Living in Harmony

Whenever a tree's roots grow or spread, they usually disrupt whatever is in their way and leave a mess. I was pleasantly surprised to see these roots which grew over the brick walls of one of the Fasiledes castles. Some of the roots are so integrated in the brick walls that one would think they where built in place together. Anyway, much to learn from these two unlikely comrades. Hope you liked the pics and got the message.

The Emperors Swimming Pool

Empty pool with the castle in the middle... the ground floor is supposed to be completely under water with the other two floors above water.
Bridge connecting the pool castle to the main land
Renovations currently ongoing

Different angle of castle and pool

The pool filled with water during Timket. Picture courtesy of amharabofed.org.et


So following the visit to the Fasiledes castle, we went to the Fasiledes pool. This place is unreal. It's basically another castle built in the middle of a large pool with a bridge connecting to the main grounds. While we were there, the whole place was being renovated so as you can see, the pictures aren't really doing the place justice. Anyway, I have posted a supplementary picture of the castle during Timket with the pool filled with water and the priests along the sides chanting in prayer. This is how it is supposed to look.

Fasiledes Castle

Fasiledes Castle
Other castles in the yard built by other kings
A different angle of the Fasiledes Castle
Pillars standing from destroyed buildings


An Italian renovated castle, notice the glass windows.


Views from inside the castle
Kings kept lions in these cages. The last lions were here about a decade ago; they have since then been moved to the zoo in Addis
The rooms have very high ceilings with ancient decor
Chilling in the fireplace in the Dining Hall of the main castle


Fasiledes Castle is a representation of Ethiopia's great culture and rich history. This castle was built in the 17th century by the Emperor Fasiledes. Afterward, his successors have more or less contributed to the collection of castles found in the seven square kilometer yard it occupies. Fasiledes castle is remarkable as it has endured many historical attacks and still stands graciously today. I loved walking around the castles and feeling dwarfed by how huge the whole place was. Surely a place to visit in Ethiopia.

Gondar

Birds View of Gondar
Goha Hotel (where I stayed)
One of the well known hotels in downtown Gondar, Quara
City Center
Approaching Fasiledes Castle


First stop on my trip to Northern Ethiopia, Gondar, was once the Imperial Capital of Ethiopia founded by Emperor Fasiledes in 1635. This old city has flourished into one of the leading in Ethiopia. Downtown Gondar shows influence of Italian occupation as it features piazzas and mercatos as well as a cinemas, villas, and buildings simplified in Italian style. The town is also home to the currently upgraded and renovated Gondar University which houses Ethiopia's main faculty of medicine. During my time in Gondar, I stayed at Goha Hotel which is located at an elevation enabling visitors to have a great view. Here are some pics of Gondar.

To Addis by Road

Started the drive at 4:30 A.M... a couple of hours later the fog was intense
Beautiful greenery along the roadside
More green and fog...
Beautiful motion picture of a typical house in the countryside
Huts alongside the main road
More huts
My second favorite picture. I love the movement and the subject of the picture
More houses with shelter for cattle
Donkeys and crazy sky
My favorite picture! It looks like a painting I would paint
High mountain with its peak in the clouds


Awash River
Buying Strawberries on our way back home on the roadside


So like I said before, I decided to ride to Addis Abeba instead of flying - and I made a good decision cus I got to see the beautiful eastern part of Ethiopia during the drive. It was so much fun to see different people and landscapes which were breathtaking. Anyway, here are my pictures above.
P.s. as requested by lovely Hanan, I have posted pictures of the less affluent houses found in the majority of Ethiopia, which are an accurate depiction of the lifestyle here.

Train to Djibouti

Kids on the front of the train going somewhere
Boy trying to get on the train as it is moving
Hanging onto the side of the train


Caught a few peeps making a dive for the train... this one is going from Dire to Djibouti with one stop in the middle. Kids run along the train and jump on it on a dangerous endeavor to catch a ride somewhere. It's kinda scary but they seem like pros doing it.

Harar and Me - A love Connection

Outside one of the gates
Picture by a colorful street inside the walls of Harar
Look how narrow the streets can get!
Inside a home owned by locals
Bargaining at the market
My look of defeat after bargaining :(
Hills behind me
By houses next to the narrow streets
Walking on cobblestone streets


Couldn't resist taking some pictures in Harar! I love how they turned out so I'd like to share with you. I try not to post a lot of pics of myself since this is more like a travel blog but I can't resist this time cus I think they turned out great! So endure this for me.