En route to the Asheten Mariam Rock Hewn Monastery this morning, I was delightfully accosted by two sisters who demanded that I wait for them to make their way up the mountain to meet face-to-face, politely shake their hands, and take their photos because they’re just too cute. I obliged.

Thereafter I made my way to the monastery where I rested and reflected on how the heck I would get down. Would I call a taxi, tuk-tuk, ride a donkey, or walk?

En route back to Lalibela’s city center I was invited into a home to have coffee with a local family. It was delicious and refreshing. I remember Devin mention that being welcomed into one’s home should be a goal for travelers. I guess I did well in Lalibela.

 

I ran into my favorite couple in Ethiopia, Renelle and Dane! We visited the churches of Lalibela together and drank honey wine at Torpido Tej in the evening.

I met a local celebrity. He’s a native Lalibelan and was featured on the cover of Ethiopian Airlines magazine.

 

With the help of Dane and Renelle we invested in the future of Ethiopia by pooling our funds to pay for a English-Amharic dictionary for some local teens. Those local teens happen to be Abie’s students.

Lalibela means honey eater, but it might as well mean love. That is because I only felt that while there. Awww.

Next stop, Axum.