Around town in Addis

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The street outside our hotel.
The street outside our hotel.

People keep asking what things are like in Addis Ababa. Words cannot begin to explain it. It’s an endless stream of people. It’s also very, very polluted. There’s some development, but right alongside it is extreme poverty. And the traffic…Oh, the traffic…

You are not allowed to take pictures of any government buildings. Even banks. I know this because Ron, a member of our travel group, inadvertently tried to bring his camera into the bank. The armed guards confiscated it. Our tour guide argued with them for a minute in Amharic. Later, he told us that he asked them why they thought we’d be interested in any of the bank’s security. “Look at them,” he said – referencing our white skin. “They have dollars. Do you think they’re interested in stealing birr?” The dollar has huge buying power in Ethiopia. When we were there, one hundred dollars was equal to about 1,250 birr. He had a very valid point. The armed guard just smiled at him and took Ron’s camera anyway. He did get the camera back once we left, by the way.

It’s considered bad form to take pictures of people in Ethiopia without their permission. In an attempt to honor their culture, I tried to limit my photos to buildings and scenery because of this. That’s why there aren’t very many people pictures. But believe me – there were tons of people in the city!

Markets & Shops

Yes, those are fresh (and not-so-fresh) bananas hanging in the storefront.
Yes, those are fresh (and not-so-fresh) bananas hanging in the storefront.
A small series of shops where I bought a basket for injera bread and a coffee pot. Anyone going to Addis MUST visit these stores! You can contact me for specific directions.
A small series of shops where I bought a basket for injera bread and a coffee pot. Anyone going to Addis MUST visit these stores! You can contact me for specific directions.
Another must-visit store was the handmade jewelry shop. Again, feel free to contact me for directions.
Another must-visit store was the handmade jewelry shop. Again, feel free to contact me for directions.
An open-air market. Although not pictured, there was a plethora of livestock. Especially meat-goats.
An open-air market. Although not pictured, there was a plethora of livestock. Especially meat-goats.

Around the city

Most houses and buildings are surrounded with walls. If you look closely, theres broken glass embedded in the top of the wall. They take their security seriously!
Most houses and buildings are surrounded with walls. If you look closely, there's broken glass embedded in the top of the wall. They take their security seriously!
Gotta include a shot of Addis Ababa Bible College!
Gotta include a shot of Addis Ababa Bible College!
A shot of the skyline
A shot of the skyline
Normally this street was much busier.
Normally this street was much busier.
Pepsi and Coke signs were prevalent - even in the countryside!
Pepsi and Coke signs were prevalent - even in the countryside!

More pictures coming soon…

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Matt Todd

Howdy. I'm Matt. My wife, Christy, and I have four kids and two dogs, I'm passionate about orphan care. I'm a die-hard fan of the Evansville Aces, the Indiana Hoosiers, and Star Wars. I'm trying to live life by the Todd family motto: "It behooves us to live!"
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