Babagayu: Family time

Babagayu is the SIM retreat centre about 1.5 hours outside of Addis.  It used to function more fully as a guesthouse where meals were served but presently there are no managers living there.  It could certainly use some extra love and attention but we still were blessed by our 3 nights there.   

We were able to stay in the largest cabin ... actually it is bigger than our house in Gesses.  It had 3 bedrooms and a large living room and kitchen so we could prepare our meals in our cabin.  This is the only cabin that has a kitchen so all other guests would have to prepare their meals at the main kitchen.

I had prepared all meals ahead of time so it really felt like a relaxing weekend.  We arrived on Friday afternoon and settled in.

Saturday, we spent most of the day at the lakeside.  It is a crater lake so is deep and cold but the oldest 4 children all bravely jumped in (with lifejackets!).  Rolf took the kids canoeing as well while I spent most of the time with Sonia on the grass watching.

Our friends, Petros & Blain joined us for 2 nights with their son Bereket.  They stayed in our cabin with us and we were able to catch up on their lives and make some memories.  Bereket was so happy to get a canoe ride also!

 We packed up Tuesday morning and headed back to Addis.  A quick stop for some ice cream cones and groceries and then back to the CMF compound where we are staying until Friday.

Brrr ... it is still cold here but we do have electricity and enjoyed a lovely visit with our dear friend Sandra and a visiting friend of hers as well.   They arrived to our apartment shortly after we did and had pizza and salad.  (My first salad in 2 months!!!)

Each morning, we could see the tilapia fish at the surface of the lake.  For some reason though they were difficult to catch with a fishing rod.  (Though Joel did try).  So instead we bought several kilos of fish from a local fisherman at $3 a kilo.  It made for a delicious supper. 

It is always fun birdwatching at Babagayu especially watching the kingfisher, herons, and pelicans diving for fish.  Lots of tiny colorful birds as well though I can't name them all.

I asked each of the kids to choose a special spot to pose at and here is what they came up with.  Of course Kalia and Ariana wanted to pose with Sonia as well. And then I decided I should take 1 year old pictures of Sonia as well.

The kids enjoyed canoeing with their dad and several of them jumped out of the canoe and swam to the dock.