Sat 14th: The day started with a wake-up call from the colobus monkeys and a wash in the river. Baboons wandered through the camp during breakfast. A group of Ari tribesman appeared, armed to the teeth with pangas and Kalashnikovs. Drove over increasingly barren country towards Murelle, seeing dik-diks, a few birds and huge termite mounds. The driving was tough over sand with the road barely discernible in places. Stopped on the bank of the Omo river where a group of Karo people posed for photos at 2 birr a head. I met a boy called Wanda and four little ones with only one flip-flop between them.
The road was a bit rough in places
Tribal encounter by the Omo River
Drove on to the campsite at Murelle. Alongside, the Karo were bringing vast herds of cattle, fat-tailed sheep and goats down to the river to drink. James has a football and some shirts and shorts to give to the local team, plus some extra clothes for the local schoolchildren. Had lunch in the camp, then rested for a while (apart from a kick-about with the football). A local boy of about 12 was brought into the camp with an abscess on top of his head. The nurse in our group lanced it and removed the infected material - not a pleasant task. I provided TCP to clean the wound.
