Addis Ababa - capital of Africa

• Addis Ababa - capital of Africa

Addis Ababa - a kind of African Brussels, because there is the main office of the local counterpart of the EU - AU. There is even a monument to Pushkin and Tsar Cannon Street, Churchill and Niger Street, as a taxi ride VAZ-2101 and the ancient Peugeot models. This town is situated at an altitude of over 2,000 meters and is therefore considered one of the largest and highest capitals in the world.

"Ethiopia's capital stands out beautifully manicured streets, numerous parks and gardens, which are in the sultry heat of shelter residents and visitors under its shadow. Addis Ababa is perfect for family vacations and holidays with kids who like to frolic on the rides. The main focus of the tourism industry the capital of Ethiopia is considered eco-tourism "- is written on one of the tourist sites. It's amazing. I wonder if the person who wrote these lines in the Ethiopian capital, or is it just a little pereuserdvovavshy copywriter.

Walk on the Addis Ababa and see ...

In contrast to many countries in Africa, Ethiopia has never been a colonial state. Only a small period of its history, from 1936 to 1941, it was under Italian occupation. From those 5 years in Addis Ababa remained district Piazza, the Mercato market and a small number of buildings built in the Italian style. Now they are located, as a rule, offices, banks or companies.

The Tsar Cannon in Ethiopian among cacti and palm trees. Majestically, unusual unbanal. However, in the next 10 days, we often noticed for Ethiopians craving for strange and unconventional. Although the Tsar Cannon is quite interesting, I can not say anything. Even a wooden carriage, and not accustomed to monuments cast in concrete.

To say that the city is far from the quoted by me in the beginning of the description of the tourist site - to say nothing. To the cozy streets of the manicured streets of Addis Ababa as far as the local villages to villages in the Swiss Alps.

Although, in fairness, I must say that the capital gradually develops. More recently, there have launched a tram line through the city with the most modern trams. In fact, this local Skytrain, because the entire line is located on roads and highways, and nowhere intersects them.

Metropolitan railway station. With railways in Ethiopia is much worse than the tram. It is just not there. It was, but ... is not. Now the Chinese rebuilt the local piece of metal again, planning to link Addis Ababa, the capital of Djibouti. First of all, it is necessary for the transportation of cargo in ports. The country must somehow develop their exports, because economically it is very, very poor condition.

Around w / station has a foot bridge crossing over the former ways. He is one of the many areas-slums.

All that there is to the horizon, - slums inhabited by many thousands of people. Total in Addis Ababa is home to about 3, 5 million people, most of which live in similar areas.

In spite of the fears of some friends, we decided to go to the area to see how the locals live ...

... and make me a new hairstyle in a hairdresser's trash.

Hairstyle we decided to wash the tea in a local cafe. I am often asked how people relate to the fact that we have them take pictures while traveling. The answer is: we are also constantly being photographed. Interestingly, they laid out the photos to Twitter with a comment like, "Crazy White wandered into the slums of Addis Ababa. I wonder if they will be able to stay not robbed? ".

In fact, in the slums of the tourists do not like. This fellow in a fairly aggressive manner demanded 100 dollars for a "pass" in the area. Anton tried to argue and convince him to him, that fellow is not right than completely spoiled us to begin to "tour". I had to take away his legs.

One of the undoubted attractions of Addis Ababa - is its taxi. A significant part of the taxi cars in the Ethiopian capital VAZ. As a rule, the VAZ-2101 of various modifications. Sometimes there are 2102, 2105.

Addis, like any other African city - it's a solid market. They sell everything, anything, anywhere, anywhere. Often trade trays look completely unique way, more like a some Khalabuda of trash. You can buy any item Khalabuda.

Talking about that sell everything, anything, I'm not kidding. I wonder who need those old broken glasses frames and details on the sidewalk almost on the road? Is the point of this trade?

The most unexpected product I have seen on the streets. These elegant coffins greatly contrast with the place where the shop is located. And in general, the environment and people.

Although not lied. No less surprising were these CD-ROMs with software. Some programs are so old that still need to look for a computer in Russia, on which you can install them.

Press Tray and fun neighborhood of Lenin and Putin.

In Ethiopia, I saw the most amazing use of dummies at the points of sale of clothes. You see what creative!

Why would a man's head? Shoes - that is important.

Those who wrote about the cozy groomed streets all the same website quoted, apparently did not see a lot of homeless, dirty and foul-smelling people on these streets that are perfect for families.

I wonder how the four of us to effectively push the cart with beer?

In general, the work in Ethiopia bad. In Addis, even though she and the capital, the situation is only slightly better than the national average.

A huge number of people can (and sometimes do not want) to find a job.

This is one reason why there are traded on every step everything they got ...

Even children are often trafficked. And also the fact they can.

Sometimes even rotten fruit.

familiar sight in Addis Ababa - woman carries on the backs of some heavy luggage:.. A huge bundle of wood, bricks, cement bag, 20-liter canisters with water, etc. The concept of "the weaker sex" does not exist here. All are equal - a paradise for feminists.

In schools, colleges and universities a mandatory single form. This is very clearly seen in the middle of the day, when the mass of pupils and students leave their schools.

Incidentally, the shape is very different and very bright. I like it!

Girls-students.

Ethiopia - a predominantly Christian country, so there are a lot of familiar to us the temples.

That's just not very accustomed to pray. Without going inside, as is customary in our country, and outside, under the walls of temples.

While standing or sitting.

People largely in Addis Ababa and in the country as a whole is quite friendly and sociable. Of course, there were exceptions, as I described above. But mostly to the shooting and treated properly, and simply to communicate.

In Addis evening rush hours turns into a real ant. The working day is almost always ends at the same time, at 17.00, and begins a living hell in the streets and bus stops.

People stand in endless queues to his route.

Some people do not want to stand in line, even resorted to radical methods to get into the bus.

At nightfall, the city virtually plunges into darkness. No street lighting, neon signs are very small, so be on the streets in a very unusual situation. A little brighter in cereal areas, ie. A. Here the lights are burning invitingly eat bars.

One of the most lush areas of Addis Ababa - Chechenia. There are many eat-bars and mini-hotels with prostitutes.

Without their attention you will not stay here. Spud will be at every step, because the white - it's money, and the money in this country need all ...