A Ride Through the City: Day 3 of (W)HOLE's 2025 Ethiopia Immersion Trip

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

A Ride Through the City

Day 3 of (W)HOLE's Ethiopian Immersion 2025

As we drove around Addis Ababa, various landmarks came into view.  

Statue of Menelik II, erected in 1930, symbolizing his ultimate patriotism and grace during the Battle of Adwa in 1896.

Adwa Victory Memorial, Opened in 2024

commemorates the historic Battle of Adwa (March 1, 1896), where Ethiopian forces defeated the Italian colonial army

In addition to a museum located inside the building, the memorial has multiple facets on the exterior.  As we drove by, we could hear children giggling as the water spouted up.  It was way too cold for them to actually play in the water that day.

A tower on one side of the memorial features Ethiopian warriors fighting to climb, around obstacles, and over rocks to reach the top.  Each face depicted conveys pride and determination.  Most figures have both a long spear and a round shield for attack and defense.  The victory of this battle is a source of great pride for Ethiopians as well as other African peoples.  On top of the tower sits an outline of Africa with rays emanating from it.   

We drove all the way around the memorial.  Our intention was to check out the museum as well.  Alas, that closed about 15 minutes before we arrived.  A visit for another time.  

We came across the Abrehot Library.  This site was completed in January of 2022.  A new building with multi level windows towers above the street below.  The simple construction of cement and glass is etched with characters from various languages from around the world.  Unfortunately there was no time for our team to add a tour to our itinerary.  More information is available on their website https://abrehot.org.et/

On our drive through the city, we passed the gates of the old palace.  It is marked by two colorful statues of peacocks that stand approximately two stories high.  Their plumes drape down with patterns of gold, green, and blue.  The Imperial Palace was used by Emperor Menelik II from the 1890s through the end of his reign in 1913.  It has now been converted into Unity Park.  This large space is home to beautiful gardens, historical sites, a zoo, cultural learning opportunities, and space for families and visitors to enjoy ice cream or a meal.  Their website has much more information, going into detail about the attractions.  It is well worth a look!  https://www.unitypark.et/

While we did not visit Unity Park on our 2025 trip, I have a blog post from 2021

https://ajourneybutnotalone.blogspot.com/2021/08/unity-zoo-and-kitfo-day-8-ethiopia-2021.html

Amongst all the traffic, the squares, overpasses, and roundabouts, we could catch glimpses of churches, mosques, statues, monuments, and other notable sites.  

Addis Ababa does have a train system that runs through and to the outskirts of the city.  Over the years, the construction has created new traffic patterns and a change in the need for taxis.

During this 2025 Immersion Trip, I noticed more motorcycles and bicycles than I had before.  The development of "The Corridor" through the city created a safer space for bicyclists.  Although the revamping of these spaces has also created significant issues, removal and displacement of small businesses and people in poverty.

Off the main road through Addis, at most corners, you'll see women selling food.  Roasted corn on the cob or sambosa are the most common.  These ladies are extremely efficient with their setup.  A fire pot, stool, umbrella, and husked corn.  Prepared for the sun or the rain.

The husk is peeled from the cob.  Then used to serve the roasted corn.

A little Amharic lesson... Kolo (ቆሎ) is the word for corn.  And roasted corn... makes Bill very happy!

Our adventures for the day would not be complete without a visit to... Allmart!  Yes, you are right!  It is the closest thing to an Ethiopian Walmart.  You can purchase most anything in here.  The floor-to-ceiling windows in the front offer a glimpse at the first-floor shelves stocked with non-perishables.  Toward the back of that floor is a butcher and a small freezer section.  The second floor opens up to a display of fancy teacups and coffee setups.  A toy section, office supplies, and household items take up the rest.  On the third floor... furniture and appliances.  I, by no means, want to pass judgment.  I am sure there is a very good reason for this.  The furniture, the appliances... third floor.  I'm just glad that I'm not stocking the store!

That evening, we made a trip to the airport.  Not the international terminal... the domestic terminal.  While we knew there was a difference.  I had no idea how far apart they are, and there is no way to move easily from one to the other.  

Aregahagn, the young man below, is a part of our family.  He calls us mom and dad.  We are happy to call him, Burke kiddo #6, our son.  We've known each other for over ten years.  He lives in Pawi, Ethiopia, to the north of Addis Ababa.  Even though we would do anything to make it happen, from the time we've known each other, he had aged out of the adoption program.  He serves as a nurse, the equivalent of an LPN in the states.  The clinic that he is responsible for is in a rural part of the Pawi area.  Much of his job is administering vaccines for children and adults, and treating malaria.  Of course, he and other nurses are there for emergencies and other healthcare needs as well.  We have worked for years to find a way to allow him to come to the US to work and to be with us as a part of our family.  To no avail.  We hold out hope, though.  Each fall, we apply for a diversity visa, where recipients are chosen by a lottery system.  If you're the praying type, pray for God to make a way for him to be with the rest of us!

Aregahagn stays with us while we are in Ethiopia.  He is a wonderful translator and we are thankful for him!

Late at night, the front of the airport is lit up.  A vintage Ethiopian aircraft is posed before the terminal to celebrate Ethiopia's success with air travel.