Rest day! And that is what I did, rest these tired weary legs on the first of two rest days. I napped, ate and lounged around the pool. It was a great feeling. I felt so much that I deserved a day of indulgent nothing.
The night of the first rest day I received a real treat. There was a traditional Ethiopian wedding at the hotel. I will try to attach a video of it. As the car with the bride and groom pulled up the entire wedding party began dancing in a circle around the car. Someone would chant out a saying and the rest would answer with a refrain. They danced around the car for over 20 minutes. Then as the bride and groom came out they surrounded them and danced and sang all the way through the hotel. The energy and passion were amazing. One person I spoke with said the wedding is a big cultural event for the Ethiopians.
Day 2 of the rest day we toured the 6 castles of Gondar. This city had been the capital of the region dating back almost a thousand years. There are 6 castles all attached with bridges and walls. It was one family who were descendants of the great king. Each new ruler would build a new castle when he came to power. The word used for them translates to "warlord who you bow down to".
They were quite progressive even back in the 15th century. They had a system where the water was guided by a gutter system to a big walled retaining area. The water was fed through a filter system made of first sand and then cotton. That way the water from the rainy season is collected and used for the castle inhabitants during the year. Quite ingenious. They had lion pens, indoor steam baths, huge dining halls and cathedrals built around the walls.
Well tomorrow we head out for two days of heavy climbing then another rest day. (That means the climbing is big if we need a rest day after two days). Then we have five more cycling days and we reach Addis Ababa.
The communication is going to drop off a bit. Bought a SIM card but it is not working. :( Will try to post when I can.
The cistern collection area for the rainy season water.
The sunset tonight of the last rest day, breathtaking!
The journey continues to get better and better with all the fabulous photos you are posting. The castle was pretty impressive.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your climb tomorrow. You look like you are surviving from the photo you posted of yourself.
Be safe, Pam
Glad to hear you only sustained a couple of hits from the kids today! ;) The mass voyage to market day sounds amazing - what an experience for you. All the best for the climbs to come. Debra
ReplyDeletegreat stuff Mike! keep it coming.
ReplyDeleteYour looking good. No rock bruises or anything I can see. You look ready for the next day.
ReplyDeleteI liked the wedding. That must have been something to see. I once went to a Navajo wedding. It is always interesting to observe other cultures.
Love the sunset.
Well tomorrow does sound like a hard day followed by a hard day. Watch for rocks and good luck.
Ray Van Ostran