Christmas in Lalibela,
Ethiopia. Ethiopia was one of the earliest nations to adopt Christianity, dating back to the early fourth century. Lalibela, one of the country’s holiest cities, is home to 11 rock-hewn churches set high in the mountains in the north. Tens of thousands of white-robed pilgrims arrive in Lalibela from all over Ethiopia to celebrate Orthodox Christmas. Some walk for days and even weeks to arrive in time. Lalibela overflows with spirituality. Worshipers pray quietly, read religious texts, and receive blessings from priests. There are candlelight prayers all night on Christmas Eve at Bet Maryam (Church of the Virgin Mary), where the faithful are jammed shoulder to shoulder in and around the church and hillside.
View of Venice.
Venice is a city on the water, and often it’s a city underwater. The frequency and severity of flooding has increased in the past 50 years. All over Venice, walls and foundations are eroding due to high tides and rising sea levels. More than 7 million tourists come to this city of about 50,000 residents. Tourism is the main source of income for Venice, but this industry focuses on profit, not sustainability..
—Ellen Harasimowicz
Ayer Road
