100 Travel Stories
Snapshots of Ethiopia: One Day in Addis Ababa
Selam (Hello), Addis!
Dream of Africa: distant lands, the excitement of discovery, new experiences, and unexpected adventures. Africa may not be at the top of everyone’s travel list. It can seem too expensive or too dangerous, and we often find excuses not to go. But sometimes, chance—or romance—takes us to places we never imagined visiting.
For me, chance led to Libya and Tunisia in North Africa, while romance took me to The Gambia and Senegal in West Africa.
“In the past, I’ve visited remote places – North Korea, Ethiopia, Easter Island – partly as a way to visit remote states of mind: remote parts of myself that I wouldn’t ordinarily explore.” – Pico Iyer
From Toronto to Bangkok via Addis Ababa
Once again, chance brought me to Africa, this time to the east of the continent. I was planning a trip to Bangkok and had enough Air Canada Aeroplan miles for a reward ticket, so I started looking for flights. When I was ready to book, I found an itinerary from Toronto to Bangkok via Addis Ababa, with a 16-hour daytime layover courtesy of Ethiopian Airlines.
Perfect! An opportunity to spend a day exploring Addis Ababa!
Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 777
I arrived early in the morning after a 13-hour flight. Getting out of Bole Airport wasn’t easy, though. I spent two hours waiting in line to receive the hotel voucher provided by the airline for long layovers.
Fortunately, I had booked a tour guide online, which saved me a lot of time and trouble. When I arrived at the Ambassador Hotel, my guide, Emmanuel from Afro Ethiopia Tour, was already waiting for me.
We discussed the itinerary, and he persuaded me to travel by car rather than use public transportation, even though I had opted for the budget tour.
And so we found ourselves stuck in Addis Ababa’s traffic. Drivers watched me curiously and often struck up conversations with my guide, joking and laughing along the way. Very old Ladas, Russian-made cars, were still running alongside relatively modern Toyotas. On the sidewalks, vendors sold their goods and bananas, sheltering from the sun beneath umbrellas. Whenever the traffic stopped, sellers and beggars moved between the cars, hoping to make a sale or receive some money.
Taking photographs through the car window allowed me to capture fleeting street scenes and candid moments as people went about their daily lives.
Let’s explore the city through a series of places and photographs.
Merkato Market
Our first stop was Merkato, one of Africa’s largest open-air markets. It felt like stepping onto another planet. Neither photographs nor words can fully convey the atmosphere of this place. You simply have to experience it for yourself.
Merkato Market
Itegue Taitu Hotel
It was time for lunch at Itegue Taitu Hotel, considered Ethiopia’s oldest hotel, dating back to 1905.
Here, I tried traditional Ethiopian food served buffet-style. The meal included injera, a spongy flatbread served with a variety of vegetable and meat dishes and sauces. Eating with your hands, as is customary, made the experience even more enjoyable.
After a good meal, a cold Habesha Gold beer was a welcome treat!
Mount Entoto
After lunch, we drove up Mount Entoto, a sacred site associated with the Entoto Maryam Church and Emperor Menelik II’s former palace.
The winding road climbed through a eucalyptus forest, occasionally opening up to reveal panoramic views of Addis Ababa.
One sight that stayed with me was that of women, some very elderly, descending the mountain carrying heavy bundles of firewood to sell in the city.
Entoto Maryam Church
The colourful Entoto Maryam (St. Mary) Church has an octagonal design and houses a fascinating museum containing religious and royal artefacts.
Emperor Menelik’s Palace
Menelik II played a major role in establishing modern Ethiopia. His wife, Empress Taytu Betul, is credited with founding Addis Ababa, whose name means “new flower.”
The palace grounds offer a glimpse into Ethiopia’s royal past, with traditional architecture, thatched roofs, and walls finished with mud plaster. The details are particularly rewarding to photograph.
Round thatched roof detail
Mud-plastered wall (detail)
Our Famous Ancestor, Lucy
At three million years old, Lucy is small and, in her own way, rather endearing!
Her name comes from the Beatles’ song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, which was playing at the archaeological site when her remains were discovered in Ethiopia in 1974.
Lucy is one of the most famous early human ancestors in the world. Her fossil remains are displayed at the National Museum of Ethiopia, alongside other archaeological and historical objects, royal artefacts, artworks, and ethnographic collections.
“Ethiopia is like nowhere else on the planet, a beautiful country blessed with a peerless history, fabulous wildlife and some of Africa’s most soulful peoples.” – Lonely Planet
Don’t Forget…
Your yellow fever vaccination certificate!
Before travelling, check the latest entry requirements for your destination and any countries you have recently visited or transited through. When I travelled to Thailand, I was surprised to learn that I needed to present my yellow fever vaccination certificate after arriving from Ethiopia. Fortunately, I still had the certificate from a trip to West Africa eight years earlier.
Thailand’s entry requirements can depend on your travel history and transit route, so check the official guidance before departure.
Medication for travellers’ diarrhoea
Soon after leaving Addis Ababa, I developed a nasty case of travellers’ diarrhoea in Bangkok. It was bad enough that I needed antibiotics.
Travellers should discuss appropriate prevention and treatment options with a healthcare professional before departure. Don’t assume that a vaccine or medication will prevent every case of travellers’ diarrhoea.
Safety
Addis Ababa felt relatively safe during my visit, although, as in many large cities, it’s wise to be alert to your surroundings. Take particular care of your belongings in crowded places such as Merkato, where pickpocketing and scams may occur.
Check current travel advice before your trip, as conditions can change.
Where is Addis Ababa?
Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia, located in the country’s central highlands in East Africa. It is the country’s political and cultural centre and a major gateway for travellers exploring Ethiopia.
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