A short flight north brought me to Lalibela. Pictures do nothing to prepare you for the scale of these structures. They don't rise toward the sky; they are carved deep into the red volcanic tuff of the earth itself.
Standing at Biete Ghiorgis
Standing on the edge of the canyon looking down at the roof of Biete Ghiorgis (Church of St. George), carved in the shape of a perfect Greek cross, is a surreal visual experience. Descending into the narrow, sun-baked stone trenches, the temperature drops dramatically. Inside, the walls are smooth, worn down by centuries of hands, and the faint murmur of chanting priests echoes from the dark corners.