Still Traveling

By Mekonnen

November 27, 2006 3:12 PM | Link to this

I am from Ethiopia and I love people to see my country. However, you need to read independent sources on the current unfortunate crises of Ethiopia. For any travellers safety should be number one priority and Ethiopia can not guarantee your safety. Why am I telling you that? Because I think of my country as a country full potential to be tourist destination. If we lie to people to come now, they will be very sad to see how people live. I am not talking about poverty but how people live in fear. Just like you clean your house before a guest arrives to your house, Ethiopia need to do some house cleaning. That will make people’s trip unforgetable, and as a result drives other to see our country. Right now, lets be hones. If one comes to our country, they will have a hard time. And their safety will definetely be compromised. I suggest Ethiopia to be your future destination. Just give us time to do our house cleaning first.

By lovelyliz

November 27, 2006 3:29 PM | Link to this

I’ve been to Rome/Florence/Sicily, London, Paris, Munich, Albertville(FR) and Seoul. I would love to visit Africa, but it’s just not in my budget.

By Girma

November 27, 2006 3:29 PM | Link to this

While I share many of the sentiments expressed in the post by Mekonen, I must disagree on two counts. First, I do know with all of its warts, Ethiopia is safer and more traveler friendly than just about any country on earth. I know that sounds bonbastic…but it happens to be true.

Secondly, I believe that greater integration of the Ethiopian Economy with the rest of the world gives Ethiopians and their friends abroad greater leverage over the blood thirsty leaders which currently rule over Ethiopia. As such, go there. Enjoy the history, the culture and the company of the friendly people of Ethiopia while the going is cheap.

By Mengesha

November 27, 2006 3:30 PM | Link to this

Ethiopia is a safe place to visit. Mekonnen, I understand your dislike of the current government but you do a disservice by saying Ethiopia is unsafe. There are obvious places where one should not head to as a tourist, but then the same is true for places in the US and almost every other country. Infrastructure is bad and there is poverty but in no way should the country be classified as unsafe. By the way, how long do you think it would take to do the housecleaning you suggest?

By Solomon

November 27, 2006 3:32 PM | Link to this

Amanda

Not only your impression about Ethiopia is outdated, it is also a wrong and one sided shaped by the likes of your hometown propaganda outlet CNN and the other one in London. In any case, Ethiopia is most definitely unlike what you think. More than half of the world poor live in India, where do you get the idea that Ethiopia is synonymous with poverty. I think it is time to hit the air and see for yourself. FYI, Ethiopian Airlines flies from Washington Dulles 4 times a week and see Ethiopia before it gets crowded. It is a terrific country with great history and so much to see. Lonely Planet just released third edition of their travel guide to Ethiopia and they have some rave reviews about Ethiopia. Would you have believed it if I tell you, the greatest Italian Restaurant anywhere in the world is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia? You have some fine Italian food at Catelli’s and you update us here.

Read recent article on The NY Times about Ethiopian Travel, trust me you will not be disappointed.

Link:Ethiopian Airlines

By girma

November 27, 2006 3:43 PM | Link to this

Dear Mekonnen, You don’t need to compromise your political quandary at the expense of the country’s future. I travel to Ethiopia so often, and I have been there just few weeks ago. It is, of course, true that there are certain places where you cannot go for various reasons. These places are even identified by the government itself. But, to suggest that the whole country is under some sort of siege is totally ludicrous. There is no doubt about the seriousness of the political problem, but I don’t see how danagerous it could be for foreigners to visit the country. Also, I don’t think Frommers overlooked the current situation, when they ranked Ethiopia as one of the top destinations for tourists. The recent Great Ethiopian Run (in which 10,000 runners participated from all over the world) could be seen as an example. Please try to disentangle politics out of this.

By Solomon

November 27, 2006 3:52 PM | Link to this

Ethiopia is perhaps one of the safest places to travel on this plant. There is absolutely no major danger, I suggest again to check out Lonely Planet’s latest guide book and they have a section on this matter. The greatest danger perhaps is petty pickpocket in major cities, not as bad as in Italy though. The Historic Route Travel will take you to Northern Ethiopia, from Bahir Dar, source of the Blue Nile to Axum, Lalibela and Gondar. Lalibela is by far one of the most impressive engineering accomplishments of ancient time, even the Fodor’s people made mention of that. And in the east, Harar is a star attraction considered to be the fourth holiest place in Islam. This ancient town has more than 99 mosques.

Are you ready for adventure, try trekking in the Siemen Mountains, check out the Caves of Bale, or The Abay Gorge (Grand Canyon of Ethiopia) in the north.

Please read more from NY Times

One last thing, if you missed The Millennium Party, you have one more chance, Ethiopia will celebrate the Millennium welcoming Year 2000 in September 2007 and feel 7 years younger. A unique country indeed.

What can I say, I love my country and I want Americans to learn more about it.

By Mohammed Alli

November 27, 2006 4:41 PM | Link to this

Amanda Miller I will comment from the tourism point of view,yes you are right,Ethiopia is full of history and the origine of human like in this planet.Though it is a christian country it is a country to accept muselims first.Ancient Ethiopians were much intelegent than anyone else in the other continent. Axum,Lalibela,Gonder,Harar,Negash and the national parks in Ethiopia are of some of the rich tourist attraction areas in Ethiopia. Well to the infrastructures,Thanks to the present government of Ethiopia,everywhere there is much better change than ever before.Lalibela,Axum,Gonder,Arbaminch etc for that matter Addis abeba did not had a standard air port facility before the current government came into power. Security and safety,even touring in USA and Europe is not safe this days but I am sure as you have said it is much safe to make a tour in Ethiopia.The people of Ethiopia are very cheerful with a good hospitality than others. Hope the comments forewarded by some illusion makers and anti Ethiopian people will not deter your witness to tell others about this unique contry ie Ethiopia. Thankyou for visiting my country and to tell the truth.

By Lehagere

November 27, 2006 4:59 PM | Link to this

Dear Mekonen I am sorry to see that you confued your personal political feelig with the safety of the tourist Ethiopian are always respectful of foreingers even during the revolutaion.we are not south africa! by the way if you ever go to Bahir Dar the new passanger boats are mine four of them I wouldn’t invest in my country if it is not safe

By Amanda Miller

November 27, 2006 6:38 PM | Link to this

Reading your comments makes me want to visit Ethiopia. It’s not a country I’ve ever had on my radar, partly because of the expense of getting there, but mostly because of my outdated information. I’ll grab a copy of Lonely Planet and read up!

That’s the beauty of travel — it opens your eyes in surprising ways. If I had the money, I’d book a trip right away and see for myself.

Amanda

By W0RKU

November 27, 2006 8:48 PM | Link to this

I diseagre with Mekonnen to that is a purepolatice.Ethiopia is one of the seafest place in the world.We should parmoute or work for our country.Not working against our country.Im very sorry to hear that kind of langhue.

By Joseph

November 28, 2006 8:43 AM | Link to this

I’ve been to Zurich, British Columbia and Minneapolis. I’ve also been to Vienna, Toronto, Antwerp, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, and Amsterdam. I have no clue what Frommers was thinking ranking Minneapolis so high. As a place to live, though I have never lived there, I think it would be fine. As a vacation place, it is not. There is limited note-worthy site-seeing. For American cities, I can think of Boston, NYC, San Antonio,Chicago, L.A., San Francisco, Seattle and Honolulu as places above M-SP area. Paris would rank #1 European city, maybe Rome #2. For sheer beauty, the PROVINCE of BRITISH COLUMBIA! Before you leave this Earth..go during late Summer or buy Tickets for 2010 Winter Olympics at Whistler, an hour north of Vancouver.

By Amanda Miller

November 28, 2006 4:11 PM | Link to this

Joseph

You’re absolutely right on British Columbia, one of the most beautiful places on earth, in my opinion. And Paris has a justly deserved reputation — I love just strolling the streets and happening upon parks and fountains, not to mention all the culture in the city.

I’ve never been to Minneapolis, partly for some of the reasons you suggest. If I’m going to be cold, Chicago’s the place!

Amanda

By GreGG

November 30, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this

Ethiopia most deservedly should be included on this top ten list, and is as safe a destination I have experienced anywhere in the world. So, perhaps, I can provide perspective on this debate. I have recently returned within the last two weeks from my first trip to Ethiopia. As I have traveled to many poor countries, and understand the situation, I must report that not once did I feel threatened for my personal safety. As a poor country the poverty can feel oppressive, but the people are both beuatiful and integral. Yes, people approached me and my party to ask for money for food, and children approached asking for pens(yes pens!), but they never invaded my personal space, and while I oft times helped where I could, when I didn’t they walked away without any problem. Dealing with poverty in Africa is probably to be expected. But when a family, literally living in alley, offers to share their meager food with us Americans as we waited to buy water in a nearby store, you are touched in more ways than one can write. Tourism is a leading market indicator and foreign exchange earner for most of the third world. Areas like the Caribbean depend on tourism with nearly 75% of their GDP related to it. Ethiopia is only first beginning to discover the power of tourism. Ethiopia’s incredible history and culture, churches that date back over 1,000 years, churches hand carved from rock mountains from the time of Christ, incredible waterfalls and natural wonders, the diversity of the people, the warm smiles of children along the road, and people on their way to market, the local cuisine, the good roads, Africa’s world class airline-Ethiopian Airlines- which as it turns out is a tremendous airline, both for international flights from Washington DC, but also for domestic flights that easily connect travelers throughout the country, gives credence that Ethiopia is a land that holds many wonders and many contrasts. Is Ethiopia for a traveller looking for a guarded all-inclusive vacation, probably not. But it is a destination for a traveller looking to have the experience of a lifetime. You bet it is. I have read many articles that have been written about Ethiopia over the last several months, and believe that it is becomming the next must-see destination in Africa. I urge anyone with an adventuresome spirit, or one that truly wants to have an authentic African experience to make their plans to visit Ethiopia, especially in 2007, as the African Millennium will provide additional reasons to celebrate and enjoy the country.