After leaving the Karo tribe by the Omo River, we head towards our home for the evening: the town of Jinka.

On the way there we pass baboons. These creatures are ALL over Africa but it’s my first time encountering them so of course I take photos. (I’ve since become the type of traveler who won’t even glance out the window if someone shouts, “Baboons!” because I’ve seen hundreds of these cheeky guys.)

Aww, a mother and a baby:

A few more animal shots from our drive:

Today’s lunch — a variety of lentils and some cabbage and beets colorfully arranged over injera. My fellow traveler and I split this. Can you see why I call these meals the Ethiopian diet?

Our drive to Jinka is especially scenic and I frequently roll down the window for photos. Here’s a glimpse of the drive.

I remember the moment I took this photo below — I was blasting The Bridges of Madison County cast recording on my iPod (musical theater dork alert) while leaning out the window to snap images of this scenic Ethiopian landscape. Photography, travel, and theater in the same moment. Bliss! And so very me.

There’s a celebration of some sort as this caravan of vehicles passes by our car.

We arrive in Jinka by late afternoon. For around $10 USD I get this room for the night — with my own Western toilet and (cold) shower! Such a treat after the previous night’s accommodation.

A bright flower in the guesthouse’s courtyard:

We head out those gates below and onto the main street in Jinka.

I walk outside to look for the one place in town that has internet (it’s down at the moment) when a very engaging kid approaches me. His name is Degu (grey shirt below with his friend Abraham) and he speaks the best English of anyone I’ve met in Ethiopia. He asks my name, where I’m from, what I do, and if we can be Facebook friends. What?! There’s barely internet here! He tries to talk me into donating money for his soccer team to buy a new ball — a typical scam in Africa — but I give him 5 birr / 25 cents. Because someday this kid is going to be in charge of Ethiopia.

This area in the center of town used to be an airplane landing strip but now it’s a grazing area for cattle.

Our driver Tezera takes us to Jinka Heaven Drop Restaurant for dinner. It’s the best meal I’ve had outside the capital city.

We pass the old airport landing strip / current grazing area after dinner on our walk back to the guesthouse. Stars glow overhead.

I’m happy to report that day two in Omo Valley was significantly better than yesterday — I’ve gotten past the disappointment of missing the bull jump ceremony.

One more day to go!