Do you know Lucy?
She’s 3.2 million years old. Yes, million. Lucy is one of the oldest and most complete hominid skeletons ever discovered—our ancient ancestor who could walk upright. Yours and mine. And where was she found? In Ethiopia.
So naturally, when I landed in Ethiopia, it felt less like a tourist trip and more like a pilgrimage—to meet a distant grandmother, if you will. They say Ethiopia is the cradle of human civilization, and on day one, I was already feeling that weight of history.
I landed at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport on Ethiopian Airlines. No fancy aerobridges for my flight—just a set of stairs and a shuttle bus. I was out in the Ethiopian air straight from the flight.
Outside, I met Amir, my driver, and Haliam, my guide. As we drove toward the hotel, I noticed the roads were filled with vintage cars puffing smoke, honking away in no particular rhythm. Buildings flashed by—some tired, some trying, and many surrounded by street vendors and pedestrians weaving through traffic like seasoned dancers. Haliam turned to me and said, “Addis Ababa means New Flower.” Poetic, right? For a capital city balancing history and hustle.
Then, out of nowhere, he added, “Here, men have the power.”
“Why?” I asked, surprised.
He just smiled, like it was a truth that didn’t need explaining.
I let it pass, watching the city unfold outside my window—chaotic, curious, and completely alive.
The National Museum and Lucy
After freshening up at the hotel, we headed straight to the National Museum of Ethiopia. It’s located in the heart of Addis, just a short drive from the city center, and was established in 1958. It houses a treasure trove of Ethiopia’s rich history—from prehistoric fossils to royal artifacts.
There she was—Lucy, or “Dinknesh” as she’s known locally, meaning “you are wonderful.” Seeing her skeleton gave me goosebumps. And nearby was Ardi, an even older hominid—4.4 million years old—who may have been less famous but equally important in understanding our evolution.
Other exhibits in the museum included:
- Artifacts from the Aksumite Empire and Zagwe Dynasty
- Emperor Haile Selassie’s throne
- Traditional Ethiopian art and religious icons
- And stunning archaeological finds from across the country
And yes, photography is allowed, but without flash..
Ethiopia Was Never Colonized?
Haliam proudly told me, “Ethiopia was never colonized.” That’s mostly true. Along with Liberia, Ethiopia is one of only two African countries that escaped long-term European colonization. Italy tried, and briefly occupied parts during 1936–1941, but the spirit of resistance—especially under Emperor Menelik II and later Haile Selassie—was fierce.
Pros of non-colonization: Ethiopia retained its language (Amharic), script (Ge’ez), Orthodox Christian traditions, and strong national identity.
Cons: It also missed out on infrastructure development that colonial powers sometimes brought (though often exploitatively), so modernization came slower in some sectors.
Ethiopian Faces and Familiar Vibes
One of the first things I noticed was the people. There was something strikingly familiar—a blend of Indian and African features. Turns out, this isn’t just in my head. Ethiopia lies near the Horn of Africa, a region that’s been a historical crossroads of trade between Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. Over centuries, these exchanges left traces in everything—from genetics to food to art.
Even Mickey Mouse, on a random shop sign, looked like he’d just come back from a Diwali celebration.
Coffee, the Ethiopian Way
I told Haliam I was a coffee lover—and Ethiopia, being the birthplace of coffee, did not disappoint.
We went to a local gem—Tomoca Coffee, one of the most famous coffee houses in Addis Ababa. Established in 1953, Tomoca is known for its rich, Arabica beans roasted in the traditional Italian style. I sat in their warm, woody outlet, sipping from a tiny porcelain cup, feeling like I was drinking history.
And.. Yes, I bought coffee beans. A lot.
Origin of Coffee & Why Ethiopian Coffee Is Famous
Legend says a 9th-century goatherd named Kaldi discovered coffee when his goats got unusually energetic after eating berries from a certain bush. Those berries turned out to be coffee cherries.
Ethiopia grows mainly Arabica beans, often handpicked and sun-dried. The traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony—a slow, social ritual involving roasting, grinding, and three rounds of brew—is a cultural experience in itself.
Arabica coffee isn’t named because it originated in Arabia. In truth, these beans are native to Ethiopia, and the plant is indigenous to East Africa. The name “Arabica” stuck because it was through Arab traders that coffee first spread to the Middle East and beyond. So really, it should’ve been called Coffee Africana or Africana beans, but history gave the naming rights to the middlemen!
Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) is native to the highlands of southwestern Ethiopia, particularly in regions like Kaffa (which is where the word “coffee” is thought to come from). It also grows naturally in parts of South Sudan and northern Kenya. While Tanzania, especially the Mount Kilimanjaro and Mbeya regions, is now a major producer of Arabica coffee, it was introduced there later through cultivation, not as a native plant.
Coffee is not just a beverage; it’s a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s economy, contributing significantly to its GDP and exports. Other key contributors to Ethiopia’s economy include:
- Agriculture (coffee, sesame, pulses, flowers)
- Textiles and garments
- Tourism
- Mining (especially gold)
Injera, My First Ethiopian Meal
For lunch, we stopped at Hotel Caravan, a no-frills, all-locals spot—my favorite kind.
We were served injera, a large sourdough flatbread made from teff flour, soft, spongy, and slightly tangy. Think of the Indian dosa, but airier and fermented. It’s the national dish and also the national plate—because everything is served on it and eaten with it.
It came with an assortment of stews—doro wat (spicy chicken), lentils, greens, and chutney-like sides. Everyone eats from the same plate, a gesture of sharing and community. No forks. Just hands and tradition.
I saw very few tourists around. It was 2023, post-COVID, and tourism hadn’t bounced back fully.
Entoto Park – Nature and a Kerala Umbrella
Post-lunch, we headed to Entoto Park, perched on the hills north of Addis Ababa. There’s a small entry fee, and once inside, it’s like entering another world—picnic spots, coffee stalls, hiking trails, and eucalyptus forests.
It started to drizzle. Out came my umbrella—a proud display of Kerala’s Kathakali art. There I was, walking through a misty Ethiopian hilltop, holding a bit of Kerala above my head. Pure joy.
Mercato – The Madness of Markets
Final stop for the day: Mercato, one of Africa’s largest open-air markets. Crowded, chaotic, alive. If you want to feel the pulse of Addis Ababa, this is where you go. From spices and textiles to electronics and livestock—you name it, it’s there.
The market dates back to Italian occupation times, and the name “Mercato” is from Italian. It’s a sensory overload, not for the faint-hearted, but absolutely worth the experience.
