A journey into Addis

October 22:

Stepping out the back door of the 777, down the steep stairs and onto the tarmac, we have arrived in Ethiopia! We meet our gracious host Dawit. He is holding a sign for us that reads "MJ and Stephanie." To Addis Ababa we go! Buildings and signs galore. There's a half of an airplane that appears to be a cafe in the midst of these building and pedestrians flooding the streets. We check into our guest house provided by Keffa Coffee, change and set out for lunch. We are offered every kind of cuisine you can think of but naturally we settle on Ethiopian food. Pulling up to the restaurant there is a window and behind it are three gentleman and what appears to be lamb or sheep that have been recently slaughtered and is now hanging on display. We order a delicious combination or many things including, shiro, kifto, tibs and a leg of lamb, this dish is so colorful! We also order a local beer, St. George's (pronounced Ghee-Or-guess). The food is phenomenal and the beer is just alright. The 3 of us ate and drank like royalty for $6 total , yes $6. Next stop a drive through the city and into the Merkato. What more can a woman ask for? The driving here is slow but intense, there is an understanding to the road that I can not comprehend. 6 lanes of traffic the largest roundabouts you've ever seen and stop lights that are no longer functional. It seems you just keep driving and some how you manage to be dent free in the end. I will however take a pass and not try my hand behind the wheel. We approach the highest point of the city, round the corner and get stuck in traffic. There are donkeys carrying produce and things of all sizes and shapes on their back weaving in and out of the cars, trucks and mini buses filled with people moving across town, sheep herders on the side of the road selling their live stock, men carrying live chickens tied to a string, needless to say this part of the city is bustling and there is a lot to take in. We arrive in the Merkato and the sun is ablaze. We park and enter the masses, watch your step though, the streets are dirty and in places have been wet down creating little mud piles, fermenting garbage and produce provide the air with scents that are less than pleasant and on top of that add diesel fuel and you are in the Merkato. It may sound unpleasant but there is something very pure and beautiful about the atmosphere. This place is amazing, there are sections for everything you can imagine. We don't spend a whole lot of time looking at things closely but we do meet Dawit's uncle, take a few photos and I make my first barter, sunglasses (I foolishly forgot mine at home). After leaving the Merkato we get the grand city tour before the two of us nearly pass out in Dawit's car. Well one of us actually did (some of you can guess... MJ). Off to sleep and hope to recover from the lack there of.