Ethiopia is one of the fastest growing non-oil economies in Africa, but while a growing middle class aspire to symbols of modernity - such as cupcakes - for most, this new Africa is not a reflection of real life.

Red Velvet. Caribbean Breeze. Vanilla Fever. Brunette. The choice was overwhelming.

I was standing at the counter of a cafe in Addis Ababa and I was looking at cupcakes. Piled high with icing in unnatural shades of turquoise, lime green and a devastating pink.

The Cupcake Delights Bakery, as it is called, was full.

Smartly dressed Ethiopians sipped tea and nibbled on the colourful cakes.

An Indian woman swept in and placed a large order. Chinese men in business suits asked the waitress to bring them fresh fruit cocktails.

Across the road, a place named The Beer Garden was also popular with the Chinese.

Chinese workers crowded around the tables, their faces getting redder, their voices noisier, as their bellies filled with alcohol.

Every time I go to Addis Ababa, more tall, sparkling buildings take me by surprise and confuse my bearings.

This time, in amongst the concrete shells of impressive new constructions, I saw an advert for "skyscraper window cleaners".

Modernity has brought with it some interesting new job opportunities.

Addis Ababa is simultaneously highly globalised and seemingly stuck in a highly traditional, highly Ethiopian way of life and doing politics.

The city is currently in deep mourning for Ethiopia's longstanding leader, Meles Zenawi, who died in August.

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