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 Days
of Wine
and
Roses at Sheraton Addis Ababa
by
Jerry W. Bird
 My
inner child loves surprises, and to
discover a freshly cut sweetheart rose
from the horn of Africa nestled on one's
pillow is a touch that transcends time and
space. This was the first surprise the
Sheraton Addis reserved for our group, and
much more awaited us the next morning as
we explored the halls, nooks and crannies
of this elegant hotel and
its
spacious,
luxuriant, terraced grounds. Later, we
discovered ornate vases of Ethiopian roses
literally everywhere; in the restaurants,
around the lobby and corridors, at the
pool-side, and at a festive wedding we
attended on our first evening there.
Freshly cut roses perfumed the air at
other locations throughout the
city.
After
asking around, we discovered that these
fragrant blooms were home grown &emdash; a
budding new industry that's capturing
hearts and markets in Europe and the USA.
Since Addis Ababa means "new flower " in
Amharic it is significant that this 8-year
old cut flower business is flourishing
nearby. Water for continuous irrigation of
the flower beds is pumped and gravity-fed
from Lake Zama. Already exporting over
100,000 roses weekly and employing over
200 workers, Meskel Flowers, is expected
to more than double in the next few
years.
The
other side of the equation came that same
night on the Sheraton's broad balcony, as
we watched the "dancing waters" pulsate to
a classic symphony. It was the discovery
that Ethiopia has become a wine producing
center. Prior to dinner we were treated to
a domestic dry red wine produced by the
Gouder company. Our host was quick with a
local quip -- "Champagne is good, but
Gouder is gooder." Ethiopian vintners also
make a palate pleasing dry white
wine.
When
asked about our stay in Addis Ababa during
February and again in May of 2000, I state
emphatically that the whole time was one
extended celebration. Few times in my life
have I felt so much at home, laid back and
yet so very special. The hospitality began
with the staff at the pleasant hotels we
stayed at, and extended to so many of the
people we met, from local tour operators
to embassy staff, merchants, tour guides,
doormen, you name it.
Luxury
Collection:
As one of Sheraton's "Luxury Collection"
hotels, the Sheraton Addis combines
Ethiopia's richest cultural elements and
traditions with international and
neoclassical architecture. Aware of Addis
Ababa's position as one of the world's
great crossroads of the aviation age,
Sheraton offers upscale banquet and
conference facilities for up to 1,500. The
hotel's state-of-the-art Business Center
provides secretarial and computer
services, with e-mail and
fax-printout.
Location, Location, Location: The
Sheraton Addis is conveniently close to
the Capital's key attractions and historic
sites, including Ethiopia's National
Palace, the National Museum, St. George's
Cathedral and the "Merkato," Africa's
largest open air market. For relaxation in
soothing waters, the famous Filwoha
Springs thermal baths are nearby. The
United Nations Center is just 5 km from
the hotel, and it's a 7 km taxi ride to
the International Airport.
Sheraton
Addis offers the largest and most
prestigious banquet and conference
facilities in Ethiopia, providing over
1,500 sq. meters of meeting space. The 9
main meeting rooms can be subdivided into
12 and includes the magnificent Lalibela
Grand Ballroom with a capacity of up to
1500 guests. The hotel has 5 restaurants:
an Italian, an Indian, a French Gourmet
restaurant, a pool restaurant specializing
in barbecue, and an all day dining
room.
PO Box
6002, Woreda 14, Kebele 24, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia .
Tel: (251) 1 - 171717, Fax (251) 1 -
172727
Jerry W.
Bird is President of the Africa Travel
Association (ATA ) Canada Chapter, Editor
and Publisher of Africa Travel Magazine,
and Webmaster for the ATA site
www.africa-ata.org. He also publishes Air
Highways Magazine, the Journal of Open
Skies, featuring aviation, tourism,
transportation and business worldwide.
His
career began with the Edmonton Journal
Daily Newspaper in Western Canada and
later expanded into the full spectrum of
media - radio, television, magazines and
Internet. He has won international awards
for creativity in audio visual and print
production.
Contact africa@dowco.com
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