My First Trip To Africa
The First View of Africa short before landing in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sep 2012
My very first trip abroad came rather late. I was 18 short before graduation from a high-school. Nevertheless, since a little kid, I was dreaming of exploring the world and chasing adventures.
Fast forward to 2012, and here I am seating in an airplane on my way to join Mt. Kilimanjaro Expedition 2012, which Alex and I organize.
Stop Over In Addis Abeba
When I was checking flight opportunities to Kilimanjaro Airport, I was happy to discover a stop over for a full day in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, is possible without any surcharge or conflict with our Tanzanian trip schedule. All I needed is to leave the office a day earlier and a transit visa. It turns out that the fee for the visa includes paid hotel for a day.
Green, green Ethiopia. This is the first scene of Africa, and I love it!
Upon my checked-in at the hotel, I left most of my luggage to move freely. Equipped only with my camera & GPS map I rushed to explore the urban life of Addis Ababa. I was just about to leave the hotel lobby when I met a Chinese girl who happen to have a similar schedule as me. She kindly asked me to join in the city exploration. Well, it's always nice to have somebody to talk with...
Lada in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sep 2012
The streets of Addis Ababa are really empty. If you come across a car it's most likely going to be an old Russian Lada taxi from the '70s.
We enter the nearby church and I was surprised to see so many pilgrims, almost everybody was covered in a white scarf. I am asking some of the locals, but it's hard to find anybody who can speak any foreign language.
Addis Ababa Guide, Ethiopia, Sep 2012
As if from nowhere this boy appeared and start talking to us. Asking us about our origin…Almost made him believe I was from China :)
He told us a fun fact. Today the official date in the world is Sep 2nd, 2012, but in Ethiopia is Sep 2n, 2005. So I ended up being 7 years younger. Me likeeeee!
On top of it, yesterday (Sep 1st) was the New Year in Addis and today is one of the biggest holidays in the country. Now I get why all official offices are closed...
Oftentimes I find myself searching in the list of "must-see" sightseeing and doing all my best to stick to the initial plan of traveling I schedule. This time it wanted to be different. I wanted to explore Addis Ababa without knowing anything about it. Even I hope to get lost for a while...The GPS should be the tool to make sure I can find my way back for my flight to Tanzania on time.
There are places like this...
Park Across UN House, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sep 2012
...and just on the other side of the street like this.
Ethiopia, Sep 2012
I recall somebody was insdie the church claimed that turtle age to be 150+.
Pilgrims are easy to see everywhere. Ethopia is predominantly a christian orthodox country. What a surprise.
We visited St. George's Church. It is impressive to see the guardians of the church. 150+ old turtles walking around the yard. Another interesting fact is that the "ordinary" people do their daily prayers outside of the building by looking at any wall.
My guide managed to get me permission (that cost me 1 USD) to enter the church where I was met personally by the local priest totally dressed in yellow. Strange habit. In Bulgaria, our orthodox guys were only black. I was invited to visit the underground of the church and I should admit that was really freaky to see how the boy removes a rug in the main chamber, opens a huge door hidden in the floor, and invites me to enter. Yep, Ethiopia is not the safest place on earth, my internal voice tells me to be super careful...but in the end, I decided to check what's there. In the hidden room under the main chamber, you can see 3 sarcophagi of ancient kings. There are also gifts, flags, and status from around the world (Greece, France, etc.) Still, I prefer the fresh air and hurry up to go out.
Door wot Ethiopian cuisine, Sep 2012
After visiting the national museum and seeing the first human "alike" Lucy, my stomach reminded me that it was lunchtime. My guide brought me to a fancy Ethiopian restaurant where I could test the famous local food and beer. Well, how to say...it's all just marketing!
I leave Ethiopia with nostalgia, but my thesis has been confirmed once again
Really need to come again and check the hidden treasures in the rural area.
Continue To Tanzania
My "Lost" Backpack, JRO Airport, Sep 2012
The flight lands at 3:00 am at Kilimanjaro Airport, Tanzania. Really small, but a very clean and well-organized Airport. I get the 2 weeks tourist visa on arrival after volunteering to support the local economy with 50USD. The customs officer is very kind. Seems they love "muzungus" (white tourists)...or probably the cash all of us bring.
I am waiting for my luggage, and I am waiting. Everyone got his bag and it was long gone. Only one American dude and I are still waiting. A custom officer comes to us and tells us that there are no more bags to come. OMG...all my mountain climbing equipment is gone, or most of it. Thank God, I have to take my mountain boots, hardshell jacket & pants. in my heart, already start thinking about what I can rent. There is no time to wait for my bag to be found since in 28~29h is the beginning of our Kilimanjaro climb.
The American guy gives me a sign to go to the "Lost and Found" office to leave our contact points.
But the office is locked and the clerk is probably sleeping. I am really frustrated and while I start to practice my Bulgarian, Serbian, Korean, and some other "urban" vocabularies. A big green parcel inside the office attracts my attention. It looks so similar to my own luggage. I got closer and with a huge smile on my face, I discover I am safe! Now needs to find anybody to open that room and take my baby.
30 min later I am officially in Tanzania with all my things and start looking for a driver with my name written on a signboard. Strange but i find two people who carry the same notification...quick I pick just one of them and ask him to hurry up to the hotel Alex has organized for us.
50km later I am in my room, dead tired going to sleep, and waiting for Alex to arrive in a few hours.