Maya and I picked Sara up from the airport the night before, and this morning we took a short three hop flight to the town of Lalibela. Here we are at breakfast, fueling up for a grueling day of visiting the churches.
Last comment 05/20/14.
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Here is our guide for the next two days, Thomas. He was kind, well spoken, and was constantly telling me "Please John, watch your head." Despite his best efforts, I still managed to get a few good cracks in. Legend has it that the builder of these churches, King Lalibela, was 7 feet tall. I have a question. If he was so tall, then why did he make the doorways so short??
Last comment 12/16/16.
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The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is one of the oldest branches of Christianity, and Lalibela is their holiest site. Here, a priest poses for us within one of their churches.
Last comment 04/19/22.
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We happened to come to Lalibela during one of their religous festivals so the streets were filled with pilgrims from all around the country.
Last comment 04/19/22.
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Three months a year this hole cut into the rock is filled with water from the rains. Legend has it that a woman who is unable to conceive will be cured of this problem if she jumps from the ledge up above down into the water. Several women are killed every year by jumping far enough out and crashing into the rock.
Last comment 07/16/22.
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The town of Lalibela is built around 13 churches that were carved straight down through solid rock. Ground level is up above on the top of the far ledge, these passageways and churches were carved out by hand.
Last comment 02/12/12.
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An elderly weaver with his loom and his apprentice.
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Sara and Maya follow Thomas to another church. Since these churches were carved straight down into solid rock, water drainage is very important and their system still functions very well today.
Last comment 04/19/22.
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Sara made another friend! We saw many rural children with this hairstyle. We were told that it was in case God wanted to snatch the child into heaven, he would have something to hold onto. :-)
Last comment 07/16/22.
Viewed: 986 times.
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