Got lucky (truly amazing how many times I say that!) & got a free 1st class upgrade on my flight here. Not sure how... but ended up as the cabin entertainment... everyone asking questions about my trip. And at the end, 5 different people asked to take me out or show me around.

(Oh, & the luck continued... exiting the airport, ran into a guy met in Yemen & got a ride & dinner invite from him.)

Well the last few nights, went out with some of these wealthy Ethiopians from the plane. Friday, dinner & drinks at the Sheraton... was warned it's "the hottest place in town"... but oh my god, wasn't prepared for just how hip & elegant a scene! The far majority of women looked like they'd just walked off the cover of Vogue & most of the men where just as striking! And Saturday went to a club that would rival any in LA. Finally last night went to something more local... a bar with few people that looked like me & fantastic jazz band!

After 2 months in Yemen where I only saw a few women, all of them being hidden under big black burka/tents... Addis is a wonderful system shock! Not just faces but hair, arms, legs & even cleavage... none of which I saw in the past 5 months in any of the Muslim countries. Which also means time for me to dig out my more revealing clothes!

Oh... & alcohol... how great to drink again! Not just beer... but great South African wine! Alcohol was totally illegal in Yemen. (Did somehow manage to drink twice!) And before Yemen... in Egypt, Jordan & even Malaysia alcohol was had to find & expensive. But on the flight, where drinks are free, immediately began making up for lost time... maybe that's why the other passengers were so entertained!