Well it's only 3:40 in the afternoon and I have had myself a pretty packed day. Started off with my usual Macchiato at Babu's next door and then decided it was time to take on Addis. Despite concerns about negotiating taxi prices solo, I sucked it up and asked one of the blue and white taxi drivers if he knew where the Ethnological Museum was. He didn't really and I could tell but he seemed to know the National Museum and since they are close by, I went for it. After a stop at the National Museum, we made it to Addis Ababa University campus where the museum is located. The museum focuses mostly on culture and tradition among the different ethnic groups found in Ethiopia. It was fairly interesting and I gave the museum my best effort. Situated in Emperor Haile Selassie's former palace, the museum had lots to read and included an Ethiopian art section with lots and lots of Orthodox Christian paraphernalia.
I strolled around the university campus for a short while after the museum. Now that I am travelling solo I get a lot more attention from people (men) than I did when I was strolling around with Kevin. Oh well, nothing too serious so far. Anyway, after a little stroll I hopped in another taxi and headed towards Tamoca cafe. This is a well known coffee shop that sells amazing smelling coffee beans and delicious macchiatos. This was my second trip and this round was much more pleasant. The last time I went in (as taken there by one of our gracious colleagues) it was loaded with faranjis! (foreigners - mainly western foreigners). Anyway, a group of them came in with a guide, cut the line after we'd been waiting quite some time and I may have lost my cool a little. This time, however, I took my time, purchased my coffee in peace and enjoyed a very nice macchiato.
Tempted to have a 2nd macchiato but realizing the importance of food, I set off to look for a place to eat or better yet a spris - this amazing layered juice concoction. I ended up walking for a very long time, this way and that, past the post office, into an area I thought might be a little sketchy but then down a road I'd been on a few times...also suspected to be sketchy (by me). I stopped at a fruit stand to buy some bananas and by chance, the guy selling them was also serving up fresh avocado juice. This place had spris! So I ordered a juice which included a layer of avocado, papaya, strawberry and guava...or something to that effect. These juices are really tasty and this one was my best yet. Avocado juice is actually amazing. The drink comes with half a fresh lime which really tastes great when squeezed on top.
Not really sure what to do next, I took my friend Kate's suggestion and headed to Edna Mall. The taxi I took, well I thought I might fall through the floor of the car. To say it was rundown would be an understatement AND my door didn't close properly so I was holding it shut. Ah well, I made it. I considered going to see a movie since it started to rain but ultimately decided against it. I ended up walking down to Cafe Parisienne to have some lunch. A crappy burger and fries - which is pretty standard and usually a safe option. I decided to walk back towards the guest house knowing I was close-ish. I saw a HUGE Orthodox Church that was pretty cool and just a lot of the area as I travelled on foot.
Still raining, I decided to take a taxi the rest of the way home. Unfortunately, I had had enough of the overcharging and despite negotiating a guy down from 120 birr to 60 birr, I didn't like the look of the driver's bloodshot eyes and was frankly fed up with paying so much for rides. I'm pretty cheap I think you all know. Anyway, I started walking. Maybe not the best idea but you know what, it worked out. I knew where I was going and actually ended up getting a ride from a kind older man. He knew where I was headed and offered me a ride. I accepted and it turns out he used to work for Save the Children Norway, had spent time at the Coady Institute in Halifax taking an International Development/NGO management course, has a brother living in Calgary and travelled all around Canada. Anyway, he was very nice, dropped me off pretty much at my door and invited me for coffee. This I pretty much declined even though I probably shouldn't have.
So the day ended on a high note for sure. I mean the day is not really over but there is not much else for me to do, especially not in this neighbourhood. I could wander around later tonight but I'm not sure what I'll do. Going to finish packing and prepare for my flight. I have the whole day tomorrow but I intend to go into the CPAR-Ethiopia office to work and visit one last time. Not sure how much I'm looking forward to returning home...it's been great being here but I guess all good things have to come to an end.
Oh also while I was wondering around, I was greeted by a gentleman who asked where I was from. I said Canada, he said Ontario? I said yes and he said he had family in Quebec. Then he invited me to chew chat with him and his friends. A nice gesture indeed...'chat' however, although legal in Ethiopia, is a narcotic of sorts and illegal in Canada and is said to give you some sort of high.
I'll leave it there. My camera died part way through the day so I missed out on some great photos but at least I observed with my own eyes.
I strolled around the university campus for a short while after the museum. Now that I am travelling solo I get a lot more attention from people (men) than I did when I was strolling around with Kevin. Oh well, nothing too serious so far. Anyway, after a little stroll I hopped in another taxi and headed towards Tamoca cafe. This is a well known coffee shop that sells amazing smelling coffee beans and delicious macchiatos. This was my second trip and this round was much more pleasant. The last time I went in (as taken there by one of our gracious colleagues) it was loaded with faranjis! (foreigners - mainly western foreigners). Anyway, a group of them came in with a guide, cut the line after we'd been waiting quite some time and I may have lost my cool a little. This time, however, I took my time, purchased my coffee in peace and enjoyed a very nice macchiato.
Tempted to have a 2nd macchiato but realizing the importance of food, I set off to look for a place to eat or better yet a spris - this amazing layered juice concoction. I ended up walking for a very long time, this way and that, past the post office, into an area I thought might be a little sketchy but then down a road I'd been on a few times...also suspected to be sketchy (by me). I stopped at a fruit stand to buy some bananas and by chance, the guy selling them was also serving up fresh avocado juice. This place had spris! So I ordered a juice which included a layer of avocado, papaya, strawberry and guava...or something to that effect. These juices are really tasty and this one was my best yet. Avocado juice is actually amazing. The drink comes with half a fresh lime which really tastes great when squeezed on top.
Not really sure what to do next, I took my friend Kate's suggestion and headed to Edna Mall. The taxi I took, well I thought I might fall through the floor of the car. To say it was rundown would be an understatement AND my door didn't close properly so I was holding it shut. Ah well, I made it. I considered going to see a movie since it started to rain but ultimately decided against it. I ended up walking down to Cafe Parisienne to have some lunch. A crappy burger and fries - which is pretty standard and usually a safe option. I decided to walk back towards the guest house knowing I was close-ish. I saw a HUGE Orthodox Church that was pretty cool and just a lot of the area as I travelled on foot.
Still raining, I decided to take a taxi the rest of the way home. Unfortunately, I had had enough of the overcharging and despite negotiating a guy down from 120 birr to 60 birr, I didn't like the look of the driver's bloodshot eyes and was frankly fed up with paying so much for rides. I'm pretty cheap I think you all know. Anyway, I started walking. Maybe not the best idea but you know what, it worked out. I knew where I was going and actually ended up getting a ride from a kind older man. He knew where I was headed and offered me a ride. I accepted and it turns out he used to work for Save the Children Norway, had spent time at the Coady Institute in Halifax taking an International Development/NGO management course, has a brother living in Calgary and travelled all around Canada. Anyway, he was very nice, dropped me off pretty much at my door and invited me for coffee. This I pretty much declined even though I probably shouldn't have.
So the day ended on a high note for sure. I mean the day is not really over but there is not much else for me to do, especially not in this neighbourhood. I could wander around later tonight but I'm not sure what I'll do. Going to finish packing and prepare for my flight. I have the whole day tomorrow but I intend to go into the CPAR-Ethiopia office to work and visit one last time. Not sure how much I'm looking forward to returning home...it's been great being here but I guess all good things have to come to an end.
Oh also while I was wondering around, I was greeted by a gentleman who asked where I was from. I said Canada, he said Ontario? I said yes and he said he had family in Quebec. Then he invited me to chew chat with him and his friends. A nice gesture indeed...'chat' however, although legal in Ethiopia, is a narcotic of sorts and illegal in Canada and is said to give you some sort of high.
I'll leave it there. My camera died part way through the day so I missed out on some great photos but at least I observed with my own eyes.
Way to go adventure girl!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a pretty good day. I especially liked the part where you had to hold the taxi door closed the whole way!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it fun when you meet people across the world who've been where we live? Small world.