Home --- TRIP: Cairo and Ethiopia 2011

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Before beginning our Ethiopian adventure we spend a day and night in Cairo, Egypt and join the protestors in Tahrir Square during the uprising.
Then we explore Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a couple of days on our own until we join our group and fly to the city of Harar on the border of Somalia. Then back to Addis Ababa before heading north to Bahar Dar, Gondar, Debark, Axum and Lalibela during our three week exploration of Ethiopia. It is important to note that Ethiopia has been a Christian nation since the 4th century.
2 It is a beautiful day to be headed out of LAX in the late afternoon and headed for Frankfurt, Germany, where we will transfer to a flight to Cairo.
3 The perfect tourist just getting ready for sleep.
4 It is February 17, 2011. Finally made it to Cairo and after talking to a few cab drivers we chose Nabir to take us to Tahrir Square and guide us for the evening.
5 It is about a half an hours drive to Tahrir Square down Anubus Street the Noor Mosque in down town Cairo.
6 Nearing the square we start to see more people and more action.
7 Wait, movie loading. In the center of Tahrir Square we bask in the sights and sounds of this historic moment for Egypt and the Middle East.
8 Margaret makes friends with some of the locals and we notice that the men and women are very much separated, even in this open gathering place.
9 Wait, movie loading. After a little time everyone got to know everyone on a first name basis. The women wanted to know if we were Muslim and we let them know we were not. That did not seem to make any difference as they remained warm and friendly.
10 For the most part the people gathering in Tahrir Square seem to be about 25 years old or younger and very excited about the changes taking place in Egypt.
11 Seemed everyone was dressed up for the occasion, especially this fellow who was selling flags.
12 We wanted to have a cup of tea and were told in the nicest of ways that this place was for men only, so Margaret said she would wait in front and I would keep an eye on her while I surveyed the tea house.
13 Maybe it was just my imagination but it seemed like everybody in this place had their eyes on me. But why? I am just an American tourist here in Tahrir Square during the revolution taking pictures of everyone. In short order everyone lightened up and the stares became friendly glances.
14 The men smoked these large hookas while the young boys keep the charcoal burning. This gentleman invited me for a smoke but I could not as Margaret was waiting outside and I had to get back to the street.
15 I watch Margaret as she chats with the family to her right and watches the festivities in Tahrir Square. I sent out a cup of hot, sweet tea for her to sip on.
16 Back on the street again and had some conversation with military personnel but were not allowed to take any pictures of them. We could only take pictures of people like this fellow who stopped to say hello, greet us and allow us a photo. We noticed that the police were nowhere to be seen.
17 This seemed to be a memorial for those who were killed here in Tahrir Square. We were limited in the pictures and movies we could take and could not be very conspicuous, especially with the military looking on. That said, the mood was festive, the people were warm, and hopes for a better Egypt seem to be in the air.
18 We were able to get back to the airport without having to pass through any checkpoints. The airport was for the most part empty and there was no security or police. Our bags were searched by airport personnel who tried to shake us down for money. After some time it was evident to them that we would not pay and we were allowed to pass only to have further problems at the ticket counter. After some delay we made it to our 3 a.m. flight from Cairo to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
19 We arrive in Addis Ababa and our luxurious accomodations at a government hotel.
20 We are well situated in the city, right across the street from Meskel Square, the equivalent of Tahrir Square in Egypt, used for festivals, parades and various events.