It Really is a Small World!

It really is a small world

            From Loveland to Mezezo and beyond, my Mom and Dad came to visit Ethiopia from April 29-May 9, 2016, and it was an incredible 11 days that we spent together.  What a treat it was to get to share Ethiopian culture and beauty with my parents, the two people who have been my rocks the past 24 years and who have raised me to be the person I am, and who have instilled in me the values that made me want to do Peace Corps in the first place. Plus, they are two of the people who have continually supported me throughout the ups and downs of this adventure (while there are inevitable downs in any adventure we embark on, I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything.  The ups definitely are winning)!

          Here is a brief history of Lalibela to paint a picture for you and give you some perspective.  Strong believers in the history say that the 11 churches were built in 23 years (carved from a massive stone/stone mountain), which was possible since people worked nonstop and even to the death, and then an old worker was replaced by a celestial one.  However on the other side of the spectrum, the churches are so diverse in style that some say they were built over a period of over 100 years.   What makes some of the 11 churches unique is that they are completely free standing from the rock, which is similar to some structures in Jordan and Egypt.  It is also said that these churches were build to represent a “New Jerusalem,” and one reason this is said to be true is so that people wouldn’t have to journey so far to go to Jerusalem.

One of the 11 churches, and it is called "st. George" church, it is one of the most well-known!

One of the 11 rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. It is covered by a new structure built by UNESCO several years ago, in order to preserve it.

            During the last few days of our trip, we travelled to Lalibela, which is in the Amhara region, in the Northern part of Ethiopia.  Lalibela is a place where there are historic rock churches that were created in the 11^th century, when King Lalibela was ruling.   Lalibela is a main tourist attraction in Ethiopia and a UNESCO heritage site.  On our flight to Lalibela, we met a man named Hans, who come to find out, went to high school in Loveland, Colorado! We spent two days touring Lalibela with him, and it was a great reminder of how small the world really is!!

The amazingly beautiful lodge we stayed at for two days! Look at that view!

My mom and Dad, Kabir, and our new friend Hans at our beautiful lodge!

           

At one of the churches, there is a part that was said to represent going from Hell to Heaven.  This involved being hunched over and making your way through a 50-meter rock tunnel that was completely PITCH BLACK. You can’t see a thing, and so with one hand on the “roof” and one hand on the wall, you slowly make your way, trying not to let claustrophobia overcome you!  When you emerge into the light 50 meters later, it represent Heaven, and boy was it a relief to reach this holy and bright place!

            

Making our way to the St. George Church (pictured above), by navigating this narrow "alley way!"

Local artwork being painted onto hide, and the pictures tell biblical stories.

Biblical stories portrayed in painting onto animal hide!

Striking a pose in one of the 11 rock-hewn churches!

            Visiting Lalibela was really powerful.  There is so much history and various beliefs and stories behind this world wonder and visiting it allows you to see it with your own eyes and listen to all the sides of the stories and draw your own conclusions!  In case you won’t get the chance to visit Lalibela, hopefully this blog provided some insight and information and now you can ponder; how were these 11 churches really built and carved from a massive stone? Were they carved and made by humans; by angels; by both? How many years did it take?