An Orthodox priest wrapped in a white shawl stands
on a ledge close to the church of Abuna Gebre
Mikael, which sits on a loty plateau 1,500t above
the rolling scrubland and russet sandstone spurs of
the desert plains. The route to this lookout involves
leaping across gaps and scrambling up a steep gully
— such trials are considered a show of faith.
118 nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel
ETHIOPIA