Ethiopia Travel Podcast with Dawit Bekele cover art

Podcast

Ethiopia Travel Podcast with Dawit Bekele

71 episodesLatest 4 days agoNew episode
Recorded in EthiopiaAbout EthiopiaEnglishSociety & CulturePlaces & TravelDocumentaryEducation
Ethiopia Travel Podcast follows one person settling in a place long enough to learn it, then moving somewhere connected to it. Travel in Ethiopia is distinctive because the terrain is a high plateau split by the Great Rift Valley, and the climate shifts with altitude. The population is dense in the northern and central highlands, especially around Addis Ababa. The host's range includes Addis Ababa, where population density is highest, the Simien Mountains in the north, Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile, and Gheralta in Tigray, known for churches cut into sandstone cliffs. These places differ in language, religion and climate, reflecting more than eighty ethnic groups. The episodes track Ethiopia's seasons, from the short rains to the long rains, and return to the same towns and valleys as the year unfolds. A market, an Orthodox festival, a harvest or a dry-season journey becomes clearer on the second visit. By staying put, the podcast lets knowledge accumulate. Dawit Bekele lives in Ethiopia and stays for two years, moving between cities, coastlines and smaller towns on a route that follows the seasons. Not a week-long visit — Dawit is there in every kind of weather, working out where to eat on an ordinary Tuesday, which train to take, what a festival actually feels like from the pavement. A new episode arrives every day. Each one is short and specific: one neighbourhood, one journey, one meal, one museum worth the detour — with the practical detail that matters. What it costs. When it closes. Whether the queue is worth it. What to do when it rains. Every episode carries a full transcript and chapter markers. ☕ Enjoying the show? These episodes are free and stay that way because listeners chip in — if a coffee's worth it, support the journey: buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo Part of Paris2Tokyo — one show for each of the world's hundred most-visited countries. Made for travelers, wherever you are going next. #Ethiopia #EthiopiaTravel #EastAfrica #AddisAbaba #TravelPodcast #Travel #Paris2Tokyo https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/ethiopia/

Episodes — page 2

  1. Meskel Fires and the Lasta Ridge Walk

    Day eleven in Lalibela as the town prepares for Meskel. Dawit walks the ridge to Asheton Maryam, navigates the new conservation footbridges at the rock churches, and reflects on th…

    S2 E1110:38
  2. Meskel Fire and the Lasta Ridge Walk

    As Meskel approaches, Dawit explores the green slopes of Asheton Maryam, reflects on the rhythm of pilgrimage in Lalibela, and shares practical tips for navigating the town’s costs…

    S2 E1009:49
  3. Meskel Preparations and Church Conservation in Lalibela

    Dawit navigates the rainy tail-end of Kiremt in Lalibela, observing conservation scaffolding on the rock-hewn churches and the early yellow carpets of adey abeba daisies ahead of M…

    S2 E911:19
  4. Lalibela Rain and the Rhythm of Stone

    Dawit navigates the tail end of the kiremt rains in Lalibela, walking the new footbridges to Bete Giyorgis, discussing the economics of church conservation, and reflecting on the l…

    S2 E810:22
  5. Lalibela September Rains and Church Conservation Works

    Day seven in Lalibela. Dawit walks the muddy paths between the rock-hewn churches, noting the new footbridges and scaffolding from conservation projects, while reflecting on the rh…

    S2 E710:59
  6. Lalibela Rain and Rock Churches

    Dawit explores the new infrastructure at Lalibela's rock-hewn churches, hikes to Asheton Maryam for ridge views, and navigates the practicalities of living in the Amhara highlands…

    S2 E610:47
  7. Walking the Ridge and Reading the Stone

    Day five in Lalibela: navigating the new footbridges between the rock-hewn churches, hiking Asheton Maryam at dawn, and settling into the rhythm of the Lasta highlands. ☕ Enjoying…

    S2 E509:25
  8. Asheton Maryam and the Lasta Ridge Walk

    Dawit hikes to Asheton Maryam monastery for panoramic views of the Lasta massif, explores the quieter cave churches around Yimrehane Kristos, and reflects on the rhythm of life in…

    S2 E410:11
  9. Enkutatash Echoes in the Rock Churches

    Dawit explores Lalibela three days after Enkutatash, reflecting on the lingering celebrations, the cost of the church pass, and the rhythm of daily life in the Amhara highlands. ☕…

    S2 E310:51
  10. Enkutatash Dawn in the Rock-Hewn Churches

    Dawit wakes to Enkutatash in Lalibela, navigating the steep alleys to Bete Giyorgis before dawn. He reflects on the history of the Zagwe dynasty, the cost of the church pass, and t…

    S2 E210:12
  11. Lalibela Arrival and the Road from Gonder

    Dawit arrives in Lalibela after a long drive from Gondar, navigating the final stretch through the Lasta highlands. He settles into a guesthouse on the ridge, explores the rock-hew…

    S2 E109:00
  12. Last Light in Gondar Before the Journey North

    Dawit spends his final full day in Gonder, navigating city works and security tensions while preparing for Meskel. He reflects on residency logistics, local costs, and the road ahe…

    S1 E4010:09
  13. Last Light in Gondar Before the Journey North

    Dawit spends his final full day in Gonder, walking the Piazza at dusk, sharing a last meal with friends, and preparing for the long road north to Lalibela and the Simien Mountains.…

    S1 E3908:38
  14. Gonder Morning: Meskel Fire and the Piazza

    Day eleven in Gonder. I walk through the Piazza at dawn, visit a local bank to sort out residency logistics, and reflect on the city's quiet tension as Meskel approaches. ☕ Enjoyi…

    S1 E3809:33
  15. Gonder Meskel Preparations and the Green Season

    Day ten in Gonder as the city prepares for Meskel. Dawit explores the Piazza, visits Debre Berhan Selassie, and navigates the practicalities of living here amid tense security and…

    S1 E3709:07
  16. Gonder Green Walls and the Meskel Fire

    Dawit walks through Gonder’s Piazza district on a rainy September morning, reflecting on the restored Fasil Ghebbi, the tense security situation, and the quiet preparations for the…

    S1 E3610:19
  17. Gonder Green Walls and the Meskel Fire

    Dawit walks through Gonder's restored royal enclosure, visits Debre Berhan Selassie, and reflects on the city's preparations for the Meskel festival while navigating daily life. ☕…

    S1 E3510:14
  18. Gonder's Green Walls and the Meskel Fire

    Dawit explores the newly restored Fasil Ghebbi and the serene Qusquam complex, discusses the ongoing security tensions in Amhara, shares practical costs for food and entry fees, an…

    S1 E3409:45
  19. Gonder Green Walls and the Meskel Fire

    Dawit explores the restored Fasil Ghebbi, visits the quieter Qusquam complex, and reflects on Meskel preparations and travel logistics amid security tensions. ☕ Enjoying the show?…

    S1 E3309:49
  20. Gonder's Green Walls and the Meskel Fire

    Dawit explores the restored Fasil Ghebbi, visits Debre Berhan Selassie for its angel ceiling, and walks the quiet hills of Qusquam as Gondar prepares for the Meskel festival. ☕ En…

    S1 E3210:39
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