On The Write Path

Ethiopia: Lelibela [188]

Eating with my right hand is going to be difficult (I'm left-handed) and I'd prefer my food to be served on my own plate. Using injera (which I've had before) will be interesting (worthy of a poem perhaps).

From a Baha'i religious point-of-view there are issues as well. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Author: Bahá’u’lláh) states: "73. TAKE HEED LEST, WHEN PARTAKING OF FOOD, YE PLUNGE YOUR HANDS INTO THE CONTENTS OF BOWLS AND PLATTERS. #46"

"This prohibition was defined by Shoghi Effendi as “plunging one’s hand in food”. In many parts of the world it has been customary to eat with the hands from a communal bowl."

Ethiopian food is known worldwide and has many aficionados. I'd have to make a list of those I really want to try and those I'd rather avoid (ketfo ... not amused by raw or rare meat). I don't do well with picante (hot-spicy) foods so I'd have to try these three to find out what I can tolerate (from Wiki):

Berbere, a combination of powdered chili pepper and other spices (somewhat analogous to Southwestern American chili powder), is an important ingredient used in many dishes. Also essential is niter kibbeh, a clarified butter infused with ginger, garlic, and several spices.

Mitmita (Amharic: ሚጥሚጣ, IPA: [mitʼmitʼa]) is a powdered seasoning mix used in Ethiopian cuisine. It is orange-red in color and contains ground birdseye chili peppers (piri piri), cardamom seed, cloves and salt. It occasionally has other spices including cinnamon, cumin and ginger.

I would definitely visit Lelibela. Steph at https://www.bigworldsmallpockets.com/lalibela-ethiopia/ suggests dry season October-March, on a weekend for Saturday market and Sunday mass, and getting a guide to explain it all. She was there 3 days. For me Friday (if I arrive early), Saturday, Sunday. So 3 or 4 nights because it's cheaper than Addis Ababa and I need to go slow to not wear myself out. Temps? I expect 27/10.

Wonder whether I can partake of a coffee coffee ceremony. It looks interesting. Since floral coffees like Harar are my favorites (I drink them here whenever I can) I think I just might enjoy this. Also if anything like tea in Turkey it's a time to sit and chat.

I'd also want to visit Harar or the Omo Valley in the south. Addis Ababa may seem expensive after Cairo. A bed may cost $15 night. Lalibela though has nice hostels at $10/night.

I would have to take hundreds of photos. I may need a new camera.

For eight centuries
rock solid
faith
white robed,
Lelibela
gathers
for morning mass
to sing its song.

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"Blogging Circle of Friends "  Let's talk about Ethopian cuisine. There's a few things listed, what would you recommend for us to try and why? What did you think about the coffee section? What's your favorite hot beverage coffee, tea or hot chocolate?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_cuisine

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_production_in_Ethiopia#:~:text=%22Ethiopia%...

"30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS"  Our trip has been customized to meet our needs. We will not be having the down time listed in the beginning.

https://www.safaribookings.com/day/t21782

We're arriving and immediately leaving by plane to our adventure to Lalibela which is home to the 12th-century hand carved rock churches of King Lalibela (1181 - 1221) whom the town is named after. We'll have lunch in our hotel, then visit the first group churches of Lalibela (UNESCO World Heritage Site) which are found northeast of a stream named ‘River Jordan’.

In a 1970 report of the historic dwellings of Lalibela, Sandro Angelini evaluated the vernacular earthen architecture on the Lalibela World Heritage Site, including the characteristics of the traditional earth houses and analysis of their state of conservation.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g480193-d7619296-Reviews-Tomb_of_A...

Our meals are included but no alcoholic beverages so we're doing a brew tour.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g480193-d12133587-Reviews-Lalibela...

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