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Ethiopia – When I told friends we were going there this spring, they were almost unanimous: “Why would you want to go there….isn’t it the poorest country in Africa…..aren’t they still in the midst of a famine….is it safe?” And the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Max 8, a few weeks before we departed Canada, didn’t help.

Yes, they are poor, but proud. So proud.

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Yes food shortages and poverty are continuing issues, and armed conflict and the potential for ethnic violence exists near the borders with Kenya, Sudan and Eritrea, so it is always best to check the government advisor website first.

Abiy Ahmed, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, has just been awarded the Model Peace Prize for his work on restarting peace talks with neighbouring Eritrea and beginning to restore freedoms in his country after decades of political and economic repression.

In the ten days we were there, we never once felt unsafe.

Photo by Clive Jackson

As we quickly discovered, Ethiopia has extraordinary history and culture, stunning ruins, and beautiful scenery – but until now not many tourists.