Exploring Ethiopia's Highlands and It's hidden Mountain Monasteries скачать в хорошем качестве

Exploring Ethiopia's Highlands and It's hidden Mountain Monasteries

While most people come to Lalibela, Ethiopia, for it's 11 Rock-Hewn Churches, after a total of three visits to the churches we still had time to spare and were eager to explore Lalibela's surroundings. Craving for some physical activity the surrounding mountains were a welcome playground. Our good host Tedy offered us help by recommending a guide who would take us up to the Asheton Maryam Monastery. Sitting at almost 4000 meters, this is one of Ethiopia's highest sitting churches. However, this was just an arbitrary goal for us, as all we wanted was a good hard hike up a mountain :). We were not disappointed. Starting early in the morning, even before the sun was around the Mountains, we head towards the outer skirts of Lalibela to begin our ascend the mountain. On our way, people were coming down the mountain and were carrying goods, it was Saturday and the market would open soon. They were bringing Teff, Beans and other goods on Donkeys and Mules. Some were carrying Eucalyptus trunks which are used in Ethiopia for a lot of different things: Making Fire to prepare food, Building Homes, etc. People were greeting us with a friendly 'Selam' until we left the main road and headed into the less accessible territory. It was very cold since the sun rays were still hidden behind the mountains and hills but the beautiful scenery helped us to keep forward until, finally, we reached a plateau. Eucalyptus Woods and grain fields were scattered on the landscape and small houses started to appear. Ethiopia's rural population is scattered all around the country. Families live close to their lands so they can take care of their plants and stock. After the plateau, the Monastery was already in sight. Only about 700 meters of a cliff pathway was in front of us. Since it was Saturday, pilgrims from villages around Lalibela were coming to the Monastery too. We crossed the cliff and wanted to enter the Monastery, but we forgot to bring the entrance fee money ...