Photo and video notes November 1-19, 2022.
Most of the content below can be viewed in two to six minutes, while some are a bit longer, like the walk through the church complex and the 11 minute walk around a section of Addis Ababa which may give you a sense of the desperation people have trying to earn a few birr. Side-by-side vendors sit on the sidewalk and sell cabbage, lettuce, garlic, onions, tissue paper, sunglasses, potatoes, almost anything to make some money.
The once burgeoning economy is decimated, impacted by two plus years of Covid consternation, three consecutive failed rainy seasons and the civil war between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allies including the Oromo Liberation Army, against the Ethiopian and and Eritrean governments. Life is difficult for most of the 100+ million people. While a truce was declared around November 2, 2022, aid to the TIgray has been slow, tourism hasn't rebounded, and the impact of the war still lingers as police and military checkpoints are prevalent. I heard first-hand accounts about the killing of civilians and livestock, looting and outright thuggery by the TPLF, while major news outlets have reported the same actions by the Ethiopian and Eritrean armies.
I went with Ephrem Yilma, who surprised his mom, Zerfa, cousin Geyte, niece Atnasiya, housekeeper Etanesh. sister-in-law Tideste, nephews Eagem and Yabesera. His buddies Teddy, also known as Wale, and Cheramlak, aka Tobel, were instrumental in making the journey comfortable and fun.
Ephrem and I visited the 7th to 13th century built hewn-rock church complex in Lalibela, located in the Wollo region of Amhara. We also went to Dire Dawa, Harar and Gursum in the Oromia and Somali Region border region, and of course, the capital Addis Ababa. Our driver in the Harar region was Debrem Alem, and guide in Lalibela, was the knowledgeable Abebe Baye, who also leads bird watching tours. Teddy was unflappable driving around Addis, with at least one stop per journey at a roadside tire pumping station.
Most of the content below can be viewed in two to six minutes, while some are a bit longer, like the walk through the church complex and the 11 minute walk around a section of Addis Ababa which may give you a sense of the desperation people have trying to earn a few birr. Side-by-side vendors sit on the sidewalk and sell cabbage, lettuce, garlic, onions, tissue paper, sunglasses, potatoes, almost anything to make some money.
The once burgeoning economy is decimated, impacted by two plus years of Covid consternation, three consecutive failed rainy seasons and the civil war between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allies including the Oromo Liberation Army, against the Ethiopian and and Eritrean governments. Life is difficult for most of the 100+ million people. While a truce was declared around November 2, 2022, aid to the TIgray has been slow, tourism hasn't rebounded, and the impact of the war still lingers as police and military checkpoints are prevalent. I heard first-hand accounts about the killing of civilians and livestock, looting and outright thuggery by the TPLF, while major news outlets have reported the same actions by the Ethiopian and Eritrean armies.
I went with Ephrem Yilma, who surprised his mom, Zerfa, cousin Geyte, niece Atnasiya, housekeeper Etanesh. sister-in-law Tideste, nephews Eagem and Yabesera. His buddies Teddy, also known as Wale, and Cheramlak, aka Tobel, were instrumental in making the journey comfortable and fun.
Ephrem and I visited the 7th to 13th century built hewn-rock church complex in Lalibela, located in the Wollo region of Amhara. We also went to Dire Dawa, Harar and Gursum in the Oromia and Somali Region border region, and of course, the capital Addis Ababa. Our driver in the Harar region was Debrem Alem, and guide in Lalibela, was the knowledgeable Abebe Baye, who also leads bird watching tours. Teddy was unflappable driving around Addis, with at least one stop per journey at a roadside tire pumping station.
// end of Ethiopia videos //
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