I used to work in conflict zones and the organisation I worked for would encourage us to leave every three months for a week or 2 to relax and decompress. They would even give us some pocket money!

I chose Ethiopia for my first trip. It was my first experience of Africa and I was blown away by the diversity of landscapes, people and cultures within one country.

More info: Instagram

Mersi Tribeswoman In The Omo Valley

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 1

Birds In The Nechisar National Park, Arba Minch

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 2

The Blue Nile falls

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 3

Without The Lip Plate The Lower Lip Just Hangs Out

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 4

Boys Pose In Tissiat

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 5

Lake Tana, home of Hippos

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 6

Villagers In Tissiat On The Banks Of The Blue Nile

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 7

Orthodox Priest In A Village On An Island Lake Tana

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 8

Scarification on their chests in different patterns

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 9

Market Day In Lalibela

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 10

Lalibela Saturday market attracts thousands of people, many of whom walk many miles to come and trade in the scorching heat

Labourer Working On Road Construction Outside Bahir Dar

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 11

Outside Bahir Dar

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 12

Saturday Market In Lalibela

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 13

Mersi Boy

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 14

Brother And Sister In The Nechisar National Park, Arba Minch

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 15

Always Smiling

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 16

Lake Tana

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 17

I love their use of recycled objects for their jewellery

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 18

The Blue Nile

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 19 I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 20

Apart from special occasions, I think they only put in these lip plates for the tourists

Hamar Tribeswoman With A Watch Strap Necklace

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 21

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Unlock an Enhanced Experience with Bored Panda Premium

Go ad-free, access unlimited content, and enjoy our sleek dark mode. Your favorite stories, uninterrupted.

I Got Paid To Travel For 2 Weeks Every Three Months, So I Went To Ethiopia - 22

No fees, cancel anytime

Woman Charged After Allegedly Leaving Baby Girl In Portable Toilet Tank - 23 Olympian Makes Stunning Admission After Judge's Conspicuous Scores Ignite Cheating Accusations - 24

Olympian Makes Stunning Admission After Judge’s Conspicuous Scores Ignite Cheating Accusations

The Best 60 Images Of The Year By Non-Professional Photographers From Around The World - 25

The Best 60 Images Of The Year By Non-Professional Photographers From Around The World