Ethiopia

ETHIOPIA

Border crossing in Ethiopia, note the different script on the sign.
A young man was carrying hay alongside the road.
We were captivated by a woman’s voice echoing through the tin shack as she sang her heart out on Ethiopian Idol. The scene was a testament to the power of music, transcending the humble surroundings.
Farmers working in the fields.
The parking lot of the “hotel” in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, is where we camped.
As the sun set over the parking lot in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Tom found solace in his book.

We had hamburgers at the Sheraton Hotel, where all the UN and NGO persons stayed.
The swimming pool at the Sheraton Hotel is surrounded by a high painted fence.
Women walking up the steep hill carrying firewood
Donkeys on the same road with bales of hay.
A waterfall in the distance on the Nile River.
Close-up of the same waterfall.

Young girl leading a blind girl
Young girl with a handle for God.
Fishermen in traditional papyrus reed boats. The boats must be dried once on shore.
Men we met who were herding cows through a town.
A painting in a church located in the Royal Enclosure in the town of Gondor.
Two of the eighty Ethiopian cherubs are painted on the ceiling of the Debre Berhan Selassie Church.

Meeting Mesfin our guide in Lalibela.
The church in Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was strategically built below the horizon to hide from potential enemies. Its unique architecture and rich history make it a must-visit for any traveller.
Looking down at the entrance to that church, which is accessed by stairs down.
A view of the top of the church.
Witnessing priests singing and chanting in one of the 13 churches in Lalibela.
Tom and Mesfin are resting after a busy day.