Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is a city of 5 million people.  5 million people!  It is located in the country of Ethiopia, which has a population of 78 million.  

 As I look out our guest house window, I see rooftops of a variety of homes.  Most are simple tin roofed structures with dirt floor yards, tin-fenced walls, pot hole alleys going past.  The home directly adjacent to the guest house also contains a very annoying rooster, who crows night and day.  Jay would like to buy him and have him for supper.  Ha. 

The house/yard across the street also has a high tin fenced yard with a gate and a dirt courtyard.  The mistress of this home seems to have a boy hired to come and clean the yard every so often, as we have seen him come and gather empty water bottles that have been thrown in her yard.  I would say most of the homes we can see are similar to these two yards.  But, the crazy thing is that there are also a couple of nicely landscaped homes in the same vicinity.  These yards have green grass, lush plants and a stucco-type home.  One yard even boasts a nice vehicle and stone driveway. 

If you think the driving in Williston is a challenge, you should try driving here.  Of course the streets barely fit two vehicles abreast, but there are greater challenges. There are no traffic signals, no stop and go.  Pedestrians walk out amongst traffic all the time.  Not only are there people to watch for, but also goats, dogs, donkeys.  I can hardly believe we have not hit someone or something.  I am such a back seat driver that I have had to just close my eyes. 

Most of the streets are lined with small shops selling clothing, fruit, water, soda, furniture, and this past Sunday, goats.  Yes, Sunday was the Orthodox Christian Church's Easter.  This was the day the people broke their 40 day fast and celebrated with the purchase of a goat.  Farmers from outside the city brought in their herd and goats were butchered right there in the street.  Their hides were lying in a pile for some unknown purpose. These farmers received $100 to $150 US dollars for their goats. The celebrating went on through the night.  Everyone was dressed in traditional white Ethiopian dress.

Sounds of Addis:  The rooster crowing all night has nothing on the dogs that howl.  I don't know what is going on, but the dogs here sound like coyotes.  They howl all night long, along with the rooster crowing, the music of some nightclub thumping and some sort of wailing type noise that starts around 4AM, it has been a challenge to get sleep at night.  Especially since we are used to our fairly quiet country life. 

 I would say almost everyone walks in Ethiopia. The city is always moving.  Of course, there are several who own vehicles, but most use public transportation or walk.  You don't see many fat Ethiopians.  They are all lean and slim. 

I asked Yonas about the school system here.  He said that there are three types of schooling:  government schools, public schools, and private schools.  The government and public schools are the worst and the private schools the best.  But private school is very expensive to attend.  He said that students must pass a very difficult test in order to enter the University.  Those that don't pass must choose a different path.  He said when he went to the University, it was free.  Now, you must pay to go.  He thinks that about 40-50% of young people go to University.