Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2013
I arrived in Addis Ababa a day early in hopes that my body could adjust to the altitude before our tour began. I arranged for a tour of the city and as a result have a few photos that come under the heading of “drive-bys”…a category my photography teacher detested.
Usually I like to get out and roam around on my own, but my driver was reluctant to let me out of the car. The Mercato, as the market in Addis Ababa is called, is the largest market in Africa and is a magnet for thieves and pick-pockets as well as tourists. I had to content myself with leaning out of the window and shooting as best I could.
This scene was shot in the jewelry section of the market. Each shop had a little kiosk like this one that they could roll in and out of the shop. I like the longing pose and gaze of this young Muslim woman. Perhaps she will soon be wed and will soon be the proud possessor of an armload of gold bracelets given as part of the bride-price.