What an amazing experience. Yesterday, after a 17 hour flight, I returned home from a trip to Ethiopia. I stayed mostly in the capital City, Addis Ababa, where the Black Lion Hospital was. During the weekdays I spent my time at the hospital teaching the physiotherapists material related to the neck and upper back. They are a wonderful group and I had an amazing time with them.
Here is a picture of one of the groups discussing a case scenario during our mentoring session.
Here are some pictures of the rehab building and the PT clinic inside. This is where we spent most of our time in lectures and group mentoring sessions. The first picture below is the inside of the rehab building. Since electricity is unreliable they build this indoor circular ramp to allow the transfer of bed bound patients from one floor to the next in case the elevators didn't work.
This picture above is the main entrance to the Black Lion Hospital. Below are some other buildings in the hospital complex. There was a small cafeteria in one of the buildings that was always packed during lunch time. They served this amazing fruit juice drink called Spris Juice. (See below) It was layered with mango, strawberry, and avacado fruit slush. They gave you a half a lime to temper the sweetness. Sadly, I held off till my last day there to try it since I had heard it made some 'faringis' (foreigner) sick. It was one of the best fruit smoothies I've ever tasted.
Another favorite dish I grew to love is the main food they eat, called Injera. Its a spongy bread that they make in a large platter and pile different kinds of lentils, vegatables, meats, and curries. Everyone eats out of the same plate with their right hand. I was craving it by the time I left. mmmmmmm.....
