Moving on to Gondar

Africa » Ethiopia
December 26th 2009

Published: June 16th 2017

Geo: 12.6, 37.4667This entry will actually cover the last few days. First, thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes and the Christmas greetings. Even though Ethiopians don't celebrate Christmas (Leddet) until January 6/7, many children and some adults wished us Merry Christmas as we were walking around the last couple of days.Dec. 24 was spent getting to Gondar - via the usual local mini ... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 71, Displayed: 21

More residences in the compound

Empress Mentewab's castle

Can't go inside but it is lovely from the outside. She was the wife of Bekaffa - interesting story about how they met.

Couryard between Bekaffa's and Mentewab's castles

Fasilada's castle dominates in the background.

Gondar streets-lots of colorful plants

Lots of colorful plants.

Fasilada's Bath

This is a completely separate complex about 2 km from the castle compound. There is a huge sunken pool which is still used every year for Timket festivities and a small building that some believe was Fasilada's second residence. It is currently under restoration financed by the Norwegian government.

Fasilada's Bath

Fasilada's Bath restoration underway

Fasilada's Bath

Fasilada's Bath -seating for Timket.

Seating area getting ready for Timket.

Fasilada's Bath

Debre Birhan Selassie Church

Most famous for its fabulous ceiling paintings

Debre Birhan Selassie Church

The trinity. The name of the church means 'Trinity at the Mount of Light'. Aptly named as it is located at another high point in Gondar about 2km uphill from the royal enclosure.

Debre Birhan Selassie Church famous ceiling

The amazing ceiling. Hard to get a good photo as flash photography is not allowed.

Young girls playing chess with bottle caps.

Ambaras Hotel outdoor restaurant

Ambaras Hotel - front courtyard

Front of the hotel.

Ambaras Hotel condom signage.

Lots of signage to promote the use of condoms. This is a door mat.

Ambaras Hotel

Umbrellas around the outdoor restaurant.

26th December 2009

tric Syz
non-member comment

Here is my guess about what makes the Falasha Jews different.... is it because they didn't read scriptures in Hebrew, or is that they practiced circumcision, but it was performed by a woman? Was just doing some reading about them and found
their evolution very interesting. I've never even heard of Falash Jewish people before.

28th December 2009

Rath Sophoan
non-member comment

It is an interesting story of the king and queen of Ethiopians. We have learned more from reading your writing. Or-Kun! Hope you did enjoy the bird watching tours yesterday. Have a nice visit to Ethiopia and hope to hear from you more. with
our love, Neat Vatana Thida and Poan

28th December 2009

nneat17@gmail.com
non-member comment

Hi Richard and Carole!! I am glad to read and enjoy the story that you writing about. It was wonderful to hear that you have been enjoying a lot in Ethiopia. Hope to hear more from you. Have a nice day! Neat, from Cambodia.

28th December 2009

Vatana
non-member comment

Hi Richard and Carole. I am so happy to read as to learn about Ethiopian culture and civilization and the daily life activities in Ethiopia nowadays. Have a nice visit and enjoy your days in Ethiopia.Vatana from Cambodia.

28th December 2009

Cynthia
non-member comment

Two thoughts on your factoid:They are descendants of the queen of sheba.They are the only jewish group to survive to modern day that doesn't practice rabbinc judiasm, only biblical. The judaism we know, (reform, conservateive, orthodox) is
based on rabbinic judaism. In recent history they have adopted some rabbinic judaism, but the traditions they previously followed were not so.

30th December 2009

Cynthia
non-member comment

Can't wait to hear about your bird-watching and learn about the new kinds of bird you've seen - hope you got a lot of good pics!

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