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Ethiopia

We left Lake Abbe, Djibouti early in the morning driving all day to the outpost border where Djibouti and Ethiopia meet. Our luggage was searched thoroughly by Ethiopian officials outside the cars. We then transferred to newer vehicles 4 x 4 Toyota Land Cruisers and continue the almost no road trip for 15 hours into the darkness of night. We drove through and on dry river beds. We forded streams in the darkness of night with only the headlights of the vehicles. Finally we arrived in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia exhausted after the long long trip pf 15 hours. The next morning I look out the hotel window to see military everywhere.

Fortunately it was a military meeting in the hotel.

Welcome to the city of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Dire Dawa is a city in Ethiopia divided by the usually dry Dachata River. The colonial quarter, Kezira, features wide streets and a rail station dating from the French development of the railway. Megala, the old town, has Islamic-style architecture and several markets.

Notice all the Tuk Tuks for transportation. The population is over 607,000.

Our Hotel was a nice oasis in the middle of all the city confusion of traffic, Tuk Tuks and pedetrians.

Ethiopia, in the Horn of Africa, is a rugged, landlocked country split by the Great Rift Valley. With archaeological finds dating back more than 3 million years, it’s a place of ancient culture.

You see the 21st century with the 3rd Century alongside the highways.

When we had landed in Ethiopia the country was under a "State of Emergency" whereby over 10,000 had been arrested including 3 journalists, one being killed. There was no internet in or out of the country while we were there. It had been shutdown by the Ethiopian Government.

Ethiopia is Africa's oldest independent country and its second largest in terms of population. Apart from a five-year occupation by Mussolini's Italy, it has never been colonized.

Mattresses anyone?

Ethiopia served as a symbol of African independence throughout the colonial period, and was a founder member of the United Nations and the African base for many international organizations

It has a unique cultural heritage, being the home of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church - one of the oldest Christian churches - and a monarchy that ended only in the coup of 1974

When traveling within Ethiopia you should be vigilant at all times, especially in crowded areas and public places like transport hubs, hotels, restaurants, bars and places of worship and during major gatherings like religious or sporting events. There is a threat of kidnapping in Ethiopia’s Somali region, particularly in the eastern areas to which the FCO advise against all travel.

Petty theft and mugging is common and on the rise. Take particular care when visiting crowded public places, especially at night. There have been incidents of violent assaults in the Bole area at night and in more secluded areas, such as the Entoto Hills, during the day. Don’t travel alone in these areas if possible.

Keep valuables like cameras and passports out of sight. Be aware of the risk of pick-pocketing, and bag and jewellery snatching including from vehicles stopped at traffic lights in Addis Ababa.

These sights that you are views are on the road from Diwa Dawa to the city of Harar

Young school girls walking to school

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