Ethiopia

Land and people like no other in the world

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethiopia is one of the most unique countries in the world that I have ever traveled too.   This land is one of only two African nations to have never been colonized (Liberia the other).  The Italians unsuccessfully tried but to no avail.  In my opinion this is why their culture still remains intact and untouched by colonization.

Ethiopia is a country that always catches the minds of people all around the world.  The Omo Valley, Addis Ababa, Monasteries on Lake Tana, Gondor, Lalaibela, Simien Mountains, or the Holy City of Axum, are some of the places to visit in this wonderful country.  The people are friendly and very curious of outsiders as sometimes at countryside lunch stops we would have over 50 people surrounding us, not giving us room to eat or breathe.  Children dot the countryside waving and screaming to get a glimpse of the foreigner in the big truck.  People try to speak English with you every chance they get as food orders often get confused by the lack of clarity on both sides, but it is all in the learning process of the local and the foreigner.  Their tourism industry is on its way up and will require understanding by foreigners coming here to understand the culture and how things work…..

The Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia is probably one of the most unique places found in Africa or this planet because of the wide variety of plants, animals, and people living in it..  It is located in the famous Great Rift Valley which goes along the east part of Africa.   The Omo River which runs through it is the main life source for these people and animals and without it, survival would not be possible.

The Lower Omo Valley is home to many fascinating groups of people not only in Africa but in the world.  We went to the Mursi people’s village which are still living a semi nomadic lifestyle and practice the same customs that they have been practicing for many years.  What makes them so unique is the women in the village have huge lip plates and plates in ears.  They still trade cattle and the men walk around with Kalashnikov Rifles Spending time with these people and learning about them (with of course a guide), was one of the highlights of not only Ethiopia but this trip.

We had a chance to go to a local market in which four of the tribes converge once a week.  The Banata market has everything from homemade beer, to cows, goats, hand crafts, and linens just to name a few.  You can tell from entering this market that hardly any westerners have ever been here.  Just walking around, you often have swarms of people following you around as they have never seen or rarely have seen westerners.  Some of the tribes we saw there were Malia who had many facial tattoos, Beana with their beautiful hair clips and skirts and that Hamar with their hair ringlets.

One of the better guides I have had in Africa was our guide in the Omo Valley.  He is located in the town of Jinka which is a start point to see many of the native tribes.  His Name is Mamo and he can be reached at the following:  mamolake@yahoo.com or 0911976389.

We spent six nights in Addis Ababa which is a typical big bustling African city.  As I am not a fan of big cities, I basically just stayed around the hotel and relaxed as I knew the next couple weeks would be filled with things to do.  I did however get to see the new Star Trek movie which was shown the night before we left.  As we left Addis (albeit raining every single day there), we were headed up north to Bahir Dar to see some of the oldest monasteries on Laka Tana.

Driving north into the Ethiopian Highlands, with dark skies off in the distance and the rain a sure thing, we ran into some of the most beautiful landscapes that rival the majestic British Isles.  The scenery was nothing short of amazing and the children and people always ready to give a friendly wave or a gesture.

Bahir Dar is one of the leading tourist destination sites in Ethiopia.  It is home to of course Lake Tana which has some of the oldest Ethiopian Orthodox Monasteries and the source of the Blue Nile(which of course joins up with the White Nile to form the Nile River that flows into Egypt).  I had the chance to visit three of the monasteries that are located on small islands on the lake. The only way to get to them is to rent a boat.   Some of the monasteries were built in the 14^th century. Most of the monks still go about their daily life on the islands and stay away from most signs of civilization.  One of the monasteries  only allows men to enter to see it and women are allowed on the island but must stay away from the monastery.  The most impressive one was Betremariam, which is among the oldest and most popular on the lake. Different species of birds fly from island to island as well as Monkeys jumping around from tree to tree. The pictures below will explain more.

 

As we headed north and reached the main part of the highlands on the way to Lailabela, we noticed not only the people but the scenery changed.  Small villages dotted this rugged yet beautiful green landscape with some of the villages excited to see foreigners.  The road was windy and not paved and the weather was grey and gloomy, but everyone had their heads out the window to see this beautiful landscape….

Being one of the first nations to adopt Christianity in the world (next to Armenia), Lalaibela is one of the most holy cities in Ethiopia. Home to perhaps the largest monolithic church in the world, the beauty rivals that of Petra in Jordan. Set up in the rugged highlands, these clusters of churches are carved almost entirely from rock in the ground or mountain.  Hidden away from invaders (much like Machu Picchu), it has been untouched for hundreds of years.  Built around the 12^th and 13^th centuries, most of the structures are still standing today (including the famous church of St. George), and you can still see the priests walking around and studying the scriptures on a daily basis.  Many people flock here each day to pray.  Definitely a place worth visiting and should be high on everyone’s places to see before they die.  Look at the pictures below and tell me you agree….

A very knowledgeable guide to use if you happen to go to Lalaibela is Hailemariam Talake  (Mario).  He is one of the best guides we have had and I have ever had in all of my travels.  He keeps his audience entertained and can pretty much answer any question for you.  He can also set up all of your dining needs and accommodations.  His information is:

 

 

 

 

 

 

hmariamt@yahoo.com

+251911900104

His Website- www.ethiopiasnewfaces.com

 Ben Abeba Restaurant

 

 

 

 

 

To make Lalaibela more interesting is a restaurant like no other in the world.  Owned and run by a Scottish Woman and Ethiopian Man, Ben Abeba restaurant looks like something you would see out of a Star Wars Movie.  The Architectural design looks something like a spaceship with an outlook on a clear day of the valley around.  The food with a Scottish/Ethiopian fusion is some of the best food we have had around.  Take it we were there after dark, but the pictures I took are amazing.  Tell me if you agree:

If you are basing out of Gondor to do Simien Mountains, Axum, or any other excursion around Ethiopia, a good company to use is Simien and Danakil Tours:

The owners name is Peter and he speaks very good English and has a great understanding of the area and can tailor any tours you would like to do.  His contact is:

+251 918 72 19 23 or +251 918 78 92 42

Email:  peteradal@yahoo.com or bewelu200b@yahoo.com.

Simien Mountains

Way up in the Ethiopian Highlands past the famous city of Gondor lies mountains like no other.  The Simien Mountains with its misty fog and rain are some of the biggest mountain ranges on the African Continent.  While I wish the weather was a lot better here, you can never deal with Mother Nature.  While many people come here for the hikes and the beautiful water fall views, I came here to see the famous Gelada Baboons.  These Baboons are found only in a certain part of these mountains and are the last of the grazing baboons left in the world today.  Commonly called the Bleeding Heart Baboons because of the heart on their chest, they have a wide range of facial expressions and vocalizations which are second only to humans.  By day the graze upon the grass of the high mountain plains in troops and by night to stay away from predators they sleep on the rocky cliffs below.  While it rained and was foggy most of the time up here, I did get close enough to see how they function as a troop.  Most of the trekking was done in rain and fog and wind, but when the rain cleared we also got a beautiful look at the stunning scenery of the waterfalls and landscape.  You can see below what I mean….

The Landscape

The Gelada “Bleeding Heart” Baboons

Axum

After the time of the New Kingdom of Egypt (which was conquered by the Kush Empire), and the Kush Empire declined, a new civilization arose what is now in Ethiopia (also part of Sudan, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.  The name of this powerful empire was Axum.  Axum is one of only three ancient African empires to invent a writing system along with Egypt and Meroe.  For hundreds of years this Kingdom became a huge center of trading, linking Africa, Asia, and Europe.  Tracing their dynasty from the son of Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, this civilization has a long and storied history of biblical references.  Traders from Persia, Egypt, India, the Middle East, Greece, Rome, and Byzantium (at one time or another in their history) crowded their sea ports, often speaking Greek as their trading tongue (much like English is the trading tongue of the world today).

Of course their greatest cultural achievement is the prosperity of Christianity in Ethiopia.  In the mid 4^th Century one of the most famous kings adopted Christianity as the official state religion.  In some sources, this is the second country in the world to do so behind Armenia.  Small churches dot the countryside and city.

Forget Indiana Jones and the Lost Ark!!!! There is a church in the center of the city which no one is allowed into except a priest.  It is said (as there are no confirmed sources), that the priest guards the Ark of the Covenant which houses the 10 Commandments.  Weather this is true or not remains to be seen as we can dream and think, what if……..

A great guide to use when coming here is Mengisteab Tetemke.  His mobile is 251-912794598.  His email contact is Mengs@tetem.com.  The company he works for does tours all around Ethiopia and their email address is www.abuneyematatours.com