We began this journey in the Seattle Airport on a Saturday night in front of the United Airlines counter. In front of us: five large suitcases, an extra large travel backpack, and three stuffed carry-ons. The dilemma: limiting each suitcase to no more than 50 pounds and each carry-on to no more than 15. The solution: wear the clothes, remove the clothes and/or stuff the clothes. Time spent: close to an hour.
After this hassel, 18 hours on two planes and a terrifying taxi ride later, we finally arrived at our abode in the beautiful yet hectic city of Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. The taxi ride provided us with an opportunity to not only have the thrill of being scared to death, but to also open our eyes to the devestating poverty that plauges Ethiopia. As we rode to what would be our home for the next few days, we encountered the mud and sheet-metal shackles that consitututed as houses, children roaming the streets with candy to sell for the livlihoods and dirt. Lots and lots of dirt. Already Ethiopia's cry for help was becoming clearly evident.
Upon arriving at our beautiful house, we were met with a welcoming family, a table full of Ethiopian food and the Bacteriologically Potable sparkling water, Ambo, that would quickly become our favorite (if not for the taste than for its assured potability). After we were stuffed with food, we set out about town to visit some people and visit the famous Siemen Hotel in the heart of town to have our first taste of an Ethiopian delicacy: the Macchiato. This taste of the small, yet heavenly dose of coffee and milk began the tradition of ordering this drink in every city, after every "touristy" visit.
After a short trip to the town's dress shops, where we purchased beautifully made Ethiopian dresses for Stephanie's birthday, an elaborate and very fun birthday party, an attempt by Stephanie to make her very own injera (picture will be posted soon), and a quick switch of temporary homes we concluded our time in Addis. We sat in the Addis airport on Wednesday ordering Macchiatos, Ambo and french fries, wonderfully hopeful of all the we would see and do in our week in Gondar and the rest of our time in Ethiopia.
Keep reading to find out how the rest of our trip progresses.
Ruth
Thanks! Enjoy
ReplyDeleteWoow! It all sounds amazing, hun. You don't know how much I wish I was with you guys. Talk to Alem about the taxi game too. Every taxi we got into last year had a different name. One of them I called "Laeba" because it stole/I forgot my umbrella.
ReplyDelete