Melese Gizaw, a former soldier from the Derg regime, finds himself drawn to cafes since leaving military service. He enjoys listening to music of Mohamoud Ahmed, a sound that accompanies his reflections on the past and present.

Nowadays, he frequents a cafe, a popular spot for couples and others. The cafe has become a meeting point for him and his children, who come from various parts of the city, Piassa, Torhailoch, and Hayahulet, three times a week. This tradition revolves around the city’s new corridor developments.

"We'll go straight from Mexico to Sar Bet, chatting along the way, and then, when they wish, we'll head to their house or mine," Melese explains. He admires the corridor developments, seeing them as places of beauty and connection, though he acknowledges they have displaced people and caused homelessness.

The evening at the cafe near the Mexico roundabout is vibrant, with lively music appealing to both the young and old. When the cafe gets crowded, clients often sit in pairs, while the music of Neway Debebe, particularly "Yefikir Gedam," fills the air as people wait for their food. This music is so popular that it draws people from outside the cafe, many of whom take pictures and enjoy the atmosphere.

The corridor development at Mexico has transformed the former site of a Total fuel station into a space with a water fountain and multi-coloured lights. This area, now a popular spot for photographers, is where cameramen like Shambel Terefe capture the energy from dusk to evening.

Shambel, using a Canon camera, charges 30 Br per photo and knows where and when to take the best shots. He explains, "You can distinguish a person by looking at his/her face whether he/she wants a picture."

"Because of the corridor, you will find interesting and good photo angles in the evening." Even with its fences, the area attracts people eager to take pictures near the waterfall and the dim lights as night falls.

The redeveloped space, once filled with petrol queues, has become a popular place to relax and enjoy fresh air. Light meals, like sandwiches, chips, macchiatos, and juices, are available. The setting is further accompanied by the shining headquarters of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE). Surrounding buildings have also decorated their facades with soft lights.

It seems like one's gain is another's loss. The Piassa area, once known for its bustling crowds, has become almost unrecognisably quieter at night. The Adwa Victory Memorial Museum lights add a new dimension to the scene, welcoming people as they walk up Churchill Street from Tewodros roundabout. Public transport controllers manage the flow of traffic, though many people continue to queue for taxis. The corridor developments have provided improved taxi terminals.

One of the queues is for taxis travelling between Piassa and Mexico, two of the city's most connected areas.

The area between Mexico and Sar Bet also has cafes with wooden chairs, where people can be seen walking and relaxing. Children selling nuts and corn move through these areas, offering their goods.

Semagn Alemu, a student who sells qolo (roasted barely) and other snacks, has seen his life improve with the corridor development, as more people are now around to buy his goods, helping him pay for school expenses.