Lalibela Day 4

The next day, we wandered the town some more, revisited St. George Church and bought some souvenirs. By now, the people were used to us and no-one asked for any money. Instead, everyone was very friendly and asked us how we enjoyed the churches. It is wonderful to experience the pride Ethiopians have in their country.

A funeral procession

This guy reminded us of a Masai warrior

St. George's again

A interesting roof

Lalibela Day 3

We hired a driver and car to go to a monastery, Yemrehanna Kristos, about 45 kms away. We had the usual spectacular views and the usual mud and pothole filled roads so  driving 45 kms took about 90 minutes. We hiked up to the church which was entirely under a huge rock overhang.

The church looks very different than the others we have seen. The architecture is late Axumite. It is built with alternating layers of wood and granite and faced with white gypsum. There are cruciform carved windows, an etched wood panel room, a ceiling with inlaid hexagons and a large dome over the sanctuary. This church was built by a predecessor of King Lalibela, ascending to the throne in 1087. The wood was allegedly imported from Egypt and the gypsum from Jerusaem.

Behind the church building is a fenced in area containing bones of 10,740 pilgrims who allegedly walked from Egypt, Syria and Jerusalem to die here.

That night we had dinner at Ben Abeba, a very odd looking modernistic structure atop a hill overlooking the valley.  The views were wonderful and after it got cold and dark, we were escorted downstairs to sit in front of a fire.

Views on the way

The church is behind the new fence. Notice the overhanging rock

The church

The palace

The pilgrims' bones

The king's tomb

The windows of the church

the inside of the church

Chimes and incense burners

The overhanging rock with holy water dripping down

A village on the way back

A large bug

The modern restaurant

Views from the restaurant

Our waiters by the fire