And There I Was Volume VIII

Book excerpt: The eight journey of nine in the And There I Was series-Ethiopia, cradle of all mankind-took place in 2004. Come along and recount the incredible history of a country older than time itself-a country of orphaned children steeped in Christianity. Trek the Simiens, a geological creation that surpasses even the imagination of God, where the lion-like baboon presides. Travel to an island monastery on Lake Tana where the Arc of the Covenant once resided and hold council with a priest who has spent his entire life studying the origins and meaning of Christianity-a man perhaps more knowledgeable than any other who serves as custodian of an underground vault of parchment texts predating Christ. Witness local women performing the world's most seductive dance, the Iskista, and see incredible churches hewn out of the earth's bedrock in Lalibela, the Jerusalem of Africa. Meet the children of Ethiopia and have them guide you by the hand to the headwaters of the Nile. Share sugar cane and song with the raincloud Dorze people and roam the shores and waters of Lake Chomo amongst the largest crocodiles in the world. Chew "qat," sample "tej" or honey wine, the nectar of the Gods and gorge on "injera" made from the national grain, "teff."