Uncover Addis Ababa

On the way back from Mumbai, we had a stop-over in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I was especially excited about that since I discovered Ethiopian music back in 2002 and have listening fondly it ever since. For Mannat and Promina it was a bit tiring to stay 17 hours there after getting up in the middle of the night and flying for 5:30 between India and Ethiopia but clearly the trip was worth it! First impressions, as I swallowed my first gulp of air outside Bole International Airport was already overwhelming... The scenic view over the city with the mountains around is appeasing... I already LOVE Ethiopia! :) A little bit of a wait in the bus from the aiprort to the hotel is an opportunity to admire my beautiful daughter...

And pose proudly with her!

First images, usually the most impressive even if they might seem unminigful... This Ethiopian family is just such a pleasant image... And these women, engulfed in their typical Ethiopian coton scarves are so graceful!

And look at that welcome! Not only at the time of arrival does he salutes us like that, no no, everytime we enter the lobby of the hotel! Has anyone ever experienced that before??? See I told you: Ethiopia is like no where else in the world!!

Well, you got the point, everything and everybody is beautiful.. Objectively! One point is sure, the soft bed whose mattress has no bottom is a piece of amusement for Mannat and I who jump for 1/4 hour on it before getting tired of it!

A view of Mexico Square, with the Police Headquarters at the back:

Ras Makonen Avenue, starting from Mexico Square:

The imposing statue of the Lion of Judah, made of black stone, ordered for Haile Selassie's Jubilee on 1st, November 1955 and conceived by a French architect (Henri Chomette) and sculptor (Maurice Calka):

The statue is on the lower side of Churchill Avenue, a sort of local Champs-Elysées linking the City Hall, in the upper part down to the Railway Station shown bellow:

Ethiopia National Theatre, next to the Lion of Judah:

And the old futurist look of the Comercial Bank of Ethiopia building:

A view of Addis' streets...

Here is my "friend" Solomon, a law-student who grabbed me in the street. He showed me a bit around, eventually asking for a little financial help... Well, I had a good time with him and it was for me the opportunity to offer a coffee (Ethiopian coffee!!) to an Ethiopian! :)

Ethiopian food is supposed to be fantastic. But in the hotel, it was rather average... Medium... Shall I even say not that great?

In any case, the oldish setting was just great and added to the particular atmosphere of this quick visit!

Yrgalem Asefaw was our driver for this 2-hour tour of Addis. Yrgalem was born in Asmara, in nowadays Erythrea. Don't hesitate to call him if you happen to go to Addis and need a lift! (+251 911 664 460 / samuelhabesha@yahoo.com)

Fun in the taxi of Yrgalem...



In love with Ethiopia:

Here is the Yekatit 12 Monument (ep. to 19th, February 1937 in our calendar) in memory of a carnage made by the Italian during their occupation of the country in the early parts of the XXth Century. The carnange came in reprisal to the assault led by two Ethiopians against the Italian Governor with grenades.

The old Haile Selassie's palace became in the 1960's the University of Ethiopia. Before being crowned Emperor of Ethiopia on 2nd, November 1930, Haile Selassie was known as Ras Tafari Makonnen. The crowning ceremony was led with such a terrific amount of luxury and material means that it led indirectly to the birth of a new faith, followers of Selassie being called till now Rastafarians and being spread all over Africa (including Ghana) and the Antilles (particularly Jamaica).

The John Fitzerald Kennedy library, in the park of the University:

A "stolen" picture of the last emperor's bedroom in his old palace (couldn't resist!) The bathroom attached to it was built with the state of the art of the bathroom equipment of the 1940's for the visit of Marshall Tito.

Each of the steps of the 'Stairway to hell' is representing a year of fascism in Italy (1922 to 1945 or so, but some steps seem to miss....) and was topped with Lion of Juda when Italian were ousted from the country... Smart symbol!

Ethiopian flag floating atop the University.

View of the palace's entry:

A statue of Menelik II, the founder of Addis Ababa, is standing in the middle of the Square Menelik II. Menelik II was the uncle of Haile Selassie's father:

Mahmoud Ahmed's shop!!! Mahmoud Ahmed is also known as the "Franck Sinatra" of Addis. I've discovered Ethiopian music through him back in 2002, just before leaving from Jordan and felt in love immediatly with it while listenning to it on the radio.

A view of a street of upper Addis, close to the City Hall:

Nice sunset light:

People of Ethiopia:

Corner of Churchill Avenue and Sudan Street:

Addis Ababa Railway Station, on the lower side of Churchill Avenue, was built by the French when they completed the link between Addis Ababa and Djibouti in the early XXth century.

Yrgalem is posing proudly in front of his taxi:

Addis from the roof-top:

Here is a small trip in the streets of Addis Ababa:

Last view of Addis Ababa. Our plane is taking off in the night back to Accra. One day in Addis, but unforgettable moments. I am completely overwhelmed by this city and Ethiopia... We are leaving but I keep on dreaming coming back again!