We headed up the mountain to Entoto. The fog hung in sheets across the mountain side creating a landscape of shadows. As we climbed higher and higher the smog of the city gave way to a crisp chilly air. It was cold up on the mountain. It became colder as the rain started to fall.
There is St. Mary's church and museum. It was built in 1885. We were not able to go inside this one. However, there was a nice museum to the side.
We arrived just as the rain started pouring. We toured the museum. Our fantastic tour guide had all sorts of great historical information about the church and Ethiopia as a whole. We ended up hanging out at the museum entrance for about 30 minutes just talking with him and waiting for the rain to subside. Kevin seems to make friends where ever he goes! We've been invited out to our guide's home next time we visit! As his other job he's a cabbage farmer. He was quite happy about the rain!
Behind the church there is the old palace of Menelik II, late emperor of Ethiopia. The buildings were built in 1875. The emperor and his wife chose this location as a strategic move. It is high on the mountain and would be easier to defend. There are beautiful views. Although in modern day there are Eucalyptus trees that block much of the view to the valleys below.
This structure is the bedroom of the emperor and his wife. The buildings are made out of mud and straw with a wooden pole frame.
The main building houses the
living area for the royal family and the banquet hall.
The roofs are made with strips of wood bound together with leather. The outer portion of thatch is replaced every few years.
This was a "refrigerator"
they used. It is a cabinet inserted into a limestone wall.
Here is the banquet hall.
Each classification of dignitaries had their own entrance into the banquet hall. The more prestigious the dignitary the closer they entered to the emperor.
They would store the food in this
room. The meat would hang from the horns inset into the wall.
In the storage room there was the
royal tej container. Yeah, they had to have a picture with it :)
This is a view off of the back
terrace area, outside the banquet hall.
This is a Eucalyptus tree that is
over 170 years old.
A narrow walk goes all the way around
the modest palace.
After touring the old palace we headed just a little way down the road to another church . . . another two churches :) The fog had rolled in even thicker!
This . . . this was our destination!
I know . . . I know. It doesn't look like much! However, this is way too cool! It's a 13th century rock hewn church!!! Emperor Menelik would go down to this church and pray. The ceiling is black from candle soot. There are three different sections of this tiny church each representing a part of the Trinity. The church is still used today. Sunday school children have their scripture memorization papers stored in the altar area! WOW!!! I have a video of it and I'll try to post that as well!
This is the small cave to the side of the rock hewn church. It was down there that communion was prepared and readied for worship. It now being rainy season . . . it's full of water!
After all of our wonderful adventures
in Entoto we head back to Addis for lunch.
We ate at a nice little place called Paradise Garden Restaurant. Our driver, Buggadu, and our friend Josiah decided to demonstrate the custom of feeding someone else. In Ethiopia you eat traditional foods with your your hands, using injera to scoop up the meat or stew on the plate. You only eat with your right hand. It shows someone great honor when you feed them. So . . . Josiah has great respect for Buggadu!
There was a beautiful view from the windows of the restaurant. A wonderful end to a wonderful day!
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