Ethiopia What to Expect

I highly recommend a walk up to the ruined rock-hewn church of Wusha Mikael (also known as Tekle Haymanot), To get there take a taxi (or walk) out past Arad Kilo to the Kenyan Embassy which is a couple of kilometres further on. Frequent minubuses also ply this route. Turn left immediately after the embassy and head up through the village into the hills. It takes about an hour and a half each way to get to Wusha Mikael. The people are helpful and friendly all the way and you won't get lost. Eventually you will pass a small, regular church and a cemetry. Just keep going on and up until the land levels out and then ask the locals to point you further.

The countryside is rather pretty with plenty of rocks and eucalyptus forests. There are also plenty of flat, green spaces which are ideal for camping. I particularly recommend the area nearest the church. The region is quite isolated from the noise and bustle of the city and is perfectly safe. Just ask the warden to direct you to a suitable spot and be nice to the local kids so they'll be nice to you.

The church itself dates from the 12th Century and is the southern-most church of its type in Ethiopia. It was hit by a bomb and badly damaged during during the Second World War but the ruins that are left are still impressive, even romantic, and definately worth the effort. The warden/guide (covered by the admission fee, about $5) will tell you the whole story and afterward show you a wonderful view point form which you can see the whole of Addis and surrounding mountains arrayed before you

Beautiful rock hewn churches. Really hot compared to the rest of Ethiopia

Lots of castles in Gondar, it is cold here though as is much of Ethiopia. One of my favorite cities in Africa though

Stop off between Addis Ababa and Lalibela

This is not really a town you go to without a good reason, I came here whilst en route to the Sudanese refugee camps 100km away near the border. The town is more Sudanese than Ethiopian and as it is out of the highlands the weather is much hotter than the rest of the country. Most of the people here are Nuer, but there are various other groups in the area too. I visited in 2000 and I believe than the security situation has become a lot more of a problem in recent years.

Beautiful lake. the water is good for ur skin. the sun can be very hot in the summer. also be careful when swimming, don't go out to far. and watch out for the mix of hot and cold currents.

Beautiful rock hewn churches. Really hot compared to the rest of Ethiopia

Lots of castles in Gondar, it is cold here though as is much of Ethiopia. One of my favorite cities in Africa though

Stop off between Addis Ababa and Lalibela

This is not really a town you go to without a good reason, I came here whilst en route to the Sudanese refugee camps 100km away near the border. The town is more Sudanese than Ethiopian and as it is out of the highlands the weather is much hotter than the rest of the country. Most of the people here are Nuer, but there are various other groups in the area too. I visited in 2000 and I believe than the security situation has become a lot more of a problem in recent years.

Beautiful lake. the water is good for ur skin. the sun can be very hot in the summer. also be careful when swimming, don't go out to far. and watch out for the mix of hot and cold currents.

Agreable petite ville africaine dans le bush ... sur le chemin d'Addis Ababa Je peux aussi dire que j'y étais pour recenser des cas de méningite ... moins tof pour le voyage mais moins y'a un centre de santé et de l'eau à l'hôtel ...

It's a city with two differents side, a poor one, visible everywere: dirty street and poor houses. Another owned by the few lucky men there: big palace and hotel, nice restaurant and big cars. It's not a city with atraction for turist but for many miles is the only place wher you can exchance money or find some bottled water and hire a 4X4. No asphalt's roads souther than Langano so be ready to everything, even cross rivers in the middle of a raining season because the bridge fell down!!

Be very careful for mosquitos in Bahir Dar. I was bitten and got malaria (the least dangerous form luckily).

WARNING! Ethiopian food is usually extremely hot/spicy (sometimess less, but usually straight out of Satan's Cookbook) That applies to all sorts of dishes, even the typical western fare like burgers or pasta (be sure to ask before you order or your mouth could unexpectedly catch fire after a few bites of a harmles-looking pizza margherita) Be careful with the (in)famous 'berbere' (sauce or powder), it's the hottest thing I ever put in my mouth (and I've been to Mexico, plus I grow Habanero chilis in my garden)

This country does not use silverware. ALWAYS eat with your right hand only. Your left hand is used for other things that have to do with them not using toilet paper either.