The climb takes around forty-five minutes and it is literally a climb using your hands and feet for the last part of the journey. Holes in the vertical rock surface are what you use to keep yourself from falling off and to get to the top. As The “Lonely Planet” guidebook says, if you’re scared of heights, “Don’t look down!” Having a panic attack or “freezing” here would not be a good idea.
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Heat, huge crowds, continuous pushing and shoving, religious chants accompanied by war cries and the never ending tooting noise produced by vuvuzela-like instruments (those annoying things you heard at matches during the last world cup). This is Timkat (celebration of the Ephiphany) in Gondar. If you don’t like any of the mentioned, this isn’t the place for you. I didn’t know any better, so I went.
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Lalibela is Ethiopia’s answer to Jerusalem. In fact, it is often referred to as “The New Jerusalem” and it even has its’ own “Golgotha.” The legendary town is known for its’ incredible rock hewn churches. It is a place of elaborately dressed deacons and priests and a center for thousands of pilgrims who come during special occasions to recharge their “spiritual batteries.” Lalibela was one of the main reasons that I wanted to come to Ethiopia so badly. Thankfully, I wasn’t disappointed. Continue reading
My dream has finally come true. I’m in Africa! Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to be exact. Well, ok, the Addis Ababa part of it is far from a dream. To me the city seems like one big tragedy of humanity – a strange fuse of colonial and socialist architecture as well as tin-shacks that make up most of the small shops and all the slum dwellings. The city is overwhelming in many different ways – beggars, street hustlers, noise, pollution – a little of everything. Nevertheless, this is Africa! I have wanted to come here since I was a child and now I’m here at last.
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I can finally announce my latest e-book. Actually, I almost missed the release, due to my temperamental internet connection here in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The e-book is called “Rabari – Ecounters with the nomadic tribe” and it’s available HERE or by clicking the image at the top of the post. Continue reading
