Hawassa, 2018: When Work Led to a Paradise Find

1. 2018 brought a surprise: a work trip that introduced me to Hawassa, a spot that felt less like a city and more like a dream. It wasn’t on any “must-visit” list I’d seen, but from the first moment—fresh air off Lake Hawassa, kids yelling “hello” as we walked—I knew it was special. Sometimes work takes you places you’d never choose, and those places end up choosing you. 🌟💼🗺️ 2. Hawassa sits in southern Ethiopia, and Lake Hawassa is its heart. We lingered by the water, watching the daily rhythm of the fish market: boats gliding in with the day’s catch, nets spilling over with silver fish; men and women bargaining, voices mixing with the splash of water and the squawk of birds. It was busy, but not overwhelming—just the sound of a community living, unfiltered and real. 🐠🚤👨👩👧👦 3. The storks stole the show, though. Big, awkward birds with scruffy feathers, they hung around the market, waiting for fishermen to toss them fish scraps. They’d strut between stalls, even brush past people, and no one minded. It was like humans and birds had a silent agreement: this space is ours, together. You don’t see that often—nature and people coexisting without fuss, just ease. 🦩🌿🤝 4. What stuck most was how time stopped. We’d planned a quick visit, but hours passed without us noticing. The sun moved, the market quieted, and we were still there, leaning on a wooden boat, watching the lake. In normal life, time’s a taskmaster, but here? It was a friend, letting us take our time. That’s the thing about Hawassa—it doesn’t just show you a place; it gives you a feeling, the kind that makes you want to slow down, even long after you’ve left. 🕒🌊💖 #Hawassa2018Memories #WorkTripWonders #LakeHawassaTales #EthiopiaHiddenGem #UnexpectedJoyTravel