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American Morning

Making Ethiopia a Part of Your Travel Itinerary

Aired June 22, 2001 - 09:25   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Every Friday, we take time to check out some amazing getaways around the globe through the experiences of our friends here at "CNN TRAVEL NOW," and you'd be hard-pressed to find a more historic and inspirational place than today's destination.

Our Rudi Bakhtiar joins us now to tell us about her adventures in East Africa.

RUDI BAKHTIAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, Ethiopia, specifically. It was surreal.

Now, when most of us think of Ethiopia, the images that come to mind are often of drought and famine; vacation certainly doesn't. And granted, if you're looking for Mai Tais and margaritas, a lavish retreat, this country isn't for you. But for those in search of a spiritual -- a spiritual and intellectual awakening, an out of this world experience, this place is awesome. It has all that and more. Start making your travel plans because Ethiopia will exceed your expectations.

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BAKHTIAR (voice-over): Today, Ethiopia's religious tradition is reflected in various aspects of everyday life, but no where does the spiritual energy echo more than in the monolithic churches of Lalibela, which attract thousands of pilgrims every year during the major holy day celebrations.

DANIEL TESFAYE, TOUR GUIDE: These churches are built in the 13th century. Still, these churches are giving the service for the local people.

BAKHTIAR: Another amazing fact: All of the 11 structures were carved from one stone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The architecture is amazing. I mean how did they do it? It's like the church comes out of the rock.

BAKHTIAR: The churches were built by King Lalibela, the youngest son of the royal line of the Zagwe Dynasty, which at the time ruled much of Europe. Poisoned by his own father, Lalibela would fall into a three-day coma during which, it is said, he was transported to heaven where God told him to return to Roha and build churches the like of which the world had never seen before. Only four of the churches are monolithic. The only seven are rock-hewn carved into the mountain. A complex maze of tunnels -- with crypts, grottoes and galleries -- connects the underground churches, and each has its own specially shaped cross.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is wonderful. I - the pictures and what I read didn't prepare me for the scale of it and just how much it must have taken to do this.

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(END VIDEOTAPE)

BAKHTIAR: Now, I'm from Iran, which boasts some 2,000 years of history itself, so I've seen my share of the exotic and am not easily wowed, but I can honestly say Ethiopia goes down as one of the most amazing experiences of my life because Ethiopia is ancient beyond what's imaginable.

KAGAN: Which gives me the idea that that's not the only place that you went within Ethiopia.

BAKHTIAR: No.

KAGAN: Other personal favorites?

BAKHTIAR: There are so many other places to go. We went to Aksum, which is the ancient city that dates back to around 100 B.C. -- really going back to the roots of civilization, and the city of Gonder, which was Ethiopia's capital until the mid-1800s, full of spectacular castles and churches. And it's incredible that these places are still preserved for the whole world to see.

KAGAN: Very good. How hot -- how hot was it there?

BAKHTIAR: It was pretty hot -- pretty hot.

KAGAN: But when you live in a place like Atlanta during the summertime, it gets you in shape for that...

BAKHTIAR: It does.

KAGAN: ... as well.

BAKHTIAR: Be sure to tune in for that tomorrow at 6:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. And if you want to read more about Ethiopia and its riches, log on to our Web site at CNN.com/travel.

KAGAN: Very good. Rudi Bakhtiar, thanks for stopping by with your travel log. Appreciate it.

BAKHTIAR: Thanks.

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