We left Bahir Dar for Lalibela to visit the underground churches and tunnels. The churches are incredible – carved straight out of the rock with arches, pillars and angles constructed with almost perfect precision and symmetry. There are a total of 10 churches (or maybe 12) and apparently it took King Lalibella 23 years to complete all of them on his own although it is said that angels would come at night to help. All of the churches are connected by underground tunnels. We were able to go through one which represents hell and it took us about 10-15 minutes to navigate our way through it in the pitch black using the walls and ceiling to guide ourselves.
Aside from the churches, Lalibela is just a beautiful place to visit. It is a very small village with basically 1 road leading from the airport and then 1 small road leading through the village. It is over 2000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by huge mountains on all sides. I’m pretty sure that the town is also run by goats and donkeys. The streets and alleys are filled with them and they don’t seem to be owned by anyone. Taking our minibus from the airport to the hotel, we would have to wait behind them until they decided to move.
Being here feels like we’ve stepped back in time by a few hundred years; there are virtually no cars other than a couple of minibuses which shuttle people from the airport-hotel. Many of the villagers live in small huts with no electricity and people walk four hours on end up and down the mountains carrying wheat, sticks or other things on their heads.
Oh yes. Brings me back ... People walk all the time in the African countries I've visited; often it is the women; carrying immense loads of everything you can imagine on their heads. Water is a big item that is carried often for miles and miles, usually by the girls and women. This is why providing water for villages is so important, it means that the girls can actually go to school instead of spending their day carrying water.
ReplyDeleteGreat photographs, those churches are fascinating. Do you know why and when they were built underground? Persecution?
Hey guys,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog!! Feels a bit like I am traveling with you.. If you like the churches you saw here.. when you are in India try and see similar rock cut temples.. a few that I saw that I liked were: Hampi, Ajanta Caves, Elephanta Caves, and so many others... isn't amazing how long they must have taken to be built!
This latest update is fascinating - the majectic landscape, the churches and tunnels but most importantly the people! This part of Ethiopia/Africa was definitely worth visting; I can tell you are enjoying it a lot. I would love to visit it myself one day! Love, Elie
ReplyDeletehi Lungi...not sure if you remember me from Hutchison street. you rmom sent me this blog. what an adventure you are on!
ReplyDeletehappy to hear you are well and married!
keep posting and i will follow.
Ann