Our last day in Ethiopia involved visiting the two oldest Orthodox Churches in the country, both of which our guide said were still standing due to their inaccessibility. One was on top of a mountain, the other tucked onto a ledge of a cliff.
Heading to them we passed beautiful rock homes.
Climbing to the church.
The entrance to the church yard.
Inside the church yard these men were digging a grave for a woman in the community who had just died. She was 106. The community was mourning.
The priest opened the church door which was an intricate traditional operation in and of itself.
He lit a torch for our guide so he could tell the stories about all the carvings on the walls and ceiling.
Coming down we saw the community gathering for the crying vigil for the woman who passed away. We were told it was a happy event as she had reached a great age.
The other church we visited was tucked up on a ledge and only accessible by ladders.
which I was assured were absolutely safe.
Bones and earthen ware jugs from ancient pilgrims.
The priest’s daughter opened the church as her father was at the funeral.
The amazing ancient pictures on the inside of the church telling the story of Christ.
Coming down, really.
The cactus in the area were just about to bloom.
So new.
Our last evening in Addis, we went out to a traditional Ethiopian restaurant with live entertainment. Our driver said most days you need to line up to get a seat but because today was a fasting day it was quite quiet.
Our last Ethiopian coffee ceremony complete with popcorn and incense.
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