An extraordinary place

This picture was taken in the town, Lalibela, in the east African nation, Ethiopia, in 2008. It is market day, a vibrant time when people travel, mostly by foot, from across the region to sell various goods. It is an extraordinary sight, and the whole area is wrapped in an energy of conversations, shuffling feet, tapping sticks, music, occasional car horns, and donkey brays.

Lalibela is renowned for its churches that are built into single rocks among the landscape. It’s hard to imagine until you see it for yourself, and I recommend you put it on your lifetime travel list. It is a holy place that practises Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, and it draws followers from far and wide. Above all, Lalibela is an example of just how diverse and amazing our world is. Can you tell a story about a far-away country?