A visit to Key Afer market was a colourful affair.  With locals from the Hamer, Banna, and Ari tribes congregating to sell their wares, the market was full of bustle and good cheer.  Some were there for serious business.  In the cattle yards bulls with intimidating horns waited patiently while their owners engaged in intense negotiations.  In the main market area jewellery, skins, and decorated gourds were lain out.  Here the women were in charge.  Many of the interactions were as much social as commercial.  It was a chance for relatives that live apart to catch up on family news, for friends to share gossip, to meet potential partners, and to picnic under the trees.

That afternoon we set up camp in a lovely tree-filled site just outside of Turmi.  We were to camp for the next 3 nights.  It was my first time camping in about 10 years.  Luckily our trusty guide and drivers set up the tents for us, complete with cosy mattresses, sleeping bags and pillows. I had been expecting to share a tent with another member of the group as my single supplement only covered the nights spent in hotels, but up went a tent of my very own.  I slept as soon as my head hit the pillow.