I’m sorry to disappoint, but not all days are going to result with photos like this:
But for those that do, I hope you will enjoy.
While the day began in Gondar as the previous day ended (funny how that works)…
…but we were on our way to another airport soon enough.
And early in the morning, as the sun rises, there are always things to see.
Oh, and pardon a few “artsy” photos with this post. I guess I was kinda in a mood… but often, I’m presenting these images the way I see them at the moment of capture. I see black and white images more often than color – call it my handicap – but when it comes to form, lines, gesture… black and white is unmatched. Color, on the other hand, I attempt Jay Maisel’s color, light, gesture… but I often fall short.
Of course, always make your own assessment and please comment. It may not show up immediately but it’ll come up.
Anyways, back to the story:
…airport.
We arrived in Axum, checked into the hotel and immediately began a pretty lengthy day.
Lots of driving, but never disappoints. Whether its scenes like the one above or just people passing on the road…
…Ethiopia never disappoints for striking images.
Images you can’t find just about anywhere else in the world.
But the good stuff starts in the markets. Dive into a market. Always the market.
As I mentioned in the previous post, diving into a market causes you to become extremely exposed. Moreso here than anywhere else I’ve ever been. You are the foreigner. You stand out in almost every way.
People stare. But the concept, above all, is to be gentle. Meet them with a kindness and a humility. You are invading their space – just as if someone came into your Kroger or shopping mall and began photographing you. So be sensitive. Be subtle. In the end, though, you will be known.
We always drew a crowd, but a little smile or gracious nod means everything.
So our guide, Asu, began walking us through the market, explaining things and teaching us about the things we were seeing…
…whether it was pure cane sugar, saffron, onions, or a goat.
Either way, far out in the countryside, there were extraordinary people. Near the Yeha temple, for instance, many of the people looked as if they were ancient beyond their years.
If ever you have seen the mummified remains of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt, they look very similar to these living, breathing people. I wonder how much of the craggled faces of the mummified men and women are a result of the mummification and 4000 years…
…or did they look that way to begin with. The people of Ethiopia are not too far removed.
Speaking of being not-so-far removed from the ancient past…
…next to this magnificent Ethiopian Orthodox Church – one of the holiest sites in the country – is THE most holy site in the country:
…the church containing the alleged true Ark of the Covenant. These men guard this sacred site vehemently, not letting cameras come very close to the outer fence.
Google the story, its truly fascinating. And the way a real Ethiopian Orthodox Christian tells the story, it seems quite believable. Make your own inferences.
Regardless, from every pore, Ethiopia is saturated with tradition and a reverence for its history.
Strangely enough, though, some of the ancient relics are not preserved as much as they are placed in the open to be used in every day life – 500 year old hand-copied Bibles and pure gold crosses made for a king long dead are found everywhere.
But as much as those old things are still so important, the new things saturate the world more than I can even express to you.
…more than I can say.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Stay tuned,
-Noah D.
