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 | Be careful at the highways |   |  |
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 |  on July 9, 2004 |
Along the way you see a lot of people, walking to or from the market towns. We also walked some parts along the highways. At many highways there is not much traffic. So there it's rather safe. We even saw some travellers by bike. But the highroad from Addis Abeba to the north to Woldiya (near Lalibela) has a lot of traffic and dangerous bends. Some trucks and busses drive very fast and take the innerside of the bend. Sometimes with desastrous consequences. North of Debre Dirhan we saw this terrible accident between a bus and truck. |
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| Delay because of blocked roads | | |
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| on July 9, 2004 |
When there is an accident in the mountaineous areas, like the one we saw north of Debre Birhan and the road is blocked, it can take many hours before there is help, to drag away the vehicles. Here the drivers could made a detour over the grasslands and rocks. The only problem wa the crossing of a brooklet. After laying blocks of rock, most drivers of the trucks and busses dared to try the crossing. So our driver did. It was a relief, when he succeeded to do so. At the end our delay was about one hour. Back in Addis Abeba we heard many busses had a delay of three hours. |
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| Local gun culture in the Afar Region |  | |
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 |  on February 29, 2004 |
Many men in the Afar Region of Ethiopia carry rifles, especially menacing-looking automatics, as a status advancement from carrying knives. Herders may have some use for them (against jackals and hyenas), but otherwise it is apparently a men's thing. During clan conflicts, disputes, robberies and parties the weapons are sometimes fired, accidentally or deliberatly, and gunshot wounds are quite common. Don't join that crowd of people with extra air condition, but stay well clear when moods heat up. During normal times, do not worry. |
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| Flees | | |
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 |  on August 13, 2004 |
It only happened to me in Ethiopia but it happened twice: I picked up some flees. At first I though this nasty little beasts were hopping over from the mule onto my sleeping bag while walking in Simien Mountains, but it happened again a couple of weeks later. In one place the owners asked me to choose a different room because: `The bed is living! At least they told me! Check the beds in the rooms carefully! |
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| Driving after dark | | |
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| on February 29, 2004 |
Being on the road after dark may become unhealthy. First, there is the chance of accidents as no roads outside the cities are well marked or lit up; second, there is a chance of carjackings and robbery. The northern part of the country (Tigray) is generally safer apart form near the largely undefined border and war zone with Eritrea, where safety-catches are still off and soldiers nervous. In the south, however, there is a chance of banditry in the region of teh Rift Valley lakes. Lots of weapons around among civilians, but they are mainly macho symbols or the person carrying the gun is a local militia member. |
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| Overcharging | | |
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| on August 13, 2004 |
Probably you will be overcharged sooner or later. Take it as a game! First you need to find out about the prices the locals would pay for the same thing. When you feel like being overcharged try to bargain or ask if this is a special Faranji price? It often helps if not – you don`t have to buy, check out some thingelse! I always told the guys that in my country everybody is charged the same doesn`t matter what colour he has got. Most of the time they didn`t believe me. |
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| Begging | | |
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| on September 4, 2004 |
There are many beggars living in this country. The average income is about 50 $ and a lot of people do not even earn this money. Of course to them tourists look wealthy and Ethiopians have problems in distinguishing between a low budget individual traveller, a package tourist or an aid worker with different budgets. White means wealthy! This is understandable and it can break your heart to see poor people begging. People come to you demanding money. It can make you feel you would be a bank on two legs. Begging seems to be part of the local culture. Its hard not to give but I usually don´t give money to individuals as it would be only help for the moment but rather donate some money to a decent organisation. I was told by different locals I met when talking about this topic: Its not too many people begging but too many people giving! |
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| Butcher shops | | |
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 |  on August 25, 2006 |
If you are too sensitive about hygienic measures with food and so, don't get close to a butcher shop in Ethiopia. After visiting one of these shops you will undoubtely become a vegetarian!! |
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| PEEING IN PUBLIC | | |
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 |  on April 24, 2007 |
Unfortunately men (and boys) have a very cavalier attitude towards public urination. The first couple of times I watched this somewhat alarming behaviour I thought it was only truly homeless men in Addis Ababa who did this. It’s not. A lot of men do it and they definitely do this in the countryside. They just turn their back on even the busiest roads and go for it. Many toilets in bars and restaurants enforce this odd behaviour. Sometimes they have a urinal just outside the ladies toilet cubicle so they may have to see this twice! Any of you guys ever thought about going behind the tree/bush 2 meters away? No. Obviously not. |
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| HIV & AIDS | | |
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| on February 9, 2008 |
HIV and AIDS are unfortunately all too common in Ethiopia. In Addis Ababa particularly there are very high infection rates. You only need to get it once to die from it. In 2003 AIDS accounted for 30 percent (79,000) of all adult deaths. In the same year 539,000 children were orphaned, while 128,000 pregnant women and 35,000 newborns were living with HIV and AIDS. A pack of 4 condoms costs 5.5 U.S. Cents and is available at just about any small shop. Don’t gamble with your life. |
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More Ethiopia Tips
| Overview | General Tips Tips: 58 - Photos: 50 |
| Restaurants Tips: 31 - Photos: 19 | Hotels and Accommodations Tips: 35 - Photos: 16 |
| Things To Do Tips: 122 - Photos: 111 | Nightlife Tips: 6 - Photos: 2 |
| Off the Beaten Path Tips: 25 - Photos: 18 | Tourist Traps Tips: 8 - Photos: 6 |
| Warnings or Dangers Tips: 27 - Photos: 15 | Transportation Tips: 51 - Photos: 36 |
| Local Customs Tips: 71 - Photos: 68 | Packing Lists Tips: 15 - Photos: 10 |
| Shopping Tips: 6 - Photos: 3 | Sports Travel Tips: 2 - Photos: 2 |
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