Ethiopia

[Martin00]

I don't agree for 980 birr / 2 weeks.

You get unlimited wifFi access, I stream down apple music all day long and it works wonderful.

John.

Was it fast and reliable? Also for laptop tethering?

[John Auro]

Out of curiosity I tried to find again the bordello slums behind the old train station "La Gare". I have seen them already about 8 years ago. Curiosity because most of these shags disappeared because of new housing construction. Some new double-lane road was punched out from an area there was no road before.

Pass by La Gare on the left side on a curved lane, soon you will cross an old rail from the station, (marked blue-rainbow colour on the sketch), next turn go left and follow the dirt road for some minutes. On the left side along the us road you will see small coloured doors or curtains with girls behind (marked with an "A" on my sketch). I did not check them, as its preferable to speak Amharic or to be accompanied by an Amharic speaking friend. But I imagine a bang should not be more than 100 birr (3 Euro) which is the value of 2 simple meals like a shiro?
Anyone hard core guy will volunteer and rapport... LoL. Actually no Amahric needed, just show a 100 birr note and see if she pulls U in behind the door.

You have to drive back the same way as the road towards Mesqual Scquare is blocked by the new Chinese's roads.

John.

[John Auro]

I don't agree for 980 birr / 2 weeks.

You get unlimited wifFi access, I stream down apple music all day long and it works wonderful.

John.

To add to what DG said, Don't buy 'unlimited' Internet bundle, a complete waste of money because what you get is extremely limited by speed and reliability. Best to use the scratch card (pay as you go) to get data on your mobile, much cheaper than any alternative. I actually tether my laptop to my cell to get work done most of the time, at about 25% of the cost I used to pay for unlimited bundle.

Most hotels in Addis (and Ethiopia) have real crappy wifi, only higher end hotels have consistently reliable wifi (Sapphire & Magnolia in Bole area, and chain brands Hilton, Sheraton,. You get the idea).

[Kib123]

For those who venture out of Addis, I was in Mekelle recently and found it to be a good mongering scene just by scanning different neighborhoods.

I saw plenty of rub and shag joints, almost all on the south side of town. I visited 2 located in the same building here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yrR1rRKPdxtVv7pf8 . Both are located on the second floor (American or 1st floor everywhere else). One with entrance facing North had a hot chick who seemed to be the owner, gave me a professional grade massage for a full 40+ minutes, which apparently comes with an expertly done L1. I am not a HJ fan, but I didn't want to interrupt the program, plus she was real good. I didn't ask but I think it is possible to upgrade on a second visit. Damage was 250 birr all inclusive.

The 2nd parlor I went to has an entrance facing the east (you have to walk out of the building and go around the corner). The place looked relatively new, but was your typical parlor, 4 girls plus the owner sitting around. I made my selection and the massage was above average for a rub and shag joint. She also had very good IOP despite the fact that she refused to take off her bra. What I didn't like was that massage was 300 birr. I told the owner to cut it to 200 to attract customers, and she gave me business cards to give my friends. Total damage was 700.

Driving along the road where Desta International hotel is located I saw quite a few signs for parlors, but I was with a church crew, so couldn't sneak away or inquire.

The streets around the minibus station in down town seems to be the red light district. I even stumbled on what looked like a strip club. A lady wearing almost nothing beckoned me into a neon lit room. I peeked inside and saw semi nude ladies sitting around and obviously waiting for suckers. I decided against going in by myself with no Amharic. I would be a ripoff manna from heaven.

The same area is also a pick pocket hot spot, so watch out. They tried to swipe my phone from my pocket by first stepping on my shoe to create a distraction. Two ladies stood very close behind me to block view and a dude tried to reach for my pocket, as the one who stepped on me kept apologizing profusely. Very slick but didn't work. Phone was in my front pocket and I was wearing tight jeans, and the overdone apology got me suspicious real quick.

Monger safely my friends!

[Kib123]

So not sure I completely get your points: seems 4 G is only available with the one and only mobile operator, but is it a good 4 G in terms of speed and stability?

Also, is the WiFi in hotels good or crap?

Thanks!

To add to what DG said, Don't buy 'unlimited' Internet bundle, a complete waste of money because what you get is extremely limited by speed and reliability. Best to use the scratch card (pay as you go) to get data on your mobile, much cheaper than any alternative. I actually tether my laptop to my cell to get work done most of the time, at about 25% of the cost I used to pay for unlimited bundle.

Most hotels in Addis (and Ethiopia) have real crappy wifi, only higher end hotels have consistently reliable wifi (Sapphire & Magnolia in Bole area, and chain brands Hilton, Sheraton,. You get the idea).

[DarrenGap]

Here the link:

https://www.ethiotelecom.et/mobile-internet/

John Auro,

It seems more expensive than the 30 euros you mentioned? Anyway cost is not a matter, as long as it works as good alternative to WiFi.

Thanks.

Here's a tip: don't go to Ethiopia for any kind of high tech service.

In smaller hotels and businesses any wifi may be supplied via a 4 g router using a sim. And the government may cut that off for any reason at any time.

Broadband is considered to be 128 k upwards.

Bigger hotels will have a landline so the broadband will be unreliable and slow. Don't expect to download a 4 k film.

In fact if you've got a et sim you should be able to simply buy credit strips and using some kind of star number combo have it automatically be used for smartphone, data etc.

I never use more than 200 birr a week. feel free to pay more.... the additional payment won't guarantee any better service.

One visit i had to reconfigure my dns servers on my laptop to not use the ethiopia supplied ones as they were down. not for any political reason, just that they were not working...

https://www.ethiotelecom.et/unlimited-premium-mobile-service/

Everything else from tv stations to any kind of infrastructure is usually crap in Addis, nearly non existant outside.

Most large hotels will have a generator and adequate water, most smaller hotels will have a candle and some "ambo". (bottled water).

Case in point: the recent train service to Dijbouti, is now much reduced as they've already had a major crash.

There's a reason we can screw their young ladies for the price of a macdonalds happy meal.

[Martin00]

Here the link:

https://www.ethiotelecom.et/mobile-internet/

John Auro,

It seems more expensive than the 30 euros you mentioned? Anyway cost is not a matter, as long as it works as good alternative to WiFi.

Thanks.

[Martin00]

Hi MM.

ET is an ex-communist country and many things from that area still are influencing daily life!!

For example any international banks are forbidden.

There is only one State telephone company- so take it or leave it!!

For 990 birr ( 30 EURO) you get a 2 weeks unlimited flate rate.

Passport and 1 hour waiting will give a a SiM card at the government ETHIO TELECOM offices

Even uploading this report was big shit, tried 3 times!

Traffic jams are just a horror, i only drive between 11:00 and 15:00 and after 21:00 but still than no guarntee !!.

So not sure I completely get your points: seems 4 G is only available with the one and only mobile operator, but is it a good 4 G in terms of speed and stability?

Also, is the WiFi in hotels good or crap?

Thanks!

[John Auro]

Hi MM.

ET is an ex-communist country and many things from that area still are influencing daily life!!

For example any international banks are forbidden.

There is only one State telephone company- so take it or leave it!!

For 990 birr ( 30 EURO) you get a 2 weeks unlimited flate rate.

Passport and 1 hour waiting will give a a SiM card at the government ETHIO TELECOM offices

Even uploading this report was big shit, tried 3 times!

Traffic jams are just a horror, i only drive between 11:00 and 15:00 and after 21:00 but still than no guarntee !!

I remember I fainted in the long queue of trucks and buses and its carbonmonoxide clouds and I pulled over my car on a side lane for an hour to recover!!

Same petrol shortage and the stress passing the 5th petrol station final to get fuel.

ATTENTION every day power cuts until water dams are full again (in August! Some Hotels have power generator but not always WiFi works with power generated electricity ! Power generated is limited to hours, I regret not to have a power bank for my laptop here!

Rain and cold is coming up to November, no heating in rooms so 12 Celsius in the morning in your pension room is normal, blankets are provided.

John.

[Martin00]

Hello guys!

Nice to see this country forum well alive and active! I was in Madagascar last winter and planning my next African adventure, maybe in Ethiopia reading your nice reports.

Since I often carry with me work responsibilities while travelling, I wanted to check with you the Internet situation since the search in the forum did not return any recent information and mobile technology moves fast in Africa too. Questions:

1) is it easy to get a 4 G data plan on SIM card?

2) is the 4 G fast and stable or not so much?

3) what are the best mobile providers in terms of coverage and data speed?

4) is it possible to find fast and reliable WiFi in high standard hotels?

As said, last year I was in Madagascar and in 5 starts hotel the WiFi was pretty good, plus the 4 G fast and strong when in the cities. I hope Ethiopia can be the same!

Thanks!

MM.

[Kib123]

Hi. Is the Sapphire reasonably girl friendly?

Yes, they usually just need to register / leave ID at reception.

[WhizzKid]

Yes Concorde is the same.

Hi. Is the Sapphire reasonably girl friendly?

[Darksol]

Checked out the area around Edna Mall first. Han? Massage right down past the hotel strip to the right. Picked the dolled up youngest one but she wanted 1000 for HJ. Very inexperienced and I kinda got frustrated, threw her 400 total and walked out.

Mickey Leland area is much better IMO as good concentration of MPs and plenty of cheap working girls about the area as backup.

Bouncing off previous posts I explored the area sharply diagonally Opposite YOLO Hotel towards the south (plus first to right down it) yielded a good concentration of MPs. Took a slightly plump gal called Tina at Blens who did a great massage and slightly withdrawn but friendly sex. I gave her 200+500 + an extra 100 for not even discussing money with me. Just getting straight to it after the (relatively) competent massage. She knelt on her knees and stuck her butt up in the air very invitingly.

Second try here was not so good. Very poor massage and the girl was not feeling well or something. I said, stop stop. I'll go but she insisted she was fine. But I called it quits soon after.

Important info There are short time rooms on the SE side of Mickey Leland St, just to the NE of the intersection with Namibia St.

The entrance has up to a dozen cars parked, o if you don't want to sully your hotel bed you can have a quickly here.

I picked an older more experienced Street walker (a grumpy 300 Bir) at the entrance who spoke half-decent English who showed me where the room was (that's how I discovered it). Rooms are 100? At least that's what she said and gave to door boy. Definitely a decent proportion of younger hotter, even "little spinners" round that intersection esp. To North and East. They are mostly shy or aloof – but approachable enough. Never pushy. Talked to a bunch.

[Kib123]

The parlors (there are plenty of street signs to guide you to these places from long distances, so you can't miss them):

The street behind Central Hawassa has 4 parlors:

Amazing; the cleanest and most classy-looking. Usually about 6 - 8 ladies, quality mostly sub par, but 1-2 hotties common. Never had to walk away due to lineup. Performance has been mostly average to disappointing, except one girl called Selam who was very good and I repeated with many times.

Candle Night; almost opposite Amazing. Clean but low key vs Amazing, selection usually limited to 2-5 ladies. Quality can vary a lot, but the ladies go back to the 'inner sanctum' after intro, so easy to walk away if you don't like. I've had one bad experience here, the rest have been good to very good.

Adse; Same street as the other two, just walk south. The best selection (quality and numbers) by far is found here. Lineup usually 6 - 10 ladies, mostly hot to very hot. Been here more times than any other place, and have had only one sharky lady (did not bite) and 2 sub par experiences. Most will deliver a solid performance. Rahel, Gnet, and Netsanet are some regulars I remember for their performance.

Mommy; opposite Adse. Same quality of ladies as Adse (I've met some in both), but smaller lineup (4 - 5 normally). I have had no bad experience here, and the ladies are least greedy, will normally accept the 400 with no need for silly negotiation.

Main street (bar scene) has 2 parlors:

Royal; not far from Hawassa College of Ag roundabout. The street is busy, so hard to walk into this place without feeling like everyone is judging the shit out of you. Only went in once, but selection was poor, only 2 ladies. Got a very good, but short, massage. Full service was mediocre. No need to go back.

White Bird; down the same road, just a much busier entrance. Never mustered courage to walk in.

Between main street and Heron-Lake View hotel street:

New Flower; near Lake View, walk towards Heron hotel. Lineup mostly average to mediocre with a hottie thrown in, 4 - 6 ladies. My best and most memorable experiences (near GFE-type, DFK and all) in Hawassa have been here. I attribute it to luck, 3 different ladies, 3 superior to out-of-this world experiences. My first MSOG in EMP was here.

Classic; near New Flower. Went here once, didn't like selection.

Kal; near classic. The most low key parlor in this territory. Lineup usually 2-4 ladies, quality varies, but at least 1 hottie. Been here twice, very poor experiences both times.

Unique; near Kal. Has one of the larger lineups (6 - 10+ ladies), but poor quality in my books. First time I had to walk away, second time picked one with a perfect body, but not face. Excellent massage, but too greedy so I cut my losses and run.

As a cautionary note: there are quite a few ladies in Hawassa MPs who are getting greedy (more so than Addis), insisting on 1000+ tip for full service. It is better to decline and cut your losses, even if they decide to 'change their mind' at the last minute.

[Kib123]

Hawassa may eventually displace Addis as the mongering capital of Ethiopia. On a per capita basis it is holding its own.

The bar scene is a great way to pick up hot freelancers, including waitresses (much better quality than Addis). Best quality is found on a stretch both sides of the main road running parallel to the lake shore, southwards from the College of Agriculture roundabout to the sharp bend. More than 40 bars that get packed with hotties nightly from about 7 pm. The only catch is that you need some Amharic (or a wingman), otherwise it can be very challenging.

Massage parlors remain my favorite due to my lack of Amharic and the anonymity they provide. Hawassa has a truckload of them. The streets within the small triangle covering Central Hawassa, Heron, and Lake View hotels have at least 10 massage parlors. I have visited most and will provide a summary of each in part II.

General points:

All of the parlors now allow you to choose a lady (an improvement from about a year ago), but you may need to ask at the reception as it is not automatic in every place (just say "choose girl".

The house fee (220 everywhere) is paid separately from the tip, at checkout desk. What you negotiate with the lady is only her tip (typically 400, or 200 for HJ).

The ladies usually don't sit at the reception like in Addis, they come from the inner sanctum to introduce themselves one by one, and stand there awkwardly in a lineup or go back. The former makes choosing easier, but can make things real awkward if the selection is sub par. How do you walk away? I prefer the latter, because it is easier to walk away if you don't like what you saw. But then you have to remember the name or sequence of the one you liked. One time I had to redo a lineup due to forgetting, understandably this was not appreciated much by the ladies.