Ethiopia, Addis to Lalibela
Saturday, March 20th, 2010I recently had the unique experience of touring Ethiopia for a few weeks. It is a culinary and archeological wonderland for the mid-experienced traveler.
Our Journey started in Addis Abbaba, then onto Bahir Dar, Gondar, hte Simian Mountains, Axum, Lalibela, and then back to Addis. We saw so many incredible sites from the birthplace of humankind, to Queen of Sheba’s palaces, the largest human built monolithic structures in the world, and rock hune churches from the middle ages that are still in use today. It was incredible and I highly reccomend it.
The other part of the adventure was the cuisine. About 60% of the population is Orthodox CHristian. As such they eat purely vegan cuisine tow to three days a week which means a vegetarians paradise. Ethiopian fasting food food consists of divinely spiced lentils, pulses, greens, beans, cabbage, and a the delectable bean stew called Shiro; all sopped up with a unique flatbread called injera. I love spicey food and Ethiopian cuisince can set your taste buds on fire! Sadly in the US the spice level is reduced about two orders of magnitude. Also, Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, “caffa” with grows that a highland tree as a little red berry. If you are a coffee lover Ethiopian Buna is literally the best coffee in the world, fresh,sweet, perfection.
For breakfast have a machiatto and inkuful tibbs (fried eggs) or shiro tegamimo (100% vegan bean stew).
For lunch and dinner order the vegetarian bayonett and you will get a huge platter (enough for two people) of every vegetarian item they make.
Make sure to try the ethiopian tea, called shai, very good.
Also if you are going to get fuit juice ask for the espris, a layering of all the juices they make, delicious.
anitasen