My 13 Days in Addis Ababa: Food, People, and Culture Through My Eyes

In April, I decided to travel to Ethiopia,

not knowing it would be one of the best trips of my life.

I have always felt an attraction to Ethiopia,

not just from its beauty and people,

but also from its cultural and historical perspective.

It is the only African country that wasn’t colonized.

I had a lot of interest in it.

I wasn’t expecting much from my visit,

since I hadn’t watched many videos showcasing Addis Ababa.

It was a two-week public holiday in Rwanda,

and I wanted to make the most of my holiday and have a great time.

I went on that trip without knowing it would leave a lasting mark on me.

Every day in Addis Ababa meant something different to me:

new activities, surprises, people, and vibe.

It captured my heart in a way I can’t verbally describe.

It wasn’t just a trip; it was an experience that touched my soul to its depths

and elevated my spirit.

I plan to return to Ethiopia personally in the coming years.

But enough with the rewind, let me get into the details.

First impression

Airport arrival experience

I arrived on April 4th at around 1 PM.

The airport was good, and I got my first wave

of seeing too many Ethiopians, and I will admit that I like Ethiopians.

I had a dopamine rush, and my mood was elevated.

I always feel a bit nervous when I travel to a new country,

that’s my body and mind reacting

and adapting to a new place and people.

But that wasn’t an issue with Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

I was both chilled and excited;

it was as if my soul knew I was in the right place.

Visa

I obtained my tourist visa on arrival at the airport, which cost me $60.

South Sudanese nationals can obtain an e-visa or a visa upon arrival.

You can find more information about your nationality here.

My experience with immigration was smooth and went well.

I heard my first Amharic word, “āmeseginalehu”, which means “Thank you”.

I still struggle with pronouncing it.

Just note that they will provide you with your remaining balance

in the local currency, Ethiopian Birr.

The conversion rate (national bank) is lower compared

to that in the black market.

SIM card, money exchange, and transport

I got a 2-week SIM card at the airport.

I chose Ethio Telecom, and they registered right away.

It was a quick process. I’m not sure which network is the best,

but I chose Ethio Telecom because I prefer supporting local initiatives.

It is always wise to carry cash with you,

but since the immigration officer exchanged $40 for me,

I decided to go directly to my hotel and rest.

When I exited the airport, I took a Taxi to the Momona Hotel,

which cost me 800 Birr.

Although it was a scam, I didn’t care. The cost is around 190-200 Birr.

The traffic wasn’t too heavy, and I had a short conversation

with the taxi driver.

He didn’t understand English very well,

but we managed to communicate, and that was enough.

First impression of the hotel

I stayed at the Momona hotel for the entire 14 days,

but I had initially booked for only 3 nights to check

whether it was suitable or not.

I was welcomed with love and a Buna (coffee) experience at the hotel.

The receptionist was so persuasive and cool.

We had a great conversation, and the atmosphere was wonderful.

I liked her energy, and I must admit that I was a bit nervous

because I have a small fear of talking to women,

haha (but I am not timid at all).

I then confirmed my booking and went to rest in my room.

The city atmosphere: traffic, streets, vibes.

In the evening, I went outside to eat and was astonished by the city’s vibe.

It was so modern.

Addis Ababa just took everything to a new level.

The roads are clean, wide, and organized.

I first went to Friendship Mall, located next to my hotel,

to buy a notebook and explore.

The city temperature was cool, and the vibe was clean and calm.

My first interaction was with a local seller at the mall.

I saw a Porsche watch and wanted to buy it.

However, the seller was cool and beautiful,

so I decided to just relax and chat (haha) before heading to the restaurant.

I ended up buying a neck cross.

Food experience

I went to the closest cultural restaurant to my hotel,

which was Hebir Ethiopia Cultural Restaurant | Bole,

the locals call the restaurant Hebir Al-Habasha.

It was modern, but when I entered, everything was culturally rich,

and I felt like I was in ancient times.

Everything was in Habesha style: the walls, arts, and curtains.

1st local food experience

I asked for the menu and I didn’t know what to order.

I wanted to try a local food, not an international one,

so I asked the waitress for a suggestion,

and she recommended Doro Wat and Injera.

The Injera was sour, and the taste was great and spicy.

I learned on the first day that Ethiopians love spicy food.

Places I explored in Addis Ababa

I went to my hotel and booked the Addis Ababa tour,

which cost me $ 66.50 on GetYourGuide for the next day,

just to get a better idea about the city and its people.

I would always recommend a city tour; you can book one here.

The next day, in the morning, Yohun (the tour guide) called me

and said he would come at 9:00.

He came at nine in a car, and we went to pick up a Brazilian close to my hotel,

whose name is Arada.

We had a short conversation with Yohun inside the car,

and then we met the Arada at his hotel.

Yohun, the tour guide, then explained the itinerary

and gave us all the necessary safety tips.

He was open-spirited and welcomed everything.

Ba’etta Mariam Orthodox Church

Upon arrival, the tour guide started telling us the history of the church,

and I was so impressed.

It was built by Empress Zewditu, the daughter of Emperor Menelik II.

I won’t delve too deeply into history here,

but I became a big fan of Emperor Menelik II during my visit.

The church is historical and holds a deep

and emotional value for the locals.

People go to pray and listen to sermons there.

Walking through had a deep spiritual and emotional effect on me.

We then entered the church, and I was stunned by the visuals.

I loved the art and the details to the peak.

Walking through had a deep emotional and spiritual effect on me.

I felt blessed listening to the history and walking through the church,

not just lucky.

Yohun then explained the battle of Adwa,

where Ethiopians defeated the Italian colonial forces.

I can’t express the number of goosebumps I had listening to the story.

I wanted to learn more about Ethiopian history from that moment on.

A memorable moment at the church

After exiting the church, we were taking pictures,

and two little boys walked by. One of them called me Menelik II.

I was sooooo happy

and loved the moment so much for being called like this.

I still feel happy when I remember this unexpected moment.

I immediately told Yohun to take a picture that I look at from time to time.

I think these moments are what make traveling to new places so amazing.

I never expected that to happen,

even though I don’t see myself as Menelik II; I love the feeling.

Buna experience

After the church, we went and got some Buna (coffee).

On that day in the car, I learned that coffee originated in Ethiopia.

The word “coffee” comes from Kaffa (or Keffa),

a region in the southwestern part of Ethiopia,

known for being the historical birthplace of coffee

and the Arabica coffee plant.

We had coffee, and the taste had something deep

that you will never find in normal coffee.

Ethnological Museum

After the coffee, we visited the Ethnological Museum,

located on the main campus of Addis Ababa University,

in the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie.

The museum was filled with many historical stories and artifacts.

We took a mirror selfie in front of the mirror of the wife of Emperor Haile Selassie.

There was a skinned lion, costumes,

and a painting of the Battle of Adwa.

We then moved to the room of Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife.

They had a separate room, and I realized he was shorter than me.

Yohun then explained to us the Rastafarian culture, also known as Rastafari.

We then moved to a section about Ethiopian beliefs and religion.

Ethiopia is a religiously diverse nation,

with Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity being the primary and largest religion,

followed by Islam and Judaism, alongside traditional faiths.

Mercato

Mercato is the largest open-air market in Africa,

featuring sections for everything.

The tour guide advised us to keep our phones close

because they can be stolen.

I didn’t take that many pictures, but it was very busy,

and you can find everything you want.

I bought some local Ethiopian dress for my aunt.

We then left and went to see the city from Entoto Hill.

We didn’t enter the park and then left.

2nd local food experience

We then went to a local restaurant,

which was packed with many Habesha, and I loved the atmosphere.

It was Injera with many other foods,

I don’t know the exact name of the food.

After the Injera, we had another Buna.

It was good, so I ordered another one.

Life is good, and I was enjoying the moment and the good vibe.

The tour came to an end, and they dropped us off at our hotel.

It was a great day, and I learned many valuable things.

Entoto park

On April 8th, I visited Entoto Park and participated in various activities.

The entry fee is 1000 Birr for Foreigners and 200 Birr for locals.

I was approached by a local who eagerly wanted to help me.

I knew he would later ask for money,

and I made it clear that I am fine without help.

He insisted on that,

and I said I wouldn’t give him money to see his reaction.

I usually give, but not to those who feel entitled to it.

He said he was just helping me for free, and I was okay with that.

I headed to the part where you can view the whole city,

and it was amazing.

The guy then asked me to give him a $20 tip (I expected that),

but I refused. Then I headed for the activities.

The park was very big and I walked a lot.

However, I was fortunate to meet some Eritreans and decided to join them.

They were helpful and we had some conversation.

Horse Riding

It was the first activity, and I enjoyed it immensely.

I chose a white horse; she/he was fast and calm.

Adventurous game

We decided to skip it and move on to the next activity,

but it could be perfect for you and your friends.

Zipline

I enjoy taking on risky activities that give me a dopamine rush.

My Eritrean friends decided not to do it, but I knew it was for me.

The zipline is long, and many people were scared.

I signed a paper, and after the payment, I dressed up.

It was my first time trying a zipline this long,

so I was a bit scared and excited.

I did it, and it was wonderful; I would recommend it to everyone.

It is good to face your fears.

But I did it for fun, not because I am afraid.

Archery and other activities

I didn’t participate in archery because I had a problem with my card,

but my Eritrean friends did.

That’s my day ending there.

I got a taxi to my hotel and said bye to my new friends, then left.

It was an amazing day filled with joy, good conversation,

and amazing views.

Friendship park

The next day, I decided to visit Friendship Park,

but this time I wasn’t alone.

I met a girl (Nazu) who was very beautiful

and told her to come chill with me at the park.

I first went to the gym, then sauna,

and then got a massage at the hotel before leaving.

Breakfast is included in my hotel booking,

but I became hungry after the massage.

I decided to try a new restaurant,

so I took a taxi and went to one close to the park.

It was around 3 PM. I then received a text from Nazu,

and we chatted for some time; she asked if she could come.

I am okay with eating alone, but it would be a lot fun eating together,

so I told her to come.

The conversation and food were so good.

We then went to the Friendship Park, and it was amazing.

I paid 110 Birr for the entrance fee.

We walked through the park, and it was so amazing.

I also met the Eritrean friends again and greeted them.

The park is huge, so we walked and took many pictures.

The walk lasted for around 45-60 minutes.

I had a great time there

and would recommend it to anyone visiting Addis Ababa.

Abrehot library

As a book and quote lover,

I couldn’t resist visiting the largest library in Addis Ababa.

Reading is like resting for me. The entrance is free.

I was stunned by the artistic works on the wall

and the beautiful architecture.

Abrehot means enlightenment in Amharic.

I found many university students there.

I spent almost four hours there reading

“Buddhist Philosophy: Essential Readings,” published in 2009.

I liked how organized the library is and decided to get back there again.

The second time,

I read the third edition of The Art of Reasoning by David Kelley

and learned many great lessons.

I didn’t want the trip to Ethiopia to be all fun,

but I also wanted it to be a growth experience.

There are many small bookstores near the library,

so I purchased “The Interpretation of Dreams” by Sigmund Freud.

I have a very active subconscious and often dream vividly.

Unity Park

I couldn’t resist visiting this unique park.

I paid $20 at the entrance and got in.

The park features a variety of historical artifacts, a man-made cave, a zoo,

a library, restaurants, gardens,

and a black-maned lion, also known as the Abyssinian lion.

The park is very beautiful and I loved every part of it.

artificial cave

I started by going through the artificial cave

and seeing the black-maned lion and other animals.

I loved how they made the cave look natural and realistic.

Moving from the cave, I got to view the city from there.

Digital library

Then I moved to the digital library,

which has a lot of historical information.

It is minimalistic, beautiful, and perfect for IG pictures.

They also have many wall art pieces of tourist places in Ethiopia.

There is also a sculpture of an old man reading a book

on a bench outside the library.

The entire park is filled with various flowers, making it even more beautiful.

The Imperial Palace

It was built by Emperor Menelik II This fact made the park special to me

as he is one of my heroes.

The palace features Emperor Menelik II’s crown

and other historical informations.

I loved the architecture and the lion art on the ceiling.

I spent around 20 minutes enjoying the views and atmosphere.

Aquarium

I then walked to the aquarium where I saw many fish,

including the Clownfish and Sea Anemones.

Zoo

The zoo features an ostrich, white lions, tigers, tortoises,

and a variety of other animals.

It took me around 60 minutes to see all the animals.

I then ordered a Buna after seeing the white lion

and rested for about 15 minutes.

I like taking my time and not rushing anything.

I would highly recommend Unity Park to everyone visiting Addis Ababa.

Tallest building in east Africa (CBE Tower)

The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia’s Headquarters is the tallest building

in East Africa, serving as a symbol of progress and pride.

I am a very ambitious person who loves progress,

and I couldn’t resist going there.

I went to Marcus Addis, located on the 48th floor,

and had breakfast there while enjoying the panoramic view of the city

and the music.

I went there again at night just to enjoy the view again.

Yod Abyssinia Traditional Restaurant

I wanted to enjoy a cultural dance and new cultural dishes,

so I went to Yod Abyssinia.

The restaurant is very cultural from the entrance to the interior.

It made me feel more African, and I loved it.

I ordered a Buna and then Doro Wat while enjoying the music’s vibe.

There was a woman singing, and I loved it so much.

She is beautiful, her voice is calm, and her dance is amazing.

I was looking at her all the time, and she looked back at me with a smile.

I was flattered.

I watched all her performances, and then another band came.

Habesha people, especially the girls, are so beautiful.

I enjoyed every second I spent in Yod Abyssinia;

it made me feel so good.

Ethiopian Science Museum

I paid 400 Birr for entrance and immediately fell in love

with the whole vibe of the museum.

I love astronomy and engineering so much because it makes life wonderful.

I love how they kept the museum green and minimalistic.

The museum will make a person who is not interested in engineering

and astronomy love science.

I went through the security checkup,

then got myself a coffee inside the museum before touring it.

The museum features the eight planets in our solar system,

the GE90 engine, the rooftop, and a dome.

I walked through everything, taking in the sight of the GE90 engine,

planets, and enjoying the view from the rooftop.

It was amazing and took me about 30 minutes to complete.

They play a short movie about the conservation of nature,

lasting approximately 10-20 minutes.

They gave me the movie schedule at the entrance.

I didn’t care about the schedule but got there in time.

I guess I was lucky to arrive before the movie began.

I then got a coffee after the movie.

It was so great, so I ordered another one.

To my surprise, the coffee was free.

I’m not sure if the lady is being generous with me or if it is for free.

It was my last day in Ethiopia, so I decided to return to Friendship Park

and then visit the CBE tower.

It was worth all the time.

Challenges & Surprises

I didn’t face many challenges in Addis Ababa, but got many surprises.

Here is how I navigated each challenge

Transportation

To avoid being scammed and overpaying,

I use the Ride app for transportation.

It is like Uber, and you are charged per meter.

It is the most essential app to install on your phone.

I had zero issue navigating every part of Addis Ababa with Ride.

Cultural shocks (food and bargaining)

Ethiopia is culturally rich and filled with many surprises.

They eat raw meat, but I didn’t try it.

That’s a culture that really shocked me.

If you are going to buy a cloth, make sure you bargain.

It is a common culture in Africa, so I wasn’t shocked.

I stayed in Khartoum, Sudan, for 4 years, and I know how to bargain.

A tip from me: always start with half the price

and be prepared to walk away if the seller doesn’t want to lower it,

and never buy from the first seller.

Language barrier

Throughout my 14 days in Ethiopia (13 in Addis Ababa and one in Oromia),

I didn’t learn many Amharic words.

But the locals were extra helpful with me.

There was a time I ordered a ride to my hotel

from Mama’s Kitchen restaurant, and the driver didn’t understand English.

So, I handed the phone to a local to tell the driver my exact location,

and he was happy to help me.

I had a conversation with many locals, and they taught me some words,

including Konjo, which means beautiful.

I learned it because Ethiopians are so beautiful.

Regardless of the language barrier,

I had zero issues communicating with people in Ethiopia.

I love Ethiopians so much.

Reflections After 13 Days in Addis Ababa

I could write a whole book explaining

how I felt in Addis Ababa engaging with people

and experiencing the culture.

They were so generous toward me and helpful.

On some days, I will go outside and meet someone new

who usually ends up teaching me something new.

What Ethiopia taught

Resilience and strength in unity

Ethiopians managed to defeat the Italian colonialists

by uniting all Ethiopians under a single cause.

Pride in culture and identity

Habesha love their culture, and it can be seen all over the country.

The restaurants, food, and signs are grounded in Ethiopian culture.

As an African, I love how they are not fully influenced by foreign cultures.

They learned from foreigners but didn’t shift their identity.

Walking through the street,

I always see them wearing Habesha clothes.

Faith and religion

Ethiopians are deeply religious, and they take their faith very seriously.

They have their own bible.

Progress

Addis Ababa is progressing so fast with tall skyscrapers

and modern technologies.

I personally wish that many African countries could see how Ethiopia

is developing so they can learn from it.

Will I go back again

Definitely yes. This time, I will spend more time visiting other beautiful

historical places, such as Lalibela, Axum, Afar, and Danakil.

I will probably spend one month there just to enjoy

and get to know the place more.

How you felt leaving the city

I felt sad leaving the country.

I had a dopamine crash for a month after leaving.

I would always look at the pictures I took

and remember the good time I had while in Addis Ababa.

Practical Tips for Travelers visting Addis Ababa

Here is everything I did while in Addis Ababa,

including safety tips and the cost of my trip.

Accommodation

I stayed at Momona Hotel in Bole, a 3-minute drive

from Bole Addis Ababa International Airport.

It is a 4-star hotel and it costs $40/night. I spent $560 on accommodation.

I booked through Booking

but you can book through Agoda for $30/night here.

I loved the hotel and stayed there during the whole trip.

The neighborhood is very beautiful and I would recommend staying there.

Budget breakdown (meals, transport, activities)

Here is an estimate of my expenses during my 13-day stay

in Addis Ababa, excluding Oromia.

Food and drinks: $200

Shopping: $100

Activities: $150

Transport: $90

This is an estimate and not the exact amount.

The total estimated amount I spent, including accommodation,

is approximately $ 1,100 over 13 days.

Money exchange

During my stay, I didn’t carry much cash with me

and used my card in most restaurants.

But it’s better to carry cash with you. I exchanged $100

at a local shop at a rate of 150 Birr,

which was significantly better compared to the national bank rate of 124 Birr.

I would exchange more, but I didn’t carry much cash with me.

Safety note

Keep your belongings close, including your phone and bag,

because there are thieves who might snatch them from you on the road.

No one stole anything from me during my stay,

but I heard many stories and was warned by many locals.

When walking in the street, don’t appear naive,

as you might become a target.

Don’t walk at night and get back to your hotel before 11 PM.

If you went out to enjoy the nightlife,

make sure your driver drops you off at your hotel.

I followed these tips and nothing bad happened to me.

Memorable moments

I was invited to a proposal that took place at my hotel,

and I loved it immensely.

I loved seeing two souls who love each other unite.

The preparation and surprise were beautiful; it got me smiling.

I experienced a lot of kindness and generosity while in Addis Ababa,

and I will cherish these moments.

Final thought

The trip to Ethiopia was a life-changing moment for me.

I never felt like a foreigner, and many people welcomed me with a smile.

I got stares, and some people wanted to know my nationality,

which is normal because I am a foreigner.

I remember walking on a street and an old man was looking at me a lot,

so I said ‘Selam’ and he greeted me back with a smile.

It wasn’t just a normal smile but a genuine one with so much love

and excitement.

He then said another word in Amharic that I didn’t understand,

but he was curious about the interaction.

I would definitely recommend Ethiopia to everyone.

Also read: Spending a Day in Oromia, Ethiopia: My Unforgettable Visit to Kuriftu Bushoftu Resort