Addis

Poverty and wealth live on top of one another. Tin shacks compete with bright new buildings. Corrugated iron everywhere – so ugly. From the bus you could occasionally glimpse lush green gardens behind the rusting fences. New buildings springing up everywhere.

Addis roads after the rain

The roads are a nightmare. Masses of pedestrians competing with the traffic that does not appear to follow any rules. Putting a seat belt on risks insulting the driver. Women with young children begging day and night at the side of the road. The most distressing part of this is the number of elderly and disabled people begging on the streets. And then, to my shame, I found myself becoming distressed at the sight of a horse past it’s useful life left on the main highway wandering up and down the central reservation, no water, no food.

Scaffolding and building techniques - Ethiopia style

There are very real signs of regeneration though it is hard for any city authority to keep up with the vast number of people daily attracted to the increasing wealth.

The buses are heaving – I made no attempt to try and get in one. I simply could not have coped with that level of claustrophobia!

Street scene, main drag Addis

The night life is lively. Although there is a high prevalence of pick pocketing and thieving going on, there was no feeling or observation of impending violence.