Skip to main content

A Kenyan in Addis Ababa (Part 2) - The "University Girls"

Addis Ababa's Light Rail system runs through the middle of a street.
The electrified light rail is still under construction, though mostly done
This post continues from Part 1. 

The residents of Addis are friendly too. On my first day, I did meet a guard at a hotel, who later offered to show me around. Among the places he suggested, was this place where some “University girls” were holding some "dancing ceremony". He added, that Ethiopians being Orthodox Christians, were about to go on a sex, alcohol and meat fast, hence the importance of this “ceremony.”

I had some suspicion that I was being sold to sex, but my guide insisted that this was not a sex sale. Just dancing University girls. We did end up in some nondescript compound, and into a house. There was sort of a sitting area, with a radio system, low benches and tables, and grass sprinkled around the floor. Grass sprinkled around the floor is an Ethiopian tradition that indicates you are welcome to a place.

It was about 5 PM,  and the hosts seemed not to be expecting any visitors at this time. My guide disappeared down some corridor into the back to call them. In marched a troop of light ladies, a good number wearing vest tops. I could have sworn they were all chosen on the basis of the massiveness of their breasts. The typical woman in the streets did not have as large a pair, which raised the question of the odds of about 6 of them being in one place.

It also hit me that I was a client, which was confirmed when about 2 men walked in - probably the pimps. The ladies insisted I seat and have coffee, and they would dance. I was apprehensive, after an experience I once had in Istanbul. I insisted I needed to get back to my hotel to work, which had some truth in it. This is despite the fact that they had switched on some music and started dancing.

I may be wrong, but I think I hold the record for the fastest exit out of this place. I practically led my host out. Gladly,  there was no Istanbul incident here,  probably more of puzzled ladies.

My guide later attempted to calm my frayed nerves by insisting that these were just your typical university girls. I should take their number, and if we like each other,  they can even visit me in my hotel room. I don’t even need to pay them,  but you know, being African, someone gives people a little money for fare, about 100 Birr. I didn’t ask why they needed taxi fare to commute a stone’s throw distance from my hotel.

Now, as much as my job does involve Public Relations and Communications, Daudt, (Sorry Ethiopians, this is how it spelt?) my guide, could damn well do a better job than I could ever dream off. I mean, who else convinces you this well to pay for something without the thought that you are buying it crossing your mind?

It is noteworthy that among the first places that you are shown to as a male visitor to Addis, is a "ladies’ house".

Yeah to friendship!!!
Noteworthy too is that prostitution is not illegal in Ethiopia. It seems, the police and the state have better things to do other than harass women for selling sex. Again, never did I spot a police vehicle parked at some street, probably extorting from bar owners and those milling around. Landing back in Nairobi the next day, a police vehicle parked near some bars was among the first sights I encountered from the airport. Nairobi.

The police in Ethiopia, I am told, are not in the habit of accepting bribes. In fact, I am told the corrupt in this country are made example of, such that others do not develop an appetite for ill gotten gains. What a contrast from Kenya.

You will also like to know that Daudt, after showing me around to some shops, and a “university girls party”, did not ask for any money for the effort! This contrasts with Nairobi, where people will even ask you for “something small” because they moved out of your way in the street. Well, not exactly, but you get it. Again, read Yvonne Adhiambo’s Weight of Whispers.

More of the light rail in a different part of Addis
An electrified light rail is under construction by the Chinese (as is almost everything else). The light rail links sections of Addis Ababa,  but still remains non-operational.

The impact of the Chinese in this city is such that the airport has signage in both English and Chinese. 

If you doubted Ethiopian-Chinese friendship, Addis Ababa does have an Ethio-China Friendship Road, and an Ethio-China Friendship Square, and to top it all an African-China Friendship Square.

Going back to the cost of imported cars, many are not able to afford cars. Those who can have to settle for what would be cheaper cars. As such, people who can comfortably afford Subarus in Kenya would have to do with an older Vitz in Ethiopia, as the prices would be about the same.

The mechanics in Addis must be quite good, for much as they have well aged cars, I rarely came across a smoking car, something that is pretty common in Nairobi.

While the Ethiopian government’s motive seems to be to encourage local manufacturing through disincentivising imports, I feel it would be more effective to instead switch to an incentive model, where the government helps potential investors set up globally competitive and sustainable businesses. That, however, is a topic for another day.

A variety of shoes, all made in Ethiopia
Compared to Kenya,  Ethiopia seems to produce much more. There was a variety of leather products,  wool products,  handmade and machine textiles,  and food products. These same industries also seem to hold a lot of potential, for those willing to set up export-geared manufacturing focused on quality and foreign tastes. As an example, their leather products could do with finer stitching and a variety of designs for the export market.
If you plan to go shopping,  you can check out Churchill Avenue,  or "Post Office",  though the same items are available at Merkato for half the price, or less. Be warned that if you are dropped off at Churchill, it will be mostly outside a more expensive shop that shares commission with your cabbie. Do shop around.


Yeah maan!
Me and Solo
I did meet “Solo” somewhere along Churchill Avenue. He could tell I was a Kenyan, probably because I had some shopping. Most Ethiopians otherwise thought I was a Habesha, with one old man even stopping me in the street and saying lots of things in Amharic. When they did learn I was Kenyan, the Ethiopians were curious to know if I was “Kikuyu”. They do have more tribes than we do.

Solo had been to Kenya before, in an attempt to travel to somewhere in Europe. This had failed. His sister however lives in Hurlingham,  and is “married to a Kikuyu.” It is interesting how Africans approach the thorny issue of tribe in other countries. If only the matter wasn’t as controversial.

Solo also tried to get me to visit a place near where I was staying, where I would find some University girls about to go on holiday. I could take their number,  and they could come to my hotel room, have some fun, and I could,  in African culture, give them “some fare”. He may not be as refined as Daudt, but what a coincidence?

He did make sure I took photos of a British Cannon monument on Churchhill Avenue,  and remarked I was sharp for shopping around beyond where my cabbie had dropped me. He also did share some titbits about Ethiopia that I have shared elsewhere here. Again, it did feel odd that at the end of my interaction with Solo,  he did not hassle me for any money. Addis is a strange city for a Nairobian.

Street coffee. Do try some, trade stories 
At a coffee stall by a street under construction, I did meet some other Ethiopian who had some knowledge of Kiswahili, having lived in South B for a while. He too had probably come to Nairobi in an attempt to find his way to Europe. Nairobi, if you may not be aware, is a regional human and drug trafficking hub to Europe.

Apologies for splitting my experiences into a series of blog posts. No, it is not for the page views, I'm just not sure many people would read 4,700 words and more in a single sitting. If you would like more details on something or another, do request in the comments and I'll add that to my final post. Thanks for reading, do share.

Part 3 goes up on Thursday. You can check back, subscribe by email, or subscribe to this page's Facebook feed to get notified too. There's me on Twitter, too.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

RE: Appointment as Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to The United States of America

Image: South African marriage courtesy The Telegraph ( http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/6237922/South-African-man-marries-4-women-at-same-ceremony.html  ) Dennis Kioko, Address Pending. President to-be-elect, Republic of Kenya, Address Pending, Again. Dear Sirs/Madams, RE: Appointment as Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to The United States of America  I would like to draw your attention to news reported across various sections of the press (way behind your daily portraits on the front page) that several Missions to the country are equivalently vacant with the duty of appointed high commissioners having expired. This includes Kenya's High Commission to the United States of America. Among your first duties, having assumed duty as Kenya's president, duly elected or otherwise, will be to appoint commissioners to these missions. It is in this regard that I highly invoke you to consider me as a likely appointment to the

Nairobi's Top 4 Texas Brisket Places Reviewed and Ranked

Brisket on a bed of roast vegetables with barbecue sauce at Texas Brisket, Kikuyu  This review has been updated after a number of you suggested I try the brisket at County2County.  What's the best place to have Brisket in Nairobi? What's even brisket?  Brisket is one of the toughest cuts in a cow, from around the belly. It is so tough that it has to be smoked for about 16 hours to tenderise. But that there, is the catch.  12 to 16 hours later, it is the most flavourful and softest cut you will ever have. So full of flavour and so soft you can pick it apart with your fingers.  However, due to the long cooking time involved, only a few places offer brisket in Nairobi.  The best so far is Texas Brisket which is located within Kikuyu Railway station.  They do the meat for a proper 16 hours, and will usually have a fatty or non-fatty portion. The fatty portions are more tasty. A 500 gram serving goes for KSh. 900 and a 1 KG order comes with a serving of free fries. Their brisket has

Beers in Kenya: A sober opinion

Note: This is a dated post and has since been mostly passed by events. SAB Miller beers including Castle and Peroni are no longer widely available in Kenya after their exist. Sirville Brewery was bought out by Brew Bistro before being permanently shut in a tax dispute. Kenya is a land of milk, honey, beaches and taxes. I have penned, or is typed, a newer post here .  Peroni - One of the best beers in Kenya. Did a taste of canned and bottled Italian, and bottled Tanzanian I like the tangy flavour and body in Tanzanian Peroni. The can is close. Heineken drinkers will like the Italian one.  I have had a short beer swigging stint in my life. It has however been long enough for me to share my opinion of Kenyan beer. Interestingly, over the course of sharing such opinions with other drunkards connoisseurs,  I have found that we all have different views as to what beer is the best, which one makes you too drunk, or which one gives one free, extra hangover for every hangover you get

The bitter story of the downfall of Mumias Sugar company

A spoonful of sugar, but for who? ( Image: Carol Wallis on Flickr ) Have you heard the bitter story of Mumias Sugar? Regarded by many as Kenya's most successful sugar miller, Mumias Sugar Company was a disaster waiting to happen. Many pointed out how Mumias Sugar Company was a fortress in the wreck that is Kenya's sugar industry, only unaware that it was just a matter of time. As the old wise men said, "Ukiona cha mwenzako cha nyolewa, tia chako maji". The proverb means that if you see your neighbour's head getting shaved, your head will soon be undergoing the same - you'd therefore better wet your head for a smoother shave, otherwise you will be forced to undergo a painful, dry, shave. But what ails Kenya's sugar industry? The Kenya sugar industry is under legal siege. The typical Kenyan issue of coming up with laws to tackle a problem is evident here. Many of Kenya's sugar factories are owned by the government, and have slowly decline

A to Z of Girl Pick-up Lines

Girl,  You are like a breath of fresh air , like an outstanding piece of Art in an art gallery  There are many things you and me can be, but it puts a smile of satisfaction on my face and a smile of envy on my buddies faces that you both beautiful and bootyfull  E ither your creator must have taken the greatest care creating you or your cheated your way around heaven, 'coz you clearly the prettiest girl on earth  D on't ask why my breathing quickens every time I see you; setting my eyes on you makes me feel like I am drowning in your beauty, I have to catch my breath   Exciting, Exotic, Elegant, Electrifying ; so many definitions in english , but when it comes to the human race, girl, you are the one and only definition of all the above  W hen I say you are fly , it may be due to the sensation of flying off the ground that I get when I am around you. Some girls are beautiful, a few are decent, even fewer got class; I didn't know I could find all this qualities in one gir