Lost city found in Ethiopia

by Sean McLachlan on

One of Africa’s most interesting countries has just got a new site to visit.

An ancient Muslim city thought lost for a thousand years has recently been discovered. A team of French archaeologists have found the location of the medieval trading center of Gendebelo.

While Ethiopia is famous for being the second oldest Christian country in the world (after Armenia), about half of the population is Muslim and the two communities have lived side by side for centuries, sometimes peacefully, sometimes not.

Gendebelo was part of the more peaceful exchange, acting as a focus for trade between the two cultures.

The archaeologists puzzled out the location of the city with the help of an old manuscript that an earlier researcher had found in the Muslim city of Harar, where it was being used for wrapping sugar. The manuscript told the tale of a 16th century Venetian explorer who had found the ruins of Gendebelo in the desert and gave vague references to the city being “the place where mules are to be unloaded and camels take over.”

That was enough for the archaeologists, who realized the explorer meant the escarpment that marks the borderland between the rough highlands and the arid Danakil Depression. It was here that merchants who used mules (the Christians) and those who used camels (the Muslims) met for mutual profit.

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The French team was able to pinpoint the site as being a medieval city now known as Nora. It’s been abandoned for years except for the mosque, which is still used by local farmers. Legends say that in ancient times the people of Nora were so rich that on his wedding day one young man paved the road to his bride’s town with injera bread. Allah grew so angry at this conspicuous consumption that he destroyed the town with a rain of ash.

The ruins of Nora are a bit out of the way for modern travel, but planned excavations will almost certainly reveal some fine remains, and the town may become a new tourist sight. In the meantime, one great Muslim center of civilization, Harar, is still very much in use. The city is in the eastern part of Ethiopia and is considered the fourth holiest sight for Muslims after Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. The people of Harar are majority Muslim, but there’s a large Christian population too. Both speak Harari, a Semitic language related to Arabic and Hebrew. Jews also used to live in the area, but they fled to Israel and other countries during Ethiopia’s civil war in the 1980s.

Harar was founded more than a thousand years ago and is still enclosed by a city wall, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides the walls, there are three mosques dating to the tenth century, and the house of the French poet Rimbaud, who lived here when we was working as a gun runner and hanging out with the local governor, who was the father of Haile Selassie. Another weird sight is the nightly feeding of the hyenas.

Have you been to Ethiopia? Tell us about your experiences in the comments section. I’m taking my wife there for our tenth anniversary and I’m open to suggestions of places to go!

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Unaccompanied minor told to drink coffee by Northwest Airlines employee – gets sick

by Scott Carmichael on

We’ll file this one under “lawsuit in the making”. When Payton Parkerson was on her way to see her mother, she was flying as an unaccompanied minor – something she’d done several times before. This trip would turn out to be quite different.

During a layover in Detroit, she mentioned to the Northwest Airlines employee accompanying her that she was tired. Instead of providing a listening ear or a friendly smile, the employee told her to go and get herself a cup of coffee.

Now, millions of people grab a cup of joe at the Airport Starbucks every day, but Payton is 8. That’s right – this 8 year old who was being assisted by Northwest Airlines (their service costs $100) was told to go get some coffee, and pay for it herself.

Of course, with that much caffeine in her system, Payton got sick, and threw up twice on her flight. Thankfully a pediatrician was on board, and was able to take care of the poor kid.

Northwest Airlines issued the following statement: “We are continuing our investigation as the story you have provided us doesn’t match our records”.

No idea what that means, but as with all stories, there may be a different side to this one.

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Undiscovered New York: Cooking up a storm

by Jeremy Kressmann on

It’s no big secret that New York is absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to food. If you need any proof, Undiscovered New York has already reviewed a whole slew of New York City’s more interesting eating neighborhoods and cuisines.

Yet one of the greatest benefits of all this great food is that you don’t even have to go to one of New York’s many restaurants to enjoy it. New York is also a really great place to learn more about the art and science of food, including the practicalities of how to cook it. Whether you’re an avid Top Chef viewer looking to kick off that fledgling culinary career, or just a casual cooking fan looking to pick up a new skill, the city has a diverse range of culinary schools and classes to fit your timing and budget.

The other truth about New Yorkers and food is that they’re not just passionate about great cooking – they’re passionate about great ingredients. Ever wonder why some people swoon over a great Pinot or some smooth French Brie? Or why New Yorkers like to hate on Starbucks coffee so much? Plan to make time for a number of great food classes specializing in the intricacies of palate-pleasing foods like cheese, wine and coffee.

So go grab those chef pants, cleanse that palate and bring along your best whisk, this week Undiscovered New York shows you how to “cook up a storm” on your next visit. Click below to learn where…
Cooking Classes
Not only is taking a cooking class a great way to learn a new skill. It’s also a great way to learn more about what makes New York tick. Each year thousands of students come to the city hoping to catch their big break at one of New York’s world-class restaurants. Many inevitably find their way to one of the city’s several culinary schools. But the best part is that temporary visitors can also take advantage of these school’s programs by taking a day-long class.

In addition to 6 and 11 month-long career programs, The Institute for Culinary Education also offers 4-5 hour “recreational” sessions on a variety of cuisines. For around $100, you can learn how to make your own sushi, cook a great risotto or taste a few craft beers. Why not take a cooking class with you and that special someone? Or get a gift certificate for an interesting birthday present?

Great Coffee
New York coffee chain Joe The Art of Coffee is serious about their brew. It’s only natural then that the chain also offers a variety of java-themed courses to help teach joe-lovers a thing or two about a quality cup. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about espresso, proper milk steaming techniques or how to brew a great cup of coffee at home, stop by one of several locations around the city and check out one of their classes.

Wine and Cheese
Wine is one of those food products that tends to intimidate many drinkers. Between all the different grape varieties, food pairings and vintages, it can be downright confusing to know what’s good and what’s merely a ripoff. Want to look like the hero the next time you order a bottle at dinner? Get in touch with the helpful team at NYC Wine Class, offering a range of courses exploring food and wine pairings, regional specific wine tastings and courses in wine and cheese.

If you’d like to skip the wine altogether and just fill up on some delicious cheese, head to cheese experts at Murray’s for one of their regular classes on everyone’s favorite dairy product.

4 ways to replicate your Puerto Rico vacation back at home

by Alison Brick on

What’s a traveler to do? You return from Puerto Rico, and have no choice but to store away the memories along with the suitcase, right? Not necessarily. The better solution: bring Puerto Rico back with you and incorporate her favorite qualities into your daily life.

1. Coffee: As a member of the tropical island club, Puerto Rico produces some fine coffee. And in Old San Juan, the best comes from Café Cola’o–or so I was told by a local, on a recent trip. So I went. So I drank. So I believed. The daily special (Adjuntas) was strong and smooth, without a hint of bitterness. Back at home, rather than hit up any ol’ Puerto Rican knock-off, you can order direct from the source. Check out the Café Cola’o Facebook page to order (Coffee costs $9-23, depending on the type and amount of coffee. Shipping costs $9.)

2. Flora: You hardly believed it the first time that you saw that Alice In Wonderland-like plant in the rain forest–the one whose leaves fold together when touched. But you don’t have to wait until your return to Puerto Rico to see the Mimosa pudica plant again. You can buy seeds online to grow your own “Tickle Me” plant.

3. Colors: Sunglow yellow, playful periwinkle, seaglass blue: these are the colors of your neighborhood…if you’re visiting Old San Juan. Back at home, leave your whitewashed walls behind and go directly to your nearest paint store. Bring those vibrant photos from your trip and compare them to paint chips for the truest colors.

4. Sounds: After a while, that tweeting sound from the treetops will become such a part of your Puerto Rico experience that you’ll only think about it again as you leave–when you notice its absence. It’s not a bird, it’s the coqui–a tiny tree frog. You might not have frogs back at home to respond to the calls (‘co’ serves as a warning to keep other frogs away, while ‘qui’ invites females to come closer). But playing the sounds after your trip will take you right back to the balmy evenings. Record a video and loop it on iTunes for ambient background noise, or leave a digital recorder running overnight on the balcony for an interruption-free replay.

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Gadling + BootsnAll – Picks of the Week (3.6.09)

by Jeremy Kressmann on

Last week we announced a new partnership between Gadling and the self-styled “independent travel” specialists over at BootsnAll. Every Friday we’ll be taking a look at some of our favorite BootsnAll content from the past week, along with a few choice words about why you should check it out. Sound good? Read on below for this week’s picks…

  • Navigate South America’s “Visa Obstacles” – the idea of a South American backpacking trip has always appealed to me. Between the mostly common language of Spanish and some amazing sights, the continent seems ripe for exploring. But as BootsnAll writer Eileen Smith reports, keeping track of each country’s constantly changing visa rules can be a real pain. Never fear, Eileen lays out some easy strategies to make that pan-South American trek a bit less costly and just a bit easier.
  • Europe Disappoints? – the Mona Lisa sucks. There, I said it. Yes, it was painted by one of history’s most famous men, Leonardo da Vinci, but beyond that, it’s just a painting of a woman surrounded by hundreds of tourists and a plexiglass box for protection. Roger Wade has a couple other complaints with disappointing tourist attractions in Europe, and for the most part I agree with him. Sorry Roger, I have to disagree with you on the interior of the Sagrada Familia. What do you think? Check out his list.
  • France’s Unofficial Dress Code – some of us like to blend in with the locals when we travel, going to great lengths to dress, act and behave much like the locals would. Others couldn’t give a damn what the locals think. Whatever your stance, BootsnAll’s France guide has the low-down on what to wear in France for that next trip Think you know how to blend in? Want some tips? Check it out.
  • Caffeine Junkies, Unite! – does your morning demand you start with a cup of coffee? It can be tricky to find sometimes when you’re on the road, especially in out of the way countries where coffee is not a common drink. Writer Eileen Smith comes through with yet another great piece on how to handle your caffeine addiction on the road. Check out her piece for some tips on how to cope and remember to stay away from that weak Nescafe stuff if you can help it.
  • Building Bridges – I’ve always found bridges to be one of the most underrated landmarks in any tourist destination. They serve such a pragmatic, obvious purpose that you sometimes forget the degree of craftsmanship, ingenuity and expertise that goes into their creation. Cristina Dima is on the same page – this week she takes a look at 12 of Europe’s most beautiful bridges. Some are ancient wonders, some are modern marvels. Have a look for yourself.

That’s all for now. Stay tuned next Friday for more Gadling and BootsnAll Picks of the Week!