I have been in Ethiopia as an International Reporting fellow for a little over a week now and it has been an amazing, eye-opening trip so far. I have learned so much about this beautiful landlocked country of 90 million people. I have been warmly welcomed into their lives and have enjoyed the curiosity of the children at my blond hair and light skin. I am sure I will have stories and photos to share for months.
In the meantime, I would like to give you a snapshot of Ethiopia: The beautiful countryside, the warm geniune smiles of the children, the mix between tradition and modernity that encapsulates every aspect of Ethiopian life.
Me with the children of Mosebo village.
Children watching us leave Mosebo village as the downpour arrives.
Curious boy at Mosebo village gives me a warm smile.
Little girl watching me at the Health Post in Mosebo Village
Women waving as we drive by en route to Hawassa.
Scenery of countryside from car
Lake Tanu in Bahir Dar
Fisherman on papyrus boats in Bahir Dar
Monk at island monastery in Bahir Dar
Priest showing us the amazing artwork at island monastery in Bahir Dar
Traditional weaver at island monastery in Bahir Dar. We gave her a polaroid picture of herself and she loved it.
Vendor at island monastery in Bahir Dar
Child at island monastery in Bahir Dar
I am reporting from Ethiopia as a fellow with the International Reporting Project (IRP). You can follow my trip on social media via #EthiopiaNewborns.
Some lovely images.Looking forward to hearing more of your impressions of the place. It’s a place I will definitely return to.
Thank you! I’ve been adding more lately…..
I think the work you do is so amazing. Looking forward to hearing more about your stories and you’re definitely an inspiration for me to go out and see more of this world!
Thank you so much! Your comment makes me smile. The world is a big place and there is so much to see!!!
Great photo story here… 🙂
Thank you!
Beautiful pictures…. we are planning to go to Ethiopia the end of the year, any suggestion where should we go?
Thank you! I loved Bahir Dar. You can stay right on Lake Tana and see Hippos and also go tour the island monasteries. There are so many places to see! You can also head south to see the tribal people who wear the plates in their mouths and to the north is lots of cool places too! You will love it!
Wonderful post! Loved each photo !
Thank you! 🙂
I love the pictures, and thanks for caring the children.
Thank you! I loved Ethiopia. A wonderful place and the people are so warm and kind.
What a beautiful place, and such beautiful people. I hope life improves for them.
Thanks! It is beautiful and despite the hardships people still smile.
Beautiful photos, look forward to reading more about you’re time here.
Thank you so much!
Lovely pictures! Made my day to look at the kids especially 🙂 Hope you have an exciting and fulfilling time!
Thank you! 🙂
It looks an incredible country, Nicole! I especially love your photo of the monk in orange robes! Keep posting!
Thanks Lucy. I loved it there. There is something so magical about Africa. I need to see more.
Thank you so much for sharing your trip to Ethiopia, Nicole! Great captures of the people.
Glad you enjoyed Amy! More to come!
Beautiful photos and heartwarming story Nicole. The reflection of the fishermen in Bahir Dar is a standout! Look froward to more.
Thanks Madhu! There is something so magical and special about the African countryside. It really is truly an amazing place.
Definitely on my list of places to visit and volunteer. I didn’t realize the population was 90 million. Looking forward to hearing more about your adventures over the coming months.
Thanks! Yes there is so much to see, do and help in Ethiopia. A truly magical place with so much need too. There are lots of organizations where you can volunteer. One I enjoyed is called Project Mercy. I will write about it in the coming weeks.
Such stunning photos Nicole. Wonderful to see you as well. What an experience and so glad you can share it here with us.
Thanks Sue! More coming soon! 🙂
Wonderful set of story and photos. We were there in 1953. I’m sure it has changed a lot now.
Wow, I can only imagine what Ethiopia was like in 1953. What were you doing there then? I bet mostly the roads and infrastructure has changed. A lot of building is going on now so even in ten years from now it will look a lot different.
That’s a great photo of you Nicole; that face, beaming with joy, may summarize your experience in Ethiopia so far!
Thanks Jaime! I love that photo too with me surrounded by the kids. Every time we pulled over kids would come running to greet us. They loved our unusual look and now being back home it seems strange!
Such an adventure, love following your journey
Thanks!!!
Incredible photos, Nicole!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
Thanks Kathy! 🙂
How was Ethiopian cuisine,, did u try any
Ethiopian food is delicious! Yes I ate lots and loved it. Hard to get used to eating only with your right hand and not using a fork but it was very good. 🙂
Wonderful photos of such beautiful people, NIcole. I love the photo of the waving, smiling women. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia! What was hard to get used to in Africa is how everyone including children walk on the street. It was quite the obstacle course. They always waved at us too when we went by in our big white cars. It was really neat.
These photos are beautiful! I love the ones of the children 🙂
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the photos! 🙂
Wonderful post Nicole! The smiles on the children’s faces are so heartwarming.
Thanks LuAnn!
Just found you blog while looking for more info on CCS Morocco. It’s wonderful, and I’m very inspired reading everything! Beautiful photos as well. 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂 Glad you enjoy the blog!
The children are beautiful. Quite unexpected scenery…not at all what I had pictured. Gorgeous.
Thanks! More coming soon! I have a lot of photos to edit. I found Ethiopia to be fascinating and very beautiful.
i’ve been with a tour group, which departed earlier this morning to go down the coast.. i’m about to go ‘up’ the coast to my home.. it’s so great to bask in the beauty of these photos.. the personalities of all come through.. it was also great to see you in that first shot!
you’re so very dear and special! z
Thanks Lisa as always for stopping by. Glad you liked the pictures. Do you moonlight as a tour guide? If so I didn’t know that! That would be really fun. Thanks as always for the inspiring words and comments! 🙂 It means a lot!
ja! i help my good friend who is a co-owner in the expat journey tours! i enjoy spending time with them (they tour my house!) and after several days, they head south and i return home!
Ah, that sounds really fun Lisa! Do you get a lot of tourists in your part of Ecuador? Where are most of them from?
Very interesting trip. Nice pics, and you made them smile, Blondy. TA & Rose
Thanks TA! Yes, my hair did happen to attract some attention. The kids loved it and I was really able to get a lot of photos of them. It was quite the eye-opening trip. I loved it there and have to see more of Africa. It is a fascinating place!
I particularly liked the photo of the woman who had received a polaroid photo of herself – it´s always so great to be able to give something (besides money) to people that you´re taking pictures of!
Thanks! I think I am going to have to buy a polaroid camera for my future travels (my friend is the one who had it on this trip) because it had such an amazing impact and way to get to meet people especially the women and children. Everyone loved it and was so excited to have their photos especially since many have never had their picture taken or even owned one. Really cool.