The route to Addis Abeba changed to a paved road after DireDawa, and became hilly; up and down, up and down, through small villages.
The attitude of people also changed.
"Farangie! Farangie! (foreigner)"
or "China!", kids would shout, and come running out of yards or running down a hill. Half of them were just happy with waving to me. The other half held out their hands differently and said,
"Give me one birr (money)."
It wasn't only kids. Many women also did as I passed by them. Sometimes even adult men did.
As I said no, "give me the water" on my bicycle would come next. It was not their concern how difficult it would be to get another bottle of water on the way ahead.
Some hesitated a bit but still begged. Some were awfully persistent. Once a small boy, perhaps 3 or 4 years old, shouted delightedly in English as he saw me,
"This is the money!"
He might have not known the meaning correctly, but that was exactly what I felt about myself.
Kids often run after me on uphill, for having fun, for begging, or for both. While I was not so tired in the morning, I might be able to ride a little faster than them. Otherwise they could easily catch up with me. They were all good runners in high altitude. (Well, actually, they often didn't need to run but to walk a little faster.) I had to think of many ways to have peace with them till I reached the top, or to avoid them somehow. Using a local adult with nice greeting sometimes worked. He might stop the kids for me. But I was not always so lucky.
It was a nightmare when I found bunches of kids after school along the uphill ahead. I was tossed from one to another.
Nice ones and annoying ones. I couldn't tell which they were till I said hallo and saw the reaction. I couldn't drink water or stop for a rest while someone was around. And there were some people constantly on the way. The amount of beer in the evening soon increased.
Now I'm in Addis Abeba. It's the big capital city. People are more wealthy. Beggers or kids don't bother me much. But instead, I've got so many "friends".
"My friend! Where are you from? Japan!? Good, good! Ethiopia and Japan are very good friends, you know that? You know Takashi? He is my good friend from Tokyo. Konnichiwa! Ha, ha! What's your name? What are you doing? Where is your hotel? Where do you like to see in Addis? Maybe I can show you around, or help you something. Do you want to change money? Or do you like some weed? Only if you like..."
Blah-blah goes on and follows around. I meet such new friends everyday everywhere. 
6 May 2009, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, 17900km
