Addis Ababa
Overview
Near the center of the country at an elevation of 7 600 ft/2 500 m capital city Addis Ababa (pop. 1 739 000) sits in a narrow valley in the shadow of impressive Mt. Entotto. Founded in 1880 Addis, which means "New Flower" in the the native language of amharic, is a fairly new city whose impressive monuments of colonial architecture are dispersed amid stretches of sun-bleached shacks and empty lots. The smoky pine-covered hills surrounding Addis add to the enjoyment of walking the city streets especially in the evening or early morning. While there see the Emperor's Palace and the Imperial Zoo (when we were last there they allowed visitors to pet the cheetahs). Other sights include the Menelik II Mausoleum located in a cellar under a small church on a hill overlooking the city's priest will open the church for you Africa Hall (a convention hall with beautiful stained glass made by the famous ethioian artist, Afowerk tekle) Lion Park the Ethiopian Museum (archaeological displays) the Great Mosque the Lion of Judah statue and the octagonal Church of St. George (built in 1896 try to attend a service to hear the incredible chanting and music of the orthodox christians as they praise the lord in the ancient language of Geez). The mercato a colorful 10-sq-mi/26-sq-km open market offers everything from food to paintings of biblical scenes. Check with local advisers before you go however as violent clashes between rival Muslim leaders in the area of the ...more
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General Weather
Because of its high elevation, Addis can get chilly at night. Save your T-Shirts only for day time.
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General Nightlife
If you want to drink the national drink of Ethiopia, you have to try the 'tej' which brewed from honey. You can also try 'tela' which is like a beer. All kind of drinks are available in all the bars, from blue label to vodka. A warning to male travellers, outside of the Gaslight, The Blackrose and other expat haunts, women in Ethiopian nightclubs are almost all prostitutes. The Concorde and Memos are particulary famous in this regard.
[Edit]General Shopping
Merkato. The merkato is the largest outdoor market in the world, and you can get anything from tourist goods (t-shirts, wood crafts, etc.) to fabric to metal goods there. Haggling and bargaining are standard procedure, and foreigners (especially those of European ancenstry) should expect to be charged higher prices. To ensure a positive experience, maintain a sense of humor, don't be afraid to negotiate aggressively, and above all don't let yourself be bullied the many "brokers" who frequent the market, and will try to steer you towards certain stores in exchange for a kick-back from the merchant. You will be able to negotiate lower prices if you can avoid brokers, and especially if you have a local friend or guide to buy things on your behalf.
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