Travel Review: Tour of Ethiopia, Addis Lalibela, Ashetan Maryam, Local Culture

Our guide was very knowledgable and flexible.  What we did not anticipate was how difficult it would be for my wife to walk the various churches in Lalibela and the trails leading to the monasteries.  Our guide was very patient and we took our time going from church to church.  When she could not negotiate a particular path, he found the best viewing spot.  Our driver waited with her while we continued on.  I would estimate that 80% of our trip followed the standard tourist track.  The other 20% which probably outweighs the other 80%? According to our guide, he felt comfortable that we would enjoy visiting his grandmother and the home in which he grew up.  What a honor and treat to meet his family.  We also got up at 5:00 AM on our departure date to attend mass at Biet Medhane Alem. Before mass, we walked around Bete Maryham where someone was being baptized.  We were the only two non-Ethiopians that we could observe and thus unobtrusive to the other worshippers -- the advantage of not being in a large group and being discreet.  We ended that day with an Ethiopian dinner, music and dance show at the "Ethiopian Cultural Ambassador" center near the airport.  Surprisingly, most of the audience were Ethiopians.  What an unexpected fun treat.  It was on our itinerary but the event exceeded our expectations. Finally, during our visit to Ashetan Maryam, we ran into four women German tourists with their guide.  They had climbed up.  Two asked if they could have a ride back to town in our van; in exchange, I joined the other two and their guide on their return hike.