day 1

So now that I am finally up to date (sort of) we can start Ethiopia, or more specifically Addis Ababa, the capital.

The first day we were supposed to have a rest day after travel but the only person who rested was dad as mum decided that our guide would bring us on a tour (after all it was mums trip. She gets to decide everything). So we drove around Addis. We drove around the busy metropolis looking here and there and everywhere, passing by churches, mosques, slums, swanky hotels and tin houses.

It’s a city that in the last few years has changed dramatically (continuously says our guide Haylom), so there is a strong mix of tradition and development yet there are so many buildings that have just been left there half built that seem to be going nowhere.

Our first stop was to a hotel with a huge garden where three different weddings were being held in three different styles. One had a jazz band and they were dancing next to a fountain while people took pictures. Another had a procession of people surrounding the bride singing and playing the traditional drums. And in the final one all the chorus was lined up holding things similar to shakers with the bride and groom in the top row and three traditional drummers in front.

After wondering around the garden for a while we went to the oldest hotel in Addis in order to eat lunch. This is where we tried, for the first time, the Ethiopian food called injera. Injera is a pancake like bread that is made from a seed called taif. It is usually accompanied by a meat sauce or shiro. It has a sour taste that is usually masked by what u put on top.

After that we went home relaxed and had dinner at a traditional Ethiopian place.

The next day we went to Mercato, the market.

Apparently I have to end it here.

So I guess next post will be day 2.

wedding 1 & 2 ^ >

< ^ Traditional restauront