Settling In And Getting To Know My Surroundings

So just as I was finishing this, I got moved to a new (and better room!) More on that tomorrow. For now, here's what I had written.....

The Sheraton...my new home for at least a few weeks.... is shaped like a U and at first I was at the base...so to my left I saw a long side....

....as well as the gardens/fountain and a bit of Addis in the background.

This weekend is a three day weekend. There was an organized trip for some those of my colleagues and their families who were interested to go to Debre Libanos--a historic site about 100 kilometers from Addis. Debre Libanos has a famous church and cave and is located in a beautiful gorge.

During the drive to Debre Libanos we passed a lot of haystacks (and teff-stacks) by the road. Harvest season is in full swing.

When a group of us stopped for a view, we were quickly surrounded by local kids selling basics and crosses made out of pink marble....

The view of the gorge was gorgeous---even if it was a little hazy.
At the chuch, a monk walks by our group.


The view from the church:

Inside the church, the stained glass was unexpected, and beautiful.

After the church and a hike to a cave--where the water is considered holy--we stopped for a picnic and another little hike to the "portuguese bridge".

The bridge--built by the Portuguese about 400 years ago out of limestone.

A family of baboons walk nearby as they graze.