Shop like a Diva, experience Addis Ababa like a Boss! - This was my second tour with the same company, and I do not regret booking it. Walking through the streets to the market or to different museums gives you so much opportunity to absorb the rhythm of the city. What a fabulous way to absorb the local culture do some amazing shopping at a very affordable price. Shasha, the guide met me at the hotel, and soon we navigated through small streets, and busy bigger ones, to check out some of the more famous monuments and museums. Shasha's command of English is very good, he is polite and humble, proudly Ethiopian and very knowledgeable about the history and the people from Ethiopia. Boy-o-boy there were many local businessmen having a quick coffee and croissant at the little Tomoka coffee shop at the old La Gare train station. Naturally, I made sure that I walked away with a good coffee supply and some coffee sweets. I was told it is the best Ethiopian coffee! While at the train station, I made use of the public bathrooms, which was spotlessly clean. At the train station itself or a couple of the old locomotives and train carts. We did not enter the train carts but you can see them from from up close. The original signposts written in French and Amharic are still up. La Gare train station it's not in use anymore because they have upgraded the Ethiopian rail system. During our walking trip I wanted to use different forms of travel in the city, so we took a public bus and rode it for about three stops to the National museum. The tickets can be bought directly from the driver who doubles as the conductor the seatings are clean and comfortable. They sort of wait for the bus to fill up before they take off there's no set schedule so just enter the bus that looks the most full. I do think the bus system is the cheapest form of travel as this only cost us three bir (local money unit). In addition I also made use of a 1986 old Russian LADA car, painted bright blue which is a taxi Service that the locals refer to as a ‘donkey’. You often see somebody huddled over the engine was just a screwdriver in his hand fixing or tweaking something in this kind of car. The parliament was in-sitting and the deputy president was making a speech and everybody around me in all the taxis and in the little shops were listening to his speech on their radios. Cheering and laughing out loud at some of his statements. Addis Ababa is full of old Volkswagen beetles which is a joy to see driving about. We did not have the opportunity to ride the new air train. The air train is a recent addition to the city at peak times it is very congested so much so that your face can be squished to the window. Ethiopian food is unique and nothing in the world can compare to the smell and taste of the different spices. Yes there are many vegetarian dishes as well as meat dishes. Do not be surprised when you are offered raw meat such as beef including the fat. Raw meat is eaten very often in most of the restaurants and considered a local delicacy that is, sliced into thin slivers with a very sharp knife, then dipped into a variety of spicy hot sauces and then eaten. We stopped at a local restaurant called Yonas Chercher in Kazachis close to the Hilton. district. Cold draft beer was on offer as well as Saint Georges beer. A selection of water, sodas and fruit juice was offered on the menu. We ordered injera (something similar to spongy fermented thick pancakes). The injera-roll is broken in small pieces and then you enclose the the meat with your fingers, dip it in a hot sauce (optional) and put it in your mouth. Most Ethiopian dishes are shared by various people around the same table from one bowl, pot or basket. It is common to see couples feeding each other by hand as it's a form of endearment and friends hand feed each other as well. There was a very lovely local soccer game screened on a TV in the restaurant. Most Ethiopians are passionate about soccer and running. The National Museum that displays a replica of the famous ‘Lucy’ had some interesting displays. If you are not with a guide, you would not see the relevance of many items as the descriptions in English are a bit sparse. The Museum as a whole needs to be refurbished, as the new Museums that were recently added are so much better. I can't wait to get back to Ethiopia to experience more as two tours in Addis are just not enough. Ethiopian people are proud and humble and they wish for a better future.

Great Tour - We did this (namely the Merkato) as part of a broader Addis City Tour. I would say that's the best way to go. In the Merkato for example you'll likely only spend about 2 hours (maybe a bit more), unless you get caught up in playing TischFußball with some of the boys there or chili pepper eating challenges with Brooks (which he won't do well at). All in all you should definitely do some aspect of this!

Addis Ababa Shopping Tour with Aman - I had the pleasure of touring and shopping with the guidance and assistance of Mr. Aman Assefa during my recent trip to Ethiopia. Aman took me to different venues where I was able to purchase souvenirs and gifts that consisted of local crafts. These were handmade items at very reasonable prices. Aman encouraged me to simply pay what I wanted and walk away if my price was not being met. He also gave me some guidance on what items should cost, and I felt assured that I was paying a fair price and not under-paying the talented artisans I encountered. We shopped on the streets where Aman accompanied me as I wound through a maze of tiny store fronts. In addition, Aman took me to a fine coffee store where I purchased a bag of the incredible local coffee to bring home. This was quite the experience and a highlight of my trip to Ethiopia. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who would like to tour and shop with a knowledgeable and helpful guide.