We have a new driver for the last part of our trip who has been a great tour guide. Most drivers drive these great Toyota vans. Their seat configuration is very flexible making them great for people and cargo.
Yesterday we visited the Ethiopia National Museum which is the home to Lucy’s bones.
Then we headed up the mountain called Entoto. It was pretty smoggy yesterday but the view was still fantastic.
Apparently, Entoto was the site of the original capital of Ethiopia. In 1886, the Empress spotted a hot springs down in the valley and had her husband move the capital there.
The hot springs are still active and are the current home to the most expensive hotel in Addis–the Sheraton. It heats its showers and pool with the hot water from the springs.
On the way up and down the mountain, we saw these amazing women who gather the fallen branches from Eucalyptus trees (imported from Australia years ago) and haul them down the mountain to sell them for a mere $2. Eucalyptus wood is used all over Addis. Most notably as scaffolding. It is fast growing so it makes for a great renewable resource.
Some are fortunate to have donkeys to do their hauling. It is not uncommon to see these roaming around the city.
At the top of the mountain was the old palace. While the outside was colorful, the inside was mostly clay and dirt with no decoration. It was so different than the palaces we visited in Korea.
There was also a 700 year old church chiseled out of a one large boulder.
The newer church’s holy area is covered in these amazing paintings. They are about 125 years old, the colors are completely derived from natural roots and berries.
We spent the rest of the day yesterday and today hanging with the kids. The kids are much more themselves but today Grandpa stayed home sick.