On our second day in Axum, prior to catching our flight back to Addis, we toured some of the UNESCO heritage site. I'd like to say it was impressive but actually not so much. The city is the site of an ancient kingdom which had its height in 4th AD. Tall stelae (ancient tombs stones), empty tombs and palace ruins, a stone slab with writing in Greek and two ancient languages (think Rosetta Stone). I opted to not go into the church where the Ark of the Covenant is supposedly kept. They parade around a replica before mass and only one person is allowed into the inner sanctum where the real one is said to be kept. A highlight from both days was having lunch at a local restaurant of good Ethiopian food finished off by the customary coffee ceremony. They roast the beans, grind them, heat the water and brew it in front of you a few demitasses at a time. The Ethiopian coffee is good but it is strong. A couple ounces is all you need. I had a glass in Addis at 4p and didn't fall asleep until 2a - I blame the coffee not jet lag.
1 comment:
I visited Axum in 1969. I didn't enter the place where the Ark is supposedly kept.I bought an ancient well used hand made parchment prayer book(I think) in the ancient language of Geez from a priest. I've been trying to find some museum interested in it, but have been unsuccessful.Maybe it isn't so valuable. But I would like to know if it is of interest and place it to be somewhere where it might be appreciated.
Violet
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