A Morning round Addis…

After three weeks in Addis, practically stuck in the hotel going mad, I decided to venture out into the city and find out what Addis is all about.

After pulling on my hiking boots, my rucksack and camera, I head out into the unknown. As I headed out of the gates of the Hilton, and stood admiring the Menelik II palace, a young guy approached me saying ‘Hello’….. usually, after getting this 101 times in Egypt and finding out that they are uncover tourist guides or sleazy guys, I ignore the person, or say ‘Hi’ and walk off. This time, its another country, so different people which I haven’t experienced yet, so I decided to be friendly and chat with the person, who turned out to be a nice University IT students, who actually turned out to be my guide for the day.

The day was great, we walked through the busy, hilly and green streets of Addis. We walked up Churchill road, found out where the souvenir shops are, where the hospital is, where the theatres are…. The streets were busy with people doing their shopping, or heading to the big commercial buildings, I didn’t really see any tourists around but I did not feel uneasy, or afraid, cause I was accompanied by someone who knew his way.

The streets were also populated with beggars, most of the beggars were children, or handicapped, and very often the whole family would be begging altogether. Another thing I was amazed about was the large amount of shoe shiners in the street who are always shining away.

Churchill Road and shoe shiners

We walked on and almost reached the Piazza….. almost cause I could not climb the hill anymore, I gave up on the last part so we turn round another street and headed to the famous Merkato, which is apparently the biggest market place in Africa, or East Africa… which after spending one hour walking around I would believe.

The streets are narrow, some paved some not, all hustling and bustling selling everything – and I really mean everything. We walked past the black market which sold everything from electronics, to currency, to weapons, we walked past the spare parts section which sold all the spare parts you can imagine or cars, household electronics etc etc. Finally we walked past the souvenirs area which sold jewelry, wooden craft, paintings and much more.

The infamous Merkato

People were also selling Chad, which is a leaf you chew, and apparently makes you high as far as I was told, whole huts were cutting off the leaves and storing them. I was also amazed by the ‘toothbrushes’ sold by the people in the street. These toothbrushes turned out to be little sticks which the seller carves into a pencil shape and which you use to clean your tooth – I was told it was the cologate of Ethiopia, I was also told that some tasted minty!!!!!

I was mesmerized by the greatness of this market, we totally go lost walking through the narrow streets, looking left and right except for straight ahead which turned out to be dangerous. The streets were narrow full of people and donkeys, yes donkeys, which turned out to be more dangerous than the pickpockets and rushing people in the street. I crashed into many a donkey running down the street, as though they too are rushing around running their errands for the day.

The big yellow and orange busses crowding the streets

I was exhausted from all the walking and the climbing, so Gael – (my faithful guide) and I headed off to a traditional house where they danced to traditional music and served the traditional Tej. So we jumped on one of the blue and white microbuses (the cheap taxis – also a cool experience for me) and headed off to Bole Road. We headed on to a villa, where these university girls community organize events to collect money for the poor, the people afflicted with HIV/AIDS etc.

The girls dancing to traditional music

We sat on a nice comfy sofa (just what I needed after walking for 4hours) and watched the girls dance while we sipped on our Tej – which is a bright yellow drink, totally homemade made out of honey. The drink is fermented underground for 6months and is apparently non-alcoholic, but it has the same effect of an alcoholic drink. In my opinion it tasted more like wine, after a bottle of Tej, I was not feeling quite myself, a bit dizzy and drowsy, so after some socializing and exchanging of numbers with the girls I headed back home and collapsed on my bed.

I don’t know if it was the effect of that drink or of the walking, but I know that I slept for 2hrs straight and woke up with hiccups!!!!

The day was great, the people were great and Addis is great! I am getting closer to getting the real African experience.

The girls promised me that they’ll take me clubbing next weekend – can’t wait for that!!!