Addis Ababa: Lucy's home

While in Addis Ababa [three weeks ago now], I visited the national museum. It has some interesting artifacts and paintings, but none of it is the Real Reason to go there. So I'm going to keep those pictures small. You can see more detail by clicking on them.

The brands on the top right were used in place of signet rings to mark who stuff belongs to. I think they look pretty cool. I could go for that. On the left, you see a teeny rendering of Gondar, once the capitol city and also known as the Camelot of Ethiopia. Of course, all I can think about is Gondor, and it's one more proof that life really did begin in this neighborhood.


On the right is a massive throne. The seat itself is about at my waist height and the chair is more than a story tall. They have some interesting ceremonial garb.

There was a group of school children there. That was fun because some of them wanted to see a little model city outline on a pedestal but couldn't reach. Using appropriate international sign language, I picked one of them up and let her see. The grin I got in response was precious.

Upstairs they have some pictures I rather enjoyed. Among the things that makes Ethiopia interesting to me is the history of Judaism and early Christianity there. (Did you know Ethiopia is mentioned in Isaiah?) 

 




A painting commemorating the 1984 famine.








The real reason to go to the museum is to meet Lucy. She's buried in the basement. But she isn't conveniently located at the beginning of the downstairs where the other 2-4 million year old skulls are. She's down a lot of corridors and turns to force you to see the rest of the saber toothed bunny rabbits and gorgons and whatnot you didn't come here to see are before you finally find....

Addis Ababa 2: Some views

 So what else is in Addis Ababa other than churches?

This is the view from the Hilton where I stayed. Driving there at night, Addis seemed to be an interesting mix of the US, Europe, and Nigeria, but clearly several notches ahead of Nigeria.

However, immediately next door to the hotel we see this.

Recently, a town of shacks like this was uprooted to make way for the Sheraton hotel being built. These people don't have any title to the land they live on. I was told it was not wise for Caucasians to be outside past 5pm, a caution Nigerians have not felt the need to give.

This is a memorial to the war with Italy.

There are numerous places where you are not allowed to take pictures. Guards are actually stationed specifically to deal with camera-wielders. Right behind me, for instance, is a military barracks. Yeah, that's a nice place to not take a picture!

The Hilton is near the Palace, which another place you don't take pictures.


Colorful shops on the main street. Off the main street, the shops look a lot more like the side stalls I'm accustomed to in Yola.

A public school.

My guide mentioned the problem they have with buses. The Dutch gave them these really nice buses, 20/25 years ago (above). They still run. They're good on the hills and mountains.

Recently, the Chinese are giving them buses (below). These buses he says are always breaking down and aren't very good.

After Addis, I was stuck in Abuja for several days. Spending time in our capitol, I had to revise my estimation. Addis and Abuja are pretty close to the same level developmentally. The only possible exception is that it costs million of Naira to live in even the smallest apartment in Abuja, while there are smaller shacks available for some people in Addis.






Stained glass at the UN conference center where we met. Oddly enough, the view was better from the outside than the inside -- stuff was in the way of appreciating it.

Addis Ababa 1: Churches

I like churches. Here are a few of the churches I happened across during my 5 hour walking tour of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia a week and a half ago.
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Sadly, the mausoleum was closed because they started their Lent fasting that week. Adults fast from 8am to 4pm daily until Easter. Youth fast from 8am to 1pm. Wiki tells me they fast 250 days a year, including 56 for Lent, 40 for Pentecost, and 40 before Christmas.

The largest part of the population is Ethiopian Orthodox (45%), and so are the churches. Another third are Islamic, but I didn't spy many mosques where I was.

This one isn't a church. It's a priest's palatial home. Sorry for the crooked angle - my guide told me there was a pickpocket coming up behind me.

The tomb of Menelik II. This will get its own post.

Drive-by camera work. Wonderful sunrise.

Right next to the airport: the FBI Church!