Although it is only about an hour's flight from Addis it was easy to tell the difference from Addis already on arrival. Of course it is much smaller and hence quiter and the air is cleaner, but it is also much more arid. It was also much less developed and much poorer than I expected as Lalibela is one of the most well known tourist sites and reasons tourists come to Ethiopia. The area and organisation around the churches is fairly well developed but the infrastructure of the town is practically non-existant.
The hotel where we stayed was however very new, modern and nice. The most striking thing was of course the view. Absolutely fantastic!!
The curches was of course very interesting and unique. Even if I am not at all religious I can imagine and appreciate the spirituality of the place. At least I might have if it wasn't because my friend had explained to us how all the carpets on the floors of the churces were full of fleas; and hadn't it been for all the big groups of Israeli, French and American tourists; and if the priests hadn't looked so bored.... But ignoring these facts and focusing on the believers coming to pray or just to sit in the shadow and read you could sense the spirituality.
No comments:
Post a Comment