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We travelled to Ethiopia in January 2002 during Timkat. We stayed in Addis for a few days and then flew in country north for the Timkat festivities. Travelling in Ethiopia is not for everyone; there's not much infrastructure here (read poor roads), but it has beautiful scenery, warm people, and incredible sense of history.
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First we flew to Bahar Dar. Bahar Dar is on teh southern edge of Lake Tana. Lake Tana is scattered with islands, many of which are home to monasteries built when Christianity was introduced to the area, some as early as the 11th century. Be careful to negotiate for your boat ride and ensure that it is seaworthy. We took a minbus to the Blue Nile Falls, which was about 1 hour (Tis Isat) -- second highest in Africa. Next we went to Dire Dawa and the ancient city of Harar. Afterwards, we went to Lalibela, which is an incredible sight of rock-hewn churches, hewn straight out of the bedrock.
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We had the unparalled opportunity due to dumb luck of walking in teh Timkat processional in Dire Dawa (at least 10,000 people)-- there were no other tourists, just our blonde heads). Timkat falls on Epipheny and is a huge holiday and we were very fortunate to have participated.
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There is a Hilton and a Sheraton, but check out Lonely Planet's recommendation for the hotel that was built by the Queen in the 1920's, but I don't have my LP book handy, but it might have been the Hotel Taitu. The cheaper hotels are all near the Piazza, however.
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The Ethiopian food is delicious and terribly inexpensive.
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Experience the full Ethiopian coffee and chat ceremony (foul tasting, but everywhere) The coffee ceremony is excellent and included washing, roasting, crushing and slow boiling the coffee, mixed with shots of araki, spicy tea and snacks at other times. All the while munching away like a bovine on the foul tasting drug.
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Published on Monday March 1th, 2004
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Publish on Facebook
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Mon, Feb 11 2008 - 11:45 PM
 by krisek
| Concise and practical. Good pix. |
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| Belize |
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| Brazil |
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| Ethiopia |
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