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brooke beyond

Europe / France

Paragliding from Planpraz in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

19 July 2017

Last Updated on 9 February 2021

What better way to celebrate finishing my Tour du Mont Blanc hike than going paragliding right in front on Mont Blanc? Back in Chamonix just minutes after coming off the trail and meeting up with my friend Katy, we duck into a shop and book paragliding for tomorrow afternoon. We spend the rest of the evening giddy with excitement.

I’ve wanted to go paragliding for a long time now, but it’s always seemed too expensive. Imagine my surprise to find that it’s only 110€ to go from Planpraz above Chamonix— a veritable bargain! In this situation, it is absolutely rude not to.

All the details: Paragliding from Planpraz

Cost: Again, a flight from Planpraz will only cost 110€, which is amazingly cheap compared to paragliding in other locations! All (or at least most) of Chamonix’s many paragliding companies are on the rue Joseph Vallot, so head down this main road and book something in— we can personally recommend Summits.

Getting there: On the morning of your paraglide, you’ll have to get yourself to the Planpraz cablecar station, which is an easy walk from most hotels in Chamonix. Once there, you will meet your guide and board the cable car to the top (included in the price).

Top tips: I’d strongly recommend bringing your own GoPro or at least some kind of small camera (preferably one you can tie around your wrist so you don’t risk dropping it), the views as you float back down towards Chamonix are unbelievable!


We wake up the following morning to beautifully sunny weather and are soon en route to the cable car station in the centre of town to meet our paragliders at noon. They arrive fashionably late and shoo us quickly into a car to make our way up the mountain. My paraglider is Jean-Marc, who calls me “small friend” and loads me up to carry some of the gear out of the cable car and onto the grassy hill a few metres away.



All preparations are over within a matter of minutes, and I am soon being instructed to run down this incredibly steep hill and not lift my legs until Jean-Marc gives the ok. I only contact the ground for about 4 steps before we are lifted far enough off the hill that I’m basically just pawing at the air, and then we are off!

The experience is gentler than I imagined. It’s actually incredibly peaceful floating through the sky, Mont Blanc lurking over us and Chamonix sprawling below. I can’t get over the feeling of flying—it truly feels like we have wings, or maybe like Jean-Marc has wings and I’m just a small rodent that got scooped up and taken along for the ride.. At any rate, it’s pretty magical.



Jean-Marc, determined not to let me relax too much, launches into a series of tight turns that have us spinning at 2.4G’s and he proudly alerts me that I’ve just experienced gravity force. I love the fast spirals and he happily performs several more as we continue our descent.

The whole flight is nearly 45 minutes, but I’m still sad to approach the ground and give up our wings. We land surprisingly gently and before I know it, Jean-Marc is waving goodbye and Katy and I are walking back into Chamonix. What a spectacular experience with the most incredible backdrop—everything is better in front of Mont Blanc.

https://brookebeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_4584-4.m4v

Read more about my time in Chamonix

SEA OF ICE: EXPLORING FRANCE’S LARGEST GLACIER, MER DE GLACE

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SOLO HIKING & CAMPING THE TOUR DU MONT BLANC

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SOLO HIKING THE TOUR DU MONT BLANC

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brooke beyond

Hey, I'm Brooke and I'm obsessed with getting off the beaten path, exploring backcountry gems & travelling beyond the ordinary! I left Australia 5 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since (joined by my life/climbing partner, James). Whether it’s road-tripping through Mexico, climbing alpine peaks in the Andes, scuba diving in the Red Sea, or tackling epic via ferrata in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

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hi, I’m brooke!

I'm obsessed with getting off the beaten path, exploring backcountry gems & travelling beyond the ordinary! I left Australia 5 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since (now joined by my life/climbing partner, James). I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

read my story
currently exploring

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hotels 🏨 booking.com

car hire 🚗 discover cars

outdoor gear 🥾 REI

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best travel eSIM 📲 Airalo

Travel insurance 💸 SafetyWing

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epic itineraries

hiking guides

GPS maps

recent posts

  • Teton Crest Trail: my epic 5-day backpacking route to Delta Lake + Middle/South Teton summits

    14 May 2025
  • Camera gear for travel photography: what we use as full-time travellers

    11 May 2025
  • Complete Ausangate Circuit & Rainbow Mountain packing list

    10 May 2025
  • Complete Salkantay Trek packing list: what to pack for hiking to Machu Picchu

    9 May 2025
  • Complete Inca Trail packing list: what to pack for hiking to Machu Picchu

    9 May 2025

@brookebeyond_
brooke ✨travel & mountain gal

@brookebeyond_

  • THIS 👆🏼IS MEXICO 

I’ve spent nearly 2 years exploring Mexico & barely scratched the surface of this incredible country— hands-down my favourite place to travel, even after 60 countries! México es mejor 🇲🇽

Follow @brookebeyond_ for more Mexico off the beaten path 🇲🇽✨

States featured in this video:
- Baja California (Norte)
- Campeche
- Chiapas
- Guanajuato
- Hidalgo
- Jalisco
- Michoacán
- Nuevo Leon
- Oaxaca
- Puebla
- Tabasco
- Quintana Roo
- Veracruz
- Yucatán
  • Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
  • ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
.
.
.
.
.
#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
  • CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
.
.
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.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
  • Ethiopia is one of the few places on Earth where you can trek across day-old lava flows & stand at the edge of a crater filled with liquid fire.

✨ Erta Ale & more included on our Ethiopia adventure trip in November, check out full details at bit.ly/beyond-Ethiopia ✨

Would you get this close?! 👀🔥
.
.
.
.
.
#ertaale #ethiopia #travelethiopia #travelafrica #volcano #bucketlist #travelgirls #adventuretravel #volcanoes
  • Come with us to explore one of the craziest places on the entire planet:📍 Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

✨ this & more included on our Ethiopia adventure trip in November, check out full details at the link in bio! ✨
.
.
.
.
.
#textures #ethiopia #travelethiopia #travelafrica #simienmountains #bucketlist #travelgirls #adventuretravel
  • ETHIOPIA GROUP TRIP 🌈🌋☕️✨

I’ve been teasing it all month, but I’m so excited to finally open  bookings for our group adventure trip to Ethiopia from 3-12 November!

✨click the link in my bio for trip details ✨

our 10-day Ethiopia itinerary includes:
🧆 cooking class + Addis Ababa city tour 
🌋 hiking on Erta Ale, an active volcano
🌈 neon acid springs in the Danakil Depression
⛰️ scrambling to ancient cliffside monasteries in Gheralta to camp with the local monks
🥾 3-day trek through the Simien Mountains
+
 🐋 optional 3-day extension to Djibouti to swim with whale sharks!!

✨full itinerary + booking details at bit.ly/beyond-ethiopia ✨
  • Bolivia isn’t the only place with epic salt flats…

📍Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

✨ this & more included on our Ethiopia adventure trip in November, check out full details at the link in bio! ✨
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#ethiopia #danakildepression #danakil #saltflats #travelethiopia #bucketlist #adventuretravel
  • ETHIOPIA’S TREKKING PARADISE ⛰️🇪🇹

Jagged peaks, sheer cliffs dropping thousands of metres, endless canyonlands & high-elevation plantlife that looks straight out of a fantasy novel.

The Simien Mountains are one of the most spectacular trekking destinations in the world—so why is no one talking about it?!

For 3 days, we hiked through some of the most dramatic landscapes I’ve ever seen, completely alone except for troops of Gelada Baboons (the “bleeding heart monkeys” that only live here). And at Imet Gogo, the most famous viewpoint, we sat on the edge of the escarpment in total awe & complete silence, no one but our local trekking guide for miles.

If you’re looking for epic trekking without the masses, Ethiopia needs to be on your radar. And luckily, we’ve got a group hiking trip on the calendar for November 😍

✨ DM for early access! ✨
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#textures #ethiopia #travelethiopia #travelafrica #simienmountains #bucketlist #travelgirls #adventuretravel
follow @brookebeyond_

travel beyond the ordinary

Explore my travel guides, custom itineraries & blog posts with an interactive world map ✨

all destinations

  • THIS 👆🏼IS MEXICO 

I’ve spent nearly 2 years exploring Mexico & barely scratched the surface of this incredible country— hands-down my favourite place to travel, even after 60 countries! México es mejor 🇲🇽

Follow @brookebeyond_ for more Mexico off the beaten path 🇲🇽✨

States featured in this video:
- Baja California (Norte)
- Campeche
- Chiapas
- Guanajuato
- Hidalgo
- Jalisco
- Michoacán
- Nuevo Leon
- Oaxaca
- Puebla
- Tabasco
- Quintana Roo
- Veracruz
- Yucatán
  • Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
  • ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
.
.
.
.
.
#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
  • CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
.
.
.
.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
  • Ethiopia is one of the few places on Earth where you can trek across day-old lava flows & stand at the edge of a crater filled with liquid fire.

✨ Erta Ale & more included on our Ethiopia adventure trip in November, check out full details at bit.ly/beyond-Ethiopia ✨

Would you get this close?! 👀🔥
.
.
.
.
.
#ertaale #ethiopia #travelethiopia #travelafrica #volcano #bucketlist #travelgirls #adventuretravel #volcanoes
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
THIS 👆🏼IS MEXICO I’ve spent nearly 2 years exploring Mexico & barely scratched the surface of this incredible country— hands-down my favourite place to travel, even after 60 countries! México es mejor 🇲🇽 Follow @brookebeyond_ for more Mexico off the beaten path 🇲🇽✨ States featured in this video: - Baja California (Norte) - Campeche - Chiapas - Guanajuato - Hidalgo - Jalisco - Michoacán - Nuevo Leon - Oaxaca - Puebla - Tabasco - Quintana Roo - Veracruz - Yucatán
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. 

It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk.

We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). 

I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. 

And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me.

Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else.

We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in wondering where on earth I’ve disappeared to this past month… well, I’ve been dealing with an unexpected & rather serious knee issue and ended up having surgery here in San Cristóbal last week. It’s a long & depressing story, but basically I developed a rare inflammatory condition in the lining of my knee joint (that I’ve had previously in my ankle) and within 2 weeks I went from 100% healthy to literally unable to walk. We’re extremely lucky to have been renting an apartment in San Cris during this time so I had access to high-quality medical care at a price that wouldn’t bankrupt us (uninsured outside Australia, heyooo 🤙🏼). I was able to get an MRI for $100 out of pocket, we found a really awesome local orthopaedic surgeon trained in arthroscopy, and I’ve been going to rehab a couple times a week with the sweetest physios. The fact that this happened in Mexico, where I feel at home and speak the language and everything just happens quickly/without a lot of formality is a true blessing. And still, it’s been really hard. I’ve spent most of the last month in bed, James has to carry me to the bathroom, and I haven’t even been able to shower for 10 days because of bandages. We had to cancel all of our summer climbing plans and not knowing when I’ll be able to walk or hike again has been heartbreaking for me. Sharing this because I think full-time travel can appear perfect online, but beyond the highlight reel, there are plenty of shitty moments too— plans get cancelled, money is lost, injuries happen far from home, recovery doesn’t happen any quicker for me than it does for anyone else. We’re staying put in Mexico for another few weeks and then hopefully moving to the next destination, but suffice to say 2025 is going to look a lot different than we imagined ❤️‍🩹
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨

Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. 

This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12].

Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. 

On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion.

Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨
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#ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
ገና (GENA) ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS ✞🕯️✨ Weeks after most of the world has packed away their decorations (because Ethiopia follows its own ancient calendar, Christmas here falls on January 7th), a million worshippers all draped in white gather around Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches for Gena. This is the centre of Orthodox Christianity in Africa & many have walked barefoot for weeks across mountains just to be here, seeking blessings from the local priests & divinity from the wrinkled monks [photos 3 & 12]. Makeshift camps are set up in the fields around Lalibela [photos 6-7] & strangers become neighbours for a few weeks, cooking & singing & praying & sharing food in the build-up to Christmas. On the night of January 6th, thousands assemble at Bet Maryam for an all-night vigil, Ge’ez hymns & drumbeats reverberating in the candlelight & whispered prayers filling the air [photos 15-17]. By sunrise, the 43-day fast (of animal products) is broken & most families slaughter a goat or sheep for the occasion. Even as a foreign atheist, the whole experience was inarguably divine ✞🕯️✨ . . . . . #ethiopia #lalibela #gena #ethiopianchristmas #christmas #travelethiopia #ethiopianculture #ethiopianorthodox
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
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#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
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#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
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#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
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.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
.
.
.
.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
.
.
.
.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
.
.
.
.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
.
.
.
.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do).

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️

For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon

✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨
.
.
.
.
.
#altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
@brookebeyond_
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CUSTOM GPS MAPS NOW LIVE!!!!! 🗺️🌎📍 ✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨ Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours building a custom GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when going off-trail (as I love to do). And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I am finally ready to release super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!! With new detailed notes at every single waypoint, better route beta, more alternatives, and updates based on my successful adventures, these maps reflect a lot of work + I am super excited to share them with the world 🗺️ For now, I’ve got Alta Via 2, Alta Via 4, and Aconcagua summit (via Horcones Valley) for sale, with more in the pipeline sooooon ✨ please share with anyone planning to hike AV2/AV4 or climb Aconcagua✨ . . . . . #altavia2 #altavia4 #av2 #av4 #italiandolomites #dolomites #dolomiti #aconcagua #horconesvalley #aconcaguasummit #solohiking #GPSmaps
1 month ago
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@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
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Ethiopia is one of the few places on Earth where you can trek across day-old lava flows & stand at the edge of a crater filled with liquid fire. ✨ Erta Ale & more included on our Ethiopia adventure trip in November, check out full details at bit.ly/beyond-Ethiopia ✨ Would you get this close?! 👀🔥 . . . . . #ertaale #ethiopia #travelethiopia #travelafrica #volcano #bucketlist #travelgirls #adventuretravel #volcanoes
2 months ago
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