Okay, so here’s the story about how I got from Addis Ababa to Mekele. It was a journey, let me tell you!
First off, I decided I needed to go. I mean, really needed to go. Had some business there, nothing too exciting, but it had to be done. So, I started looking at options. Flights, buses… the usual.
Flights were obviously the fastest, but damn, they were expensive! I checked Ethiopian Airlines, saw the prices, and nearly choked on my coffee. Nope, that wasn’t gonna work for my budget. So, I scratched that idea.
Next, I looked at buses. A whole different ball game. Long, bumpy, potentially overcrowded… but way cheaper. I went down to the Meskel Square bus station in Addis. That place is a madhouse! So many people, so many buses, everyone shouting. It’s an experience, to say the least.
I walked around, asking about buses to Mekele. Finally, I found one that looked… reasonably okay. The seats weren’t ripped to shreds, and it didn’t smell too bad. I bought a ticket. The guy at the counter barely spoke English, but we managed to communicate through gestures and numbers. I paid in cash, got my ticket, and made a mental note to bring snacks for the ride.
The bus was scheduled to leave early the next morning. Like, really early. I set my alarm for 5 AM, which is a crime against nature, but I dragged myself out of bed. I grabbed a quick breakfast, packed my bag, and headed back to Meskel Square.
The bus was already packed when I got there. I shoved my way on board, found my seat (which was next to the window, thankfully), and settled in. We waited for another hour while the driver loaded up even more people and luggage onto the roof. Seriously, how much stuff can you fit on one bus?
Finally, we pulled out of Addis. The journey began. And it was… long. Really long. The roads were bumpy, the scenery was mostly dry and dusty, and the music the driver was playing was… well, let’s just say it wasn’t my taste. I spent most of the time staring out the window, listening to music on my headphones, and trying not to think about how much longer we had to go.
We stopped a few times along the way for food and bathroom breaks. The food was usually injera with some kind of stew. Pretty standard Ethiopian fare. The bathrooms… well, let’s just say they were an experience too. Bring your own toilet paper, folks.
The sun beat down on the bus all day. It got hot, dusty, and crowded. People were talking, laughing, arguing… it was a real mix of humanity. I tried to strike up a conversation with my neighbor, but his English was even worse than my Amharic. We exchanged a few smiles and then gave up.
After what felt like an eternity, we finally arrived in Mekele. I was exhausted, dusty, and slightly deaf from the loud music, but I had made it. I hopped off the bus, grabbed my bag, and headed to my hotel. A hot shower and a good night’s sleep were definitely in order.
So, yeah, that’s how I got from Addis Ababa to Mekele. It wasn’t glamorous, it wasn’t comfortable, but it was an adventure. And hey, I saved a bunch of money on airfare! Would I do it again? Maybe. But next time, I’m definitely bringing a better playlist and a neck pillow.
- Decided to go
- Checked flights (too expensive)
- Looked at buses
- Went to Meskel Square
- Found a bus
- Bought a ticket
- Set alarm
- Woke up early
- Packed bag
- Headed to bus station
- Boarded the bus
- Waited for departure
- Pulled out of Addis
- Traveled all day
- Stopped for food
- Arrived in Mekele
- Got off the bus
- Went to hotel
