A Visit to Ethiopia
Written: Dec 04 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Ethiopia is inexpensive with kind loving people who are ready to help.
Cons: The poor will always be with us!
The Bottom Line: Visit Ethiopia! Comparing cultures and people is invigorating to the soul and mind. Remember that the western world has some of the most blessed people in the world.
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| tinytommy's Full Review: Ethiopia |
When I was leaving Uganda, a welcome glitch developed. I would have a 27 hour layover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia before my Ethiopian Airlines flight to Washington DC. I expected the layover to be fraught with problems such as money exchange, a visa, transportation, food, hotel, etc… Despair not! Ethiopian Airlines handled all the minute details. My apprehension about arriving without a visa was quickly solved as I was issued a “transient visa” which was good for one and a half days. The airline selected the Wabi Shebelle Hotel and had us whisked there by coach.
The modern airport parking lot was filled with small yellow taxis, both Ladas from Russia and the ubiquitous Fiat. Identity could be gained only by reading the emblems.
The Wabi, an aging but clean structure, welcomed us with open arms and a sharp salute from the doorman who was dressed in more braid than a general. The platform in a shaft type elevator slowly transported me to the tenth floor where a balcony outside my suite, allowed me a night view of the modern streets and the beautiful lights of the millennium celebrations. The Ethiopian calendar differs from the one of the western world leaving them seven years behind our accounting of time.
After experiencing the outdated infrastructure of Uganda, the modern structures and good streets in Addis Ababa were a welcome change. Having a day of leisure, allowed us to contract with a tour guide who was headquartered in the hotel, for a tour of the city. We agreed on a fifty dollar (US) fee and were whisked out a side door to his waiting Mercedes, for the four hour venture. Our guide was fluent in English and tried to exhibit “Americanization” with his selection of music. He was certain we were country types and played the tape until it lapsed as we looked at government buildings, the embassy, and statues.
One “must see” point of interest is the first provincial capitol, where His Excellency, The Emperor Mialik and Emperess Tiatu lived 188 years ago. It is now an Orthodox church where displays that cover the years and give a history of Ethiopia may be found. The entrance was 30 Ethiopian Birrs ($3.50 US). We had no Ethiopian money but traded with the guide to pay our expenses, which we’d repay in dollars at the tour’s end. An English speaking clergyman explained the displays.
A 5,500 feet tall mountain above the city, where donkeys and women act as beast of burden hauling firewood, gives a good view of Addis Ababa below. Shepherds watch their flocks of sheep as they graze and are acclimated to tourist from whom they solicit money for photo opportunities. Growing on the mountainside were copious quantities of a shrub which our guide called “Vicks Salve.” It was an odoriferous plant from the mint family used to treat colds and grippe. Individuals could be seen with the green leaf protruding from a nostril as they bustled around town.
Folk lore tells us that the Empress wished to move to this area of Ethiopia in search of a more beautiful landscape. Here she found a beautiful yellow flower which they called “new flower,” Addis Ababa in their language.
To conclude our tour, the guide took us to a gift shop which was special for tourist. We tried to get him to stop closer to the old capitol but were instead directed to his favored spots which no doubt gave him a commission. Silver did seem a bargain, even though the prices in the hotel gift shop were better. The accommodating guide allowed us to add time to his telephone so calls to the USA could be made. Internet was also provided for a fee. I understood them to say “a dollar an hour.” The fee was eight dollars an hour for Internet service. The dial up connection was good.
The Wabi had good food. We ate four times with them from the buffet and were reminded in a timely manner that it was time to go. Our bus was on time to get us back to the modern airport facility where the 767 awaited us.
As I returned the snappy salute of the doorman who handled my bags and smiled, I thought, “This is a country coming of age. They have great resources and kind loving people. Sure they have beggars and some crime, but so do most of the cities of the world. They were fortunate to have resisted the colonization by European countries after WWII. That puts Ethiopia 40 years ahead of most African countries who are still trying to dig out.”
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Seniors
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
tinytommy
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Member: tom vancel
Location: thomasville, ga
Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 0 members
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