Ethiopia, 5th (Bradt Travel Guide Ethiopia)
by Philip Briggs
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Book Summary Information
Author: Philip BriggsEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-07-15
ISBN: 1841622842
Number of pages: 624
Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides
Book Reviews of Ethiopia, 5th (Bradt Travel Guide Ethiopia)
Book Review: Best travel book ever
Summary: 5 Stars
I have just returned from Ethiopia and found this book to be indispensable. Most of the travelers there had this book and were reading it. As a travel book addict (I often buy 3 or 4 for every place I go, including my local town) I can say that this is the best travel book I have ever used. Bring it with you also as you will find the history and background more interesting as you go. Also, information on Ethiopia is difficult to find in the US. Once you are there, the bookstores have more information on history, culture, language, etc. so plan on buying some books. One problem in Ethiopia, especially Addis Ababa where I spent some time, is that the maps are very difficult. The author does mention this problem and has maps that are more helpful for Addis than any others that I found. However, the mapps for Addis are spread over several pages, making it difficult to figure out how to get from one place to another in town. I never once was yelled at with Ferengi (sp?) or any other obnoxious event, so this is different compared to what is described in the guidebook. Perhaps things have changed (see below)? For your first trip, it is reasonable to use a local travel agent. I used Sophia at Leisure Travel in Addis, and there are others who advertise in this book that are probably reasonable. If you call for reservations at hotels they will speak English but don't expect to make online reservations. One online reservation service was going to charge double the hotel rate. The agent might get a referral fee from the hotel. This seems reasonable to me for the service provided, but you might be able to find something less expensive by yourself.
As far as quick recommendations for your trip: bring cash unless you are staying at the Sheraton or other similar very upscale place (in which case you are not really going to Ethiopia!). Cash means US dollars or Euros. It is likely that this situation will improve soon and that credit cards will be more widely accepted but right now, it is cash that you need. The money used there is the birr and, if you get money from a legitimate place, like a bank, be sure to get a receipt if you might need to change the money back. The limit on how much birr you can take out of the country is a few hundred birr (about $40) but this does not seem to be enforced and it is a good idea to take some home if you ever want to go back as banks here do not have this money available. Internet is basically not available in ET though you will be able to use email somewhat if you have a lot of patience. The people are wonderful, hard-working, and helpful. Most people speak English unless you are dealing with uneducated people or in rural areas. The Lonely Planet Amharic guide Ethiopian Amharic (Lonely Planet Phrasebooks)is helpful and not necessary, but people like it if you try to speak the language. The language guide in the back of this guidebook is really all you need. Unfortunately, I did not find it until the end of my trip. You will need an adaptor for any electronics. The only one I used was a 2-prong adaptor. I did not need a converter as my laptop could use 110-220. Mosquito spray and possibly a net is useful if you are out of Addis. Travel clinic is a must at least 1-2 months before you go. It is $70 to get the visa from the embassy and it took me 3 weeks to get mine back, vs. $20 at the airport for Americans. However, I guarantee that, once you are in Addis, the last thing you want to do is spend an hour in line to get a visa. Also, I wrote the embassy a nice letter about why I was going and they gave me a one year visa, even though that went past my passport expiration. Due to lack of an internet, you will need a cell phone in the country and these will be easily available for about $50, including all the airtime you need, once you get there.
Ethiopia Airlines is the way to go. I met many people who fly to ET all the time or go to Ruwanda and other sub-Saharan African countries who say it is the most reliable. They now have one of the newest Boeings for the flight and this is a very comfortable airplane. Also, the movie selection is great. Consider the Indian movies if you are tired of the Hollywood formula. There are also Nigerian movies, which I did not test. I drove 5 hours to Dulles, stayed overnight at the Staybridge Inn (free parking for my 2 week trip) and flew out of there for the 12 hr flight (vs. 24 on other airlines, at a much higher price). If you live father away, it might be worth it to fly to Dulles and then transfer to Ethiopian Airlines. Another advantage of Ethiopian Airlines is that flights incountry are about 1/2 price if you fly into Ethiopia with Ethiopian Airlines. I did not plan to travel but once I got there, I ended up taking five flights, for a total of $300, vs. $600 if I had flown with another airline. Of note, you can take water on domestic flights, but not international.
There are a lot of beggars but I did not find it more difficult to deal with than San Francisco, NYC, or Washington DC. I stayed downtown at the Ethiopian Hotel (older, but I liked, not in guidebook) as I like to walk but most tourists stay on Bolle Rd in Addis and it seemed that there were more beggars there (also more restaurants, bookstores, etc.). There are lots of little shops and people selling things on the street. It seems reasonable to spend some money at these little startups which are now encouraged by the government in order to make people self-sufficient. Perhaps there are fewer beggars now as people are able to support themselves better with these free enterprise undertakings? Tourist money also helps the country.
Ethiopia is a beautiful country, with much history, hard-working and kind people. You will like your trip there, so enjoy yourself!
Summary of Ethiopia, 5th (Bradt Travel Guide Ethiopia)
While the world taps its feet, Ethiopia breakdances with its shoulders. This is an uplifting, inspirational country which confounds expectations. It?s no featureless desert but a land of majestic landscapes surrounding a vast, fertile plateau. The rock-hewn churches in its medieval capital, Lalibela, are regarded by many as the eighth wonder of the world. Its people are welcoming, proud and besotted by their own culture and history. Bradt?s Ethiopia is the most thorough guide available to this country rich in culture, history and dramatic scenery, and has been highly praised by both travel press and readers.
‘Thorough and reassuring, it provides all the practical and background information to make readers leap from their armchairs and visit this vast, magical country?
The Daily Telegraph (UK)
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