As with many things Biblical, the nature of our science and modern burdens of proof seem inadequate for evaluating ancient icons of faith and legend. The Ethiopian Orthodox Christians have no trouble accepting the legends of the ark or the assertion that it is now in Axum. We flew back to Addis. Our return international Ethiopian Airlines flight, like several domestic flights, took off ahead of schedule. We came to understand why we were instructed to check in three hours before the flight.
Security is extremely thorough on all flights.
Bring sandals or slip on footwear for days visiting churches. You constantly take your shoes off and on. We did not use wool hats or gloves. I wished I had brought more snack foods as virtually none are available locally. As pre-trip reading, I highly recommend The Blue Nile, by Alan Moorehead and The Sign and the Seal, by Graham Hancock.