Comments on: Superman at the Wheel – on Ethiopia's dangerous roads

By: Abay-bereha

Abay-bereha — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:18:01 +0000

I am surprised the ferenji's "shy bladder" didn't relax when he got to "Abay-Bereha".

By: berta

berta — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:14:37 +0000

Despite trading tough words of war, Meles Zenawi and Isaias Afwerki's crucial concern remains to make sure Ethiopia doesn't slip into the hands of Ethiopians.
Many people make the mistake of looking at Meles and Isaias as sworn enemies, not knowing the 1998-2000 War was between the Tigrians who were TPLF officials and Isaias Afwerki's army.

Meles finished off the Tigrians in 2001, consolidated his power ever since, and would draw the sword against anyone who questions why the Red Sea Port of Assab is given away to punish Ethiopia.

Eritreans quietly admire their man in Addis for aborting Ethiopia's imminent victory over Eritrea, while posing as a leader of Ethiopia – ironically to this day. Both leaders have adopted schemes that neutralize each other's opponents.

The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), for instance, has idled away its time in Asmara, training but losing rounds of its Eritrea-trained rebels to informed Zenawi forces who would wait lying along the border with Sudan.

Likewise, Meles has seemingly extended support to Eritrean opposition groups in Ethiopia. They will count years before they realize that theirs is a dream that will never come true. (Ethiomedia)

By: lemenged

lemenged — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:39:31 +0000

It is indeed a funny story, but I wonder in all sanity we should not forget there are also recurrent fatalities on our roads back home. I think the writer was told there is a death triangle, and which road is this one???! The writer fall short of informing us. But I bet it is the route to AA-Debrezeit/Nazreth. I am not sure now, as there has been a lot of high way upgrades, back five years, everyday, without exaguration all the time I travel out of Addis via that road, I witnessed 99% of the time at least one side fallen, or overturned, spinned, name it, .. vehicle on the road. And all what has been happening was attributed to "ye debrezeit korit". But is it?

See ya,

By: guest

guest — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:09:39 +0000

I was in addis in 2002 for a visit. the taxi drivers drive like crazy in addis too.

By: Himm

Himm — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:10:30 +0000

It is good to read what people had to say. Indeed, it could be a bit different when compared to well-controlled traffic system in Westerns. However, u will see a very crazy driving style with extraordinary driving skills by ordinary people. In Ethiopia, the bus drivers barely overtake or see another vehicle except themselves,however, in most asian countries u will see roads full of vehicles, still driving fast.

By: tsegaye

tsegaye — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:16:39 +0000

This ferenji has captured both the drama and danger of a bus ride in Ethiopia; at least he was lucky to reach his destination without accident and share his story; there are others who have never survived to tell their story and ended up at a destination a bit diffrent than their original destination- graveyard!!!

Having taken these rides, my advise to anybody who dares to take a long bus ride in Ethhiopia is to have your will ready before you embark on a long ride; at least your surviving family members can devide the fortune left behind in peace .

By: Bheilu

Bheilu — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:14:02 +0000

Yes, I have the same experience. When I was in Addis, a few months a go (vacation), my family members told me not to take minibus, because there bad (prone to accident) driving habit.

By: Happy Man

Happy Man — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:06:14 +0000

Thank you Elias for your hard work, I love your web address really. You have always something to read when some web addresses do not upgrade on time even upto 3 days or for a week.

By: bilbao

bilbao — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:02:36 +0000

hahahaha nice one elias.

By: Zenash

Zenash — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:37:40 +0000

If Borrat went to Ethiopia, he would make another good movie. we are becoming almost like the khazakistani people.

I had numerous trips like this on the way to Dire Dawa, Jimma and Nekemte. the struggle by the bus drivers to make it before down was ectasic.

By: weqaw

weqaw — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:31:45 +0000

That is fuuuunnnnneeeeyy! Thanks Elias we all need that!