Info about Gilgel Beles

I have been in contact with a volunteer who was in Gilgel Beles a year ago. He doesn't know what it is like now, but here is some information he has given me in answer to my questions:

• You pronounce Gilgel Beles: Gil (as in a fish gill); gel (as in jel like jelly); Beles (=bellez).
• Gilgel Beles College of Teachers Education is a new college (opened February 2005.)
• Where I might be staying: residence in the college campus has greater facilities than the accommodation in the town (including spacious houses, cold showers and “flush” toilets).
• The college (at August 2006) did not have any internet facilities.
• There was a small internet cafe in the town with extremely unreliable dial-up connection.
• you can buy toilet paper in any town or village in Ethiopia.

The journey to and from the capital city also sounds fun:

"The journey to Gilgel Beles from Addis Ababa is split over two days (first day: 12 hour journey, Addis Ababa to Chagni; second day: 1-2 hours journey, Chagni to Gilgel Beles).
There is no direct bus from Gilgel Beles to Addis Ababa; and the return journey may involve three or more bus journeys (depending on availability of buses!) Most likely first day: Gilgel Beles to Chagni / Kosober; then to Debre Markos (total 6-8 hours); second day: Debre Markos to Addis Ababa (total 6-8 hours). "

On Malaria:

"I did not have any malarial problems; although most staff and students in Gilgel Beles do. I used a mosquito net (over windows, door and bed); I also took larium malaria tablets. "

Language:

"The native language of Gilgel Beles is not Amharic. However, the majority of the residents speak Amharic (as they are not originally from the area). The ‘locals’ speak Gumuz, and various other languages from the Benishangul-Gumuz region. English is not widely spoken. The only people who speak English are the Gilgel Beles College academic staff and some other teachers and government workers in the town. "