A Memorable Hosting Experience in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

[Michael9255]

Hello fellow hosts!

I wanted to share a heartwarming experience I had as an Airbnb host in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which truly highlighted the joys of hosting and the unique cultural exchanges we can offer.

I started hosting in Addis Ababa about 4 years ago. The city, known for its rich history and vibrant culture, seemed like the perfect backdrop for a warm and welcoming guest experience. My listing is a cozy, traditional home located in the heart of the city, complete with a private garden.

One of my most memorable experiences was hosting different international volunteers who were in Addis Ababa to work on a community project. From the moment they arrived, I felt a connection with them. They were excited to learn about Ethiopian culture and very respectful of local customs.

I greeted them with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony—a cherished ritual in our culture. Watching their eyes light up as they experienced the rich aroma and unique preparation of the coffee was incredibly rewarding. I also provided them with a local guide to help them explore the city and understand the various landmarks and traditions.

The interaction didn’t stop at coffee. I invited each of them Ethiopian cooking in my kitchen, where they learned how to make injera (the famous sourdough flatbread) and doro wat (spicy chicken stew). The cooking session turned into a lively cultural exchange, with guests sharing their own recipes and stories from their travels.

The guests left glowing reviews, highlighting not just the comfort of the home but also the memorable experiences we shared. They appreciated the personalized touches and the effort I put into making their stay special.

The feedback and the friendships that blossomed from this experience were incredibly fulfilling. It reinforced my belief that hosting is not just about providing a place to stay but about creating memorable experiences and fostering cultural understanding.

Hosting in Addis Ababa has been a deeply enriching experience, and I encourage all hosts to embrace the unique opportunities that come with welcoming guests from around the world.

Happy hosting!

Michael A.

[Elisa]

Hi @Michael9255 😊

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful experience! 

Hosting in Addis Ababa sounds like an incredible journey, and it’s wonderful to hear how you’ve embraced the rich cultural of the city in your hosting. 😍

I appreciate how you’ve used your home and your cultural knowledge to make a meaningful impact on your guests.

I am curious, what’s been the most surprising reaction from your guests?

Warm regards!

[Michael9255]

Thank you for your kind words! 😊

One of the most surprising reactions I’ve had from guests was during that Ethiopian coffee ceremony I mentioned. While many guests were excited to try the coffee, I was truly touched by how deeply some of them connected with the ceremony itself.

A guest from South Korea expressed that the ceremony felt almost meditative and found a new appreciation for the mindfulness involved in the process. 

It’s moments like these that remind me of the power of cultural exchange and how a simple gesture can leave a lasting impression.

Warm regards!

[Elisa]

Hi @Michael9255 

It is such a charming moment! 😊

It would be wonderful to see if other Hosts share cultural moments with their guests. Perhaps you could exchange tips and ideas with them.

Do you welcome your guests with a special cultural ritual at your place? 😍

@Enoch10, @Joan2709, @Robin4, @Laurelle3 and @Lorina14 

I look forward to reading your comments!

Warm regards 🌻,

[Laurelle3]

@Elisa your question made me think as a 4th generation Australian what do we do give a cultural experience.

We actually offer our guests if staying in our cottage more than 3 nights we ask them if they would like to join us for a predinner . We offer them nibbles, cheese, wine or my husband's home made beer who has been making it for about 45 years. 

If our guests are staying for more than 4 nights, we ask them would they like to join us for a Barbeque. With these interactions we get to know our Guests a little bit more and try to make it a more friendly stay..

[Elisa]

Hi @Laurelle3  😊

Thank you for sharing this with the community!

It’s lovely that you're sharing homemade beer and authentic experiences.

I'm curious, how do you decide which aspects of your lifestyle or culture to share with your guests?

Warm regards🌻

[Lorina14]

Hi @Elisa!

I think you meant to flag @Laurelle3 for your question about homemade Australian beer.

I’ve left wine for some guests for special occasions in the past but have to be careful as once I left some wine that another guest left behind in the suite and the next guests were under 21 but enjoyed the wine!

I don’t think Airbnb has a way to show the age of the booker as that could potentially get hosts in trouble if we provide wine and the booker is under 21. Perhaps it something you can mention to the relevant team? I don’t want it to be a means to discourage against people under 21 but I just don’t want to leave alcohol to people who are not of age accidentally. 

[Elisa]

Hi @Lorina14 

thank you for flagging this to me. 😊

I understand your situation, and I think the best thing would be to  👉 share your feedback 👈here.

Warm regards🌻

[Laurelle3]

@Lorina14 I  dont leave any alcohol for our guests on arrival as I often think what choice or brand do you leave. My other issue is maybe they are abstainers and could have an issue with alcohol.

Another issue I always question is if I leave them alcohol and they have an accident , the guests could say that the possible cause was the alcohol I left and it could lead to an insurance issue which I don't want to be part of. If the guests accept a pre dinner drink and accept we also have juice, soft drink and water so they can have a choice..

[Laurelle3]

@Elisa 

As I mentioned earlier, my ancestors were immigrants from the UK, and on my father's side, they were convicts. One of them, **, arrived on the ship Scarborough in 1788 as part of the First Fleet to Sydney. After serving 11 years, Samuel was pardoned and granted 30 acres of land.

Australia is a nation built by immigrants from 152 different countries, so you can experience a wide range of cuisines that reflect diverse cultural backgrounds.

For me, a typical dish to serve guests would be a barbecue, using whatever I have on hand that day. I often ask if there are any dietary restrictions and then tailor the menu, perhaps offering fish, meat or vegetable options along with a salad. Since we don’t follow a specific diet, the salad and sides depend on what's available.

**[Name hidden due to privacy concerns - Community Center Guidelines]

[Elisa]

Hi @Laurelle3 

the story you shared is so touching. 😍

Unfortunately, I had to remove the name for security reasons, as per our Community Center Guidelines.

Have you had any guests who refused your kind invitation for dinner? Why?

Warm regards🌻

[Laurelle3]

@Elisa I have to say only one as they had booked into a restaurant. We make our guests welcome and with this get together the barriers are broken and we learn a little about each others lifestyles interests and likes. A pleasant time spent together.

[Elisa]

Hi @Laurelle3 😊

I appreciate this kind of gesture, and I agree with you! 😍

Are you still in contact with some of them?

Warm regards 🌻

[Lorina14]

@Michael9255 

What a special experience that you provided your guests! I had a friend from Gambia who shared his peanut butter chicken stew that was quite delightful and made me think of different ways to thicken sauces than just our traditional flour, cornstarch, or potatoes. The stew didn’t really taste of peanut butter but it was definitely creamy and savory.

I’ve recently enjoyed lovely guests from Lebanon, China, Israel, Korea, UK, and from all around the US and we’ve mostly shared stories, gave tips/insights and tours of our home and gardens. I’ve shared bulbs with some guests of our firecracker plants and flowers and sometimes fruit from our garden for others. We haven’t had a chance to do a cooking exchange or other special cultural event as most of the times guests are busy with visiting family, friends or the area. I do welcome the opportunity to connect in those meaningful ways!

[Quincy]

@Michael9255 

Wow, that sounds incredible! I’m really curious about what a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony involves. Could you share more details or maybe some photos?

You might be interested in offering cooking classes or hosting the coffee ceremony as an Airbnb Experience. It’s a great opportunity to showcase your unique culture, especially now that Airbnb Experiences is back up and running! There's more information here about the submission process.