Last(ing) Impression

Bole International Airport is the first impression and the last
impression most visitors to Ethiopia have. What a shame then that you
are put through an exhausting regimen of security checks, and what an
irony that it reminds me of the security theater in America. After going
through security to get into the airport, complete with taking off belt,
shoes, emptying pockets, etcetera, we again had to go through security
to get to our gate. In between, we had to fight to get to the check-in
counter to send off our luggage (hopefully tagged properly this time),
and then wait in a long queue with line-jumpers to be processed by a
"reverse immigration" officer. We were told we would not be allowed to
take any more than $1000 USD and $200 Ethiopian Birr (about $20) out of
the country, but through all the security checks, it all just seemed to
be for show. After an hour or so, we reached our gate and lined up for
about the fifth time to board the airplane. The flight was half empty
giving us plenty of room to stretch out in the comfy Emirates 777 jet.
What a shame that this is anyone's last(ing) impression of Ethiopia. We
had a great time during our month in Addis and I look forward to coming
back in a couple months, but the fine experiences we have to boast of
from our visit are somewhat diluted from the final stretch that is their
airport.