Inside the "The City of Saints":Harar

Entering the modern part of Harar Fruit & veggies for sale
    One of the five main gates into the old walled city of Harar Jugol, which was included in the World Heritage List in 2006 by UNESCO in recognition of its cultural heritage. Driving along the outside of the wall Small Mosque Little boy & heart etched graffiti Another of the five gates...the Western gate Inside the walled city ~ with over 360 twisting and winding alleys squeezed into 1 square kilometer The colours of the houses & walls were so amazing especially on this misty day     "Narrow Lane" My eldest, Owen & a beautiful blue wall The women, be them maidens, mothers or crone, amaze me... Kai, my second son has a huge heart that often has questions about what he is experiencing thus is never too far from me as we travel in Ethiopia...     Me & my boys...  

Harar is the Islam capital of Ethiopia and it is sometimes known in Arabic as "the City of Saints" ("Madinat al-Awilya"). This tiny ancient city is crammed with 82 mosques, colourful markets, coffee shops and crumbling walls. 

Since being founded in the 7th century by Arab immigrants, it has been a major trading center, linked by the trade routes with the rest of Ethiopia, the entire Horn of Africa, the ports of the Arabian Peninsula  to the outside world. 

Even though I've never been to Morocco, but it reminds me of it and makes me dream of traveling to Morocco even more!

Dira Dawa (on our way to Harar)

After hours of driving...we made the decision to go to Dira Dawa first before heading to our final destination of Harar. It was 4am by the time we found a hotel...

 

Horse drawn carriage in the Muslim Quarter of Dira Dawa.. Love the colours...

 

Colourful baskets for sale...

Heading towards the market area...

Somali Sweets!! Leaving town..on our way to Harar   A woman with firewood walking on the start of a very high mountain road Mini van ~ the main mode of travel for Ethiopia between towns
Coca-Cola trucks are EVERYWHERE!! Random mountain top house...   Goats are also EVERYWHERE!! As are donkeys...    

After spending a few days in Dira Dawa, we made our way back up the mountain road towards Harar.

     

Working for Bale Mountain Lodge...Sendafa Market

"A unique wilderness lodge in one of the most amazing places on earth"

Over the past year I have had the privilege of working with Guy and Yvonne Levene, the owners of  Bale Mountain Lodge, on their Interior Design scheme. As a student of Interior Styling at ISCD, it has such an amazing opportunity and journey.

These pictures were taken last August at the Sendafa market during one of our sourcing trips. In keeping with the Eco and cultural friendly philosophy of Bale Mountain Lodge, we sourced the designs we used for the lodge from local markets and artisans. 

The Lodge is now open...and it is a fantastic place to spend your next holiday. Check it out here for more information and reservation details.

Photos:

1. My reflection in the company truck

2 & 3. The basket section of Sendafa market

4. Yvonne checking out the various types of baskets on offer

5. And the price negotiation begins...with many interested onlookers

6. Handmade pots used for cooking local dishes like wat or shiro

7 & 8. Our little helpers carrying our selections back to the truck

9. Donkeys...they are everywhere!

10 & 11. Loading the truck becomes a bit of a party!

12 & 13. Next stop - the pottery market

14.  Traditional fire pots for outdoor use

15.Yvonne & her helper finish loading the truck ~ it's been a great day!

16. Inside the truck

17. Waiting for (donkey) traffic to pass so we can set off for Addis Ababa!