Originally Posted by
camsean
Yes Ethiopia is very poor but instead of being "horrifed" give something back by spending at local businesses and being genourous to the people you meet.
Agreed. I have been to Ethiopia more than just the two times spent at the Sheraton. (I've also stayed at the Hilton.) When in Addis, I usually stay at the Ghion, still an okay hotel.
My comments about poverty probably reflect my perspective as a person doing relief work (inside and outside Addis, and in Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan and Djibouti). Juxtapose a month in a medical relief setting with a visit to the Sheraton and you might be horrified too. And consider the different perspective one would get walking the streets of Addis - 20 miles a day, largely in outlying areas - as opposed to taking taxis or spending most of one's time in the city centre.