After sleeping uncharacteristically late (past 8am!), we walked to the local Catholic church, where the service was in full session. The singing was the main attraction for us. Barbara brought her mp3 player, which recorded the hymns pretty well, but we found we don't have the software to allow us to download the material to our computer, and play it for you. We'll try to obtain what we need and post it later on. The music is very rich and complex. The harmonies have to be at least 6 parts, considering the richness of the sounds, accidentals may end a phrase, giving an African melodic character, and the rhythms mixing triple and 8/4 time with syncopation. Often there is arm waving and Temptations-like dance steps by the choir...great fun for us.
We prepared dinner for 4 guests. Baz Semo, and Ethiopian physician with a Harvard MPh, working for University of Washington, running ITEC, an HIV control activity; Gordana and Branco Cavric (Gordana is chief of medicine at Princess Marina Hospital), and Rob MacGregor, the UPenn ID professor (emeritus, although he doesn't look it) who is staying in the same flat as Barbara and me for 2 we
eks. I should say Barbara prepared, and Rob and I cleaned up. We had a great evening, and got to know the local issues as a result of the memories and discussions all our guests had to contribute.While Rob and I were running around this afternoon looking for a place that was open on Sundays and would sell beer and wine, we saw this sign on a bank that suggests that the HIV message is indeed getting through to the general population!
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