seeing addis ababa

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Merry Christmas everyone! I will soon post pictures from Weredesh's first Christmas. She had a ball! Although I think she was more interested in the boxes and wrappings than the gifts. In the meantime, here are some pics from Addis Ababa. Most pics were taken from the car, as it wasn't recommended for us to walk the streets on our own, due to the possible flood of children and others begging or harassing you for this and that. Not that it was deemed unsafe, it's just possible you wouldn't get very far. Addis Ababa was pretty chaotic at times - the air pollution often gave us headaches and there were constant herds of sheep, goats, random cows or mules in the streets. We were told that the mules there are used for transporting goods and when they arrive at their destination the owners set them free and they find their way on their own back to their home base. I find that hard to believe, but this is what we were told by locals there and we saw a few mules navigating the busy streets and traffic, looking like they knew where they were going. I don't remember seeing but one traffic light and no street signs - I'm not sure that there are driving laws other than serious defensive (and offensive) driving. Notice the one pic of me with Weredesh on my lap - this is how you travel with an infant! Also note the scaffolding used for building high rises- they were merely tree branches and you could see workers climbing these for several stories. YIKES!

Will return soon with Xmas pics...