The scars of European invasion and exploitation run deep in Africa. Centuries of fighting, pillaging, and colonization have taken their toll on the continent and most cultures are now smudged facsimiles of their original selves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then there\u2019s Ethiopia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ethiopia is the only African country that hasn’t been colonized or overpowered by a European nation (the closest anyone got was a brief Italian occupation during World War II). Here you\u2019ll see a vibrant, proud, and perfectly preserved African culture, largely untouched by outside influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everything about Ethiopia is unique, making it the perfect destination for adventurous travelers on the hunt for something different. But while you\u2019ll be experiencing sights, sounds, and tastes that you won\u2019t find anywhere else, you\u2019ll also be dealing with some peculiar ways of doing things. Traveling through Ethiopia isn\u2019t like traveling through Europe or the Americas, or even through the rest of Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s take a look at five things that the guidebooks won\u2019t tell you: the ins and outs of Ethiopia that every visitor should know before stepping foot in this stunning country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n