The Taitu is the hotel my Italian and I stayed in while we were in Addis Ababa. We both really liked it and I would recommend it to others of you that might visit Addis Ababa someday. Built at the whim of Empress Taitu in 1907, it is the oldest hotel in Addis, and the … Continue reading
Category Archives: Ethiopia
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, as Africa’s fourth-largest city, is massive and incoherent. It’s probably easiest when broken down into districts and neighborhoods and I have divided some posts up by district – such as the Merkato or Meskal Square – to reflect this reality. However, this post is about the areas of Addis Ababa that can’t be … Continue reading
The Blue Nile Outlet
One does not visit the outlet of the Blue Nile to say hello to the river. One visits it to say goodbye to Lake Tana’s water and wish it well on its 5223 km journey to the Mediterranean (Along the way, it connects with the White Nile in Khartoum, Sudan). And you may even see … Continue reading
An Outlaw’s Cave in Ethiopia
While exploring the Entoto Mountains, my Italian and I were approached by a local boy who, after a brief conversation, offered to show us an “outlaw’s cave” in the woods. Eleonora was slightly reluctant, but I interrupted with, “Yes. Absolutely. Please show us.” And so we were led through the woods along a route I … Continue reading
Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela
Resting all on its own, south and west of the northwestern and southeastern groups of churches, is what is perhaps Lalibela’s most interesting church, Bet Giyorgis. Representing the apogee of the rock-hewn tradition, the Bet Giyorgis is the most visually perfect church in Lalibela – a 15m-high three-tiered plinth in the shape of a Greek … Continue reading
The Entoto Mountains And The Tree Plantations Of Ethiopia
I couldn’t explain to you why I found these tree plantations outside Addis Ababa interesting. But I did. They’re located in the Entoto Mountains overlooking Addis Ababa and you can get there easily by catching a minibus along Entoto Avenue, which for two birr (like 15 cents) will take you to Entoto Church. When you … Continue reading
The Merkato, Addis Ababa
Wading into the market chaos just west of the center known as the Merkato can be a rewarding experience if you enter with the right frame of mind. You may find the most eloquent aroma wafting from precious incense. And you may also find that your wallet has been stolen and that your shoes are … Continue reading
The Velvet Rocket 