Lalibela

They say it's the 8th world wonder. A small town in the middle of the Ethiopian highlands. One's called Roha and the capital of the Zagwe Dynasty wich ruled over Ethiopia from the 10th century to the mid- 13th century. It was King Lalibela who build the 13 rock-hewn churches. Like more episodes in the history is this country, there are a lot of legends about it. One is that his older brother poisoned him and during a three days sleep he was brought to heaven, where he was shown a city of rock-hewn churches which he replicated. Others say that he went into exile to Jerusalem and got a vision to create a new Jerusalem. And so it is. A small gorge is called The River Jordan and there is the tomb of Abraham.

In one of the churches is a pillar covered with cotton.A monck had a dream in which he saw Christ kissing it. According to the moncks, past, present and future is carved into it. The churches are connected to each other by small passages and tunnels. During my stay was the celibration of St Michael, and in Bet Michael the clergy sang for 24 hours in his honour. They even invited us to join. Lalibela is a friendly town at a altitude of 2700m.

The youth occasionaly asking you for a ballpoint and trying to practice their English above all always willing to play a game of soccer.