More happenings in Ethiopia! One incident not so good :-(

1).  The Ethiopian Orthodox churches are very interesting and different from any other Christian or Catholic churches I've ever visited.  Artwork within the churches and monasteries go back to the 12th and 13th centuries, and it reminds me of Byzantine art.   Because of the illiteracy rate, stories from the Old and New Testament are painted in colorful, striking scenes along the inner walls of the church, some of which are a bit graphic and violent. The musical instruments, prayer sticks, and Ge'ez language used in Mass & religious ceremonies all date back to the 12th-13th C.  It's like stepping back in time!  I was asked by one of the priests (translated by a guide) at Entos-Eyesu Monastery whether I'd join them as a nun...I laughed and said I'm not yet ready to lead such a monastic life, though the surrounds were invitingly peaceful!

2).  Ethiopian Christians and Muslims are so much more tolerant of each other compared to Morocco.   Christians in a town will help fund the building of a mosque if needed and vice versa.  Though marriage ceremonies are not allowed for couples of different faiths, they are allowed to live together and raise families.  It is also not uncommon for Muslim and Christian neighbors to celebrate their respective religious holidays together.  If only other regions could emulate this behavior...

3). I am so happy I visited Ethiopia for even just the food alone!!!  I embarrassingly confess that I tried Ethiopian food over 8 years ago in a California restaurant and deemed it bland and too onion- & tomato-dominated, so I never gave it a second chance until arriving here(!).  It is so wonderfully spicy and full of flavor, and vegetarian food is easily available (known as "fasting food").  Wednesdays & Fridays are regular fasting days for religious reasons.  I thought I would have tired of injera (spongy flat bread made from the grain tef) by now, but it is far preferable to the other Western options proffered on tourist menus thus far.  Because of the brief Italian occupation in the late 1930s, spaghetti and macaroni are commonly offered in restaurants, and an unusual and an unusually messy meal last night was injera topped with chopped spaghetti in tomato sauce...my digit-utensils need a lot more practice!

4). Baboons!!!  Hanging out on the side of the road!  It's so funny to see and hear these critters in the open--drivers and tour guides appear a bit bored while all the faranji (foreigners) start twittering and snapping WAAAAAY too many photos.  There were 3 separate groups we came across, and I could have spent hours (HOURS) watching and listening to them.  They meticulously groom each other using their long, thin fingers (so human-like!  Just a bit hairier, but some people are close competition ;-) ), and their consistent plucking and chewing of grass and plant material creates a muted symphony of eating.

5).  Big bummer:  my point & shoot camera was swiped yesterday when I carelessly and trustingly left it (for 2-3 minutes max.) on a chair in reception and turned to discuss room details for a hotel in Axum.  Hence my favorite baboon fotos, Simien Mountain and Gondar castle pics are gone...*sigh*.  Things could have been much worse, and I will take this as a message from the Ethiopian Orthodox God:  "Don't be so stupid!".  My contribution to the Ethiopian economy may involve the unforeseen purchase of a compact camera, I guess...

Anyway, off to the city of Mekele tomorrow!