So, you are going to Ethiopia?
Here are some suggestions of things to do - places to visit, etc.,.
Addis Ababa:
A must do, early on in your visit to Ethiopia is a trip to the Ethnographic Museum which is on the grounds of Addis Ababa University. I often referred to this museum as the "Smithsonian" of Ethiopia. They have a nice representation of Ethiopian culture - and the placards are posted in English as well as Amharic. This is a great way to start your visit.
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One of our favorite places in Addis Ababa is the Goodies Store on Churchill Road. The owner, Assefa, and his son, Tamirat, are just like family to us. They have treasures galore and are a pleasure to do business with. The other shop on our most favorite list is Dawe Emede shop which is located in Teklahaimanot in Addis. This treasure laden shop is run by Tekalign Besapa - a great business man and a friend to the SilverChicks. He has a lot more furnishings and antiquities than beads, but that is one of the reasons we enjoy his shop so much.
Favorite dining spots in Addis Ababa -
For Ethiopian food - the Abesha Restaurant on Bole Road is the best experience. I think that many of the Ethiopian dining facilities that tourists are taken to are too commercial - at Abesha, there are few tourists and many Ethiopians, so the experience is more realistic.
For Farangi Food - Always a pleasure is Le Jardin on Meskel Flower Road. Great pizzas and the family that runs the restaurant is wonderful. This is a great place to take kids, too. The Tagliatale Bolognese is a big hit and the pizza is baked in a fire pit, so even when there is no power in Addis, you can still get pizza.
For a treat - Indian food at Shaheen in the Sheraton or Italian food at Castelli's - the fettucine gorgonzola is to die for.
Must do, if you are taking a trip outside of the city, drive to the Blue Nile Gorge, visit the Portuguese bridge.... If it is near the rainy seasons the waterfalls will be running and the view is stupendous - the drive allows you to see the lovely countryside, too.
A great trip if you have the time is to visit Yirgellam, which is coffee country in Ethiopia. There is a lovely B & B. They have built modern tukuls, you dine family style, and the owners are wonderful. You can see hyenas, visit local villages, participate in a coffee ceremony. You MUST book your room in Addis Ababa, through Paul Donikan at ALL Tour Operations. alltour@telecom.net.et
If you have the time and desire, while in Addis, you should look at the lovely Handmade Ethiopian Silk Scarves made by Sabahar.
251-1-711786
A great place to buy Coffee is in the Piazza section of town. It is called Tomoca. The reason that I would choose this establishment over some of the other roasters is that they have the ability to vacuum seal the bags. There "family" blend is a great mocha coffee.
tomoca@ethionet.et
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