Two-night at the Hill-Bottom City

If research were appropriate, then "Ayat Residential Quarter" would deserve that proudly. It is a sprawling miniature city. For all that, the first settlers would deserve high commendation, as would the developers of the daring project, for the courage and determination they ventured to take.
The project that had started as a far-flung residential site with only a modest number of houses some years back that thrived through a gravel thoroughfare, has now turned into a kind of European suburban town-a "bonlieu."
One feels, as one drives out of the "Megenagna" intersection, on the nicely semi-finished asphalted road, as if one is going to an entirely new town. The new rising buildings by the sides of the road, give one the assurance of a booming hard-core economy.
The CMC residential quarter and the asphalted road that led to it had already given one the impression that such an environ was breaking the monotony of life at the centre of the cosmopolitan area during the time of the command-economy. However, the limited purpose of the then ultra-modern CMC buildings or their remoteness from the average Ethiopian’s aspiration for improved residential quarters had prompted the feeling of extra-territorial possessions.
The Ayat residential area was different when compared with CMC. It captured the feelings and hearts of the average Addis Ababians. The average office worker was able to possess a house and premises ranging from a nice villa to ground+one edifice on plots of land of different sizes. One was able to feel as part of the land at best, and a participant of the city development scheme, at least.
When people had started to move to the new project site to live in their new houses, they hadn't found them beds of roses though. The kind of life they were used to in the heart of Addis was incomplete at the new place. Shortage of water, absence of asphalted road, lack of nearby schools for their children, shopping centers, etc. were among the few comforts that they were missing.
Today, by contrast, things seem to be changing fast. At least, there is no more difficult road to drive along, nor is there shortage of transportation means. As far as transportation means are concerned, taxis, minibuses, regular buses, and the motor-tricycles are operating to the satisfaction of the residents.
Although water is still in short supply in most parts, careful administration and application of electrical devices to pump from ground tankers to tower tankers has facilitated easy access to the otherwise darned essential element.
It is in such a place of sound scenario and impressive environment that I have spent the first two nights of my projected short stay. Nonetheless, one feels nearer to nature at this place, as one would probably feel the same in all suburbs. The big wind that rushes out from the direction of Yerer Mountain to disburse away the thin accumulating clouds seems at times to carry you away with the buildings you are lodged in.
On the other hand, the poor, ownerless dogs of the surroundings, that frenziedly bark to chase away the masters of the night, i.e. the hyenas, at midnight and thereafter, remind me of my childhood, when the arrogant beasts were pushing flat the fence of my parents' premises to fetch for some left- over food sraps of the dogs if ever they were available.
Yet, the sounds of religious songs that drift in on the heavy winds at appropriate times from the surrounding small churches, like "St. Fanuel" (sorry if I have miss-spelled it) compensate for that, and seem to make one's life entirely closer to nature, unlike the monotony of city sounds. But, in all these actions and reactions, administering the water supply system in the premises early morning that still requires unfailing attention to address, reminds me of my early days when my next of kin who used to fetch water in the country side, in the very early hours of the day from its sources by traveling far from their homes.
However, the recently opened Hill-Bottom Recreation and Business Centre that provides Tennis Courts and a small amusement facilities for children, caters also for high-class refreshments, though slightly expensive, has added to the glamour and hope of the surroundings, and gives one the impression of never being lost at one extreme end of Addis Ababa.