Lunch at Gheralta Lodge

Ketachoo has asked Scott whether he wants to stop by a new lodge on our way back to Mekele. Scott’s not so enthused because he wants to get back to the office to have some conversations about how we can move forward with REST on other projects. I encourage Scott to make the stop since Ketachoo seems to really want to. Scott concedes. The drive to the lodge takes us through a Millennium Village. I’ve never heard of the project, but apparently it’s a big effort supported by the UN to solve all of the issues in one shot. The premise that individual solutions aren’t as effective as a more holistic approach. Apparently, the implementation hasn’t been executed well. A lot of people are of the opinion that the execution has been very expensive and that a certain arrogance has limited acceptance by the locals. One is clear, they bought a lot of signs – we pass about a dozen.

We arrive at the Gheralta Lodge and it is wonderful. If there is any hope of Ethiopia becoming a tourist destination it will start with places like this. The buildings are made from the local stone and it fit’s in well. However, the rooms are large, very nicely appointed with good linens and western quality bathrooms. It is simple but lovely. We hear that rooms range from $20-$40 per night depending on the season. We are all in agreement that we will stay here on our next visit. In fact, Scott books nine rooms for his stay while drilling.

We decide to stay for lunch. The lodge is owned by an Italian man who lives there part of the year. While we wait for lunch we walk around the grounds. We climb to the top of a large rock on the edge of the grounds. It has a great view of the valley and the mountains beyond. I’m sure it is lovely at sunset. Lunch is a simple buffet of pasta with tomato sauce. We decide that the owner has settled on a strategy of teaching local woman a few basic Italian recipes. The food is good and fresh. There are two other groups in the small dining room with us. It’s a nice lunch, but it does have a vaguely colonial feel.