That need recently received its biggest boost with Ethiopian Airways once again operating flights between Addis and Mekele. Much of the Ethiopian highlands has opened up, allowing for movement, trade, and visitors. As said in a recent Instagram post, with this so the rise in confidence is beginning to be felt abroad. We’re dealing with a lot more enquiries – new as well as repeat – and we have a group travelling to Lalibela and to the Simiens Mountains next month.
Indeed, we’re already thinking ahead to 2024, which is the 50th anniversary of the discovery of Lucy (Australopithecus afarensis) promises to be a most auspicious year. The discovery of Lucy (named so after Lucy and the Sky of Diamonds), its legacy, and the fact that she is evidence of Ethiopia being the cradle of mankind, is a source of more than mere pride: she is known in Amharic as ‘Dinkinesh’, which means ‘you are marvellous’, and people’s love for her is such that there was enormous pushback against her six-year tour of the United States between 2007 and 2013 – her eventual return precipitated a national day of celebration.