An exotic journey through the Cradle of Civilization
Ethiopia is the country known by many as the Cradle of Civilization. It is a country with the richest stories about the origins of man. The 3.2 Million year old skeleton of Lucy, and the 4.4 Million year old remains of Ardi are both from Ethiopia. As well as the relatively newer stories about the first modern humans emerging from this part of the world about 200,000 years ago and spreading into Europe and across the rest of the world. All of these stories and the ones that cover the last 2,000-3,000 years make Ethiopia filled with rich explorations of man’s evolution, belief systems, as well as life itself and consciousness.
Our tour in Ethiopia, will take us on a journey through time as well as the grey areas between fact and mythology and the cross roads of many major religions. We will see how this country is connected with the Queen of Sheba, King Solomon of Israel, and their son Menelik 1st, who brought the Ark of the Covenant to Ethiopia in 950 BCE. We will visit some of the amazing rock-hewn Christian churches of Tigray, some with histories dating back to the 3rd and 5th century CE, and the incredible monolithic churches of Lalibela that were carved out of living mother rock, and an ancient pagan temple that predates all of these.
This country is also filled with plenty of natural beauty; we will see hippos, crocodiles and zebras as we explore the sacredness of the Lake Tana and the origins of the Blue Nile River. Even the ancient Egyptians, classified Ethiopia (“Punt”) as the “land of beauty and plenty”. Egypt’s Queen Hepshutsut at multiple times sent legions of boats and merchants to trade for the riches of frankincense, myrrh and exotic animals. Still today, in the markets, we will see huge bags filled with these incenses that were once worth more then gold. We will journey deep into the Simian Mountains to see Gelada Baboons, Walia Ibex and if we are lucky some Caracals.
The beauty of Ethiopia will be all around you on this journey, whether you are looking at the centuries old wall and ceiling paintings, or marveling at ancient buildings carved out of solid rock, or tasting healing honey from the sacred bees that live inside a temple, or listening to groups of monks chanting in ancient G’eez, or making your own coffee pot from river clay, or cooking enjerra over an open fire.
The experiences we will have on this tour are all designed to help us explore who we are and to help us grow. Ethiopia may be the Cradle of Civilization, however I see it as the Cradle of Consciousness, this is the country where the energy of the universe created a quantum leap in humanity’s history, as if a true fingerprint of God energy was left here.
One thing I know is that this country needs to be seen and experienced, to be believed. Join us on this amazing journey into the Cradle of Humanity.
Love- Malcolm, Loretta and Scott