Ethiopia Adoption-Part 8-Last Day Trip 1

Friday, April 1, 2011  9pm  Addis Ababa Airport

Right now we are sitting on the floor in the gate area where our plane will take off in about an hour.

This morning we had our usual breakfast with various other adoptive parents.  We have an omelet every day with cheese and veggies.  There is a cute chef (like little-old-man- cute) that makes a great omelet.  Matt asked if he would like a good knife when we come back and he said Yes!  And a pan too?  Sure!

Shopping

Matt was feeling really yucky today.  Cramping stomach and diarrhea.  But he was being tough.  We met Job in the lobby at 10am.  He took us shopping at some wonderful streets shops.  We bought everything we needed in just a couple of places.  I bought a traditional dress for me and one for Sally.  I’m going to let the girls pick their own out when we come back if they want to.  Got some Ethiopian crosses, purses, knives, t-shirts, dolls.  That’s mainly it.

Sleep babe

During the middle of the shopping time Matt started feeling so bad we stopped in a little restaurant.  He went to the bathroom and it was a hole in the ground.  Suffice it to say, he was not enjoying himself.  Finally he just had to go back to the room to sleep.  So they called David to pick him up and Job and I shopped a little more.

Matt was hesitant to give me the money (sort of) because he knew I’d be giving it away to all the people coming up to us begging.  So, secretly, I was glad he left because then I did! :)  Really just to several.  You would get mobbed if others saw you doing it too much.  They tell you not to do it, but …..  The Bible says the poor will always be with us, so we have to help.

Little boys

So there was this little boy whose face was mauled probably by hyenas.  That happens.  It happened to the cousin’s boy we knew that was adopted from here.  This boy today  was probably 7 years old.  He kept coming up to me.  Finally after Matt was gone I gave him 100 birr.   Most people might give 10 birr or less.  Job watched him after he ran off and he was looking at it and couldn’t believe it was 100.  Job said you just made his day.  So precious.  There were a few more instances like that.  100 birr is only about $5, but that is ALOT here.

Last visit

After shopping I went to lunch with the rest of the families.  Lasagna and ice-cream with chocolate syrup.  Then back to check on Matt.  He was asleep, so then I went to visit Sally for the last time.  Lots of people with their children on the porch today.  It was so fun.  The bonding the parents have all done has been wonderful.

Sally was awake and playing the whole time.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rO33OrRpPI

Today I took our 5 boxes of Russell Stovers candy to the America World staff in their offices  across the street (alley) from the Transition Home.  Then I had forgotten we were supposed to give Nanny gifts too.  But I had about 5 sealed Burts Bees lipsticks so I gave that to them and they loved it.  Today for the first time I hung out with about 3 of the nannies for a while taking pictures, etc.

They were so funny kissing me and hugging me and wanting this picture and that picture.

Wonderful women.  That’s a plus!

Do we stay or do we go?

At 5pm we headed back to our Guest House.  Matt was just stirring.  We had to leave for the airport at 7pm. He still wasn’t sure if he could travel yet, but I thought, I’m packing anyway.  If we stay another day or two, that’s ok.  At about 6pm he decided to go.  Then I started getting stomach cramps and the whole 9 yards.

Anyway, we got to the plane.  David was so enamored with my new Iphone case that is also a charger.  I think it’s call mophie-something.  So I gave it to him and he was thrilled.  So wonderful to bless these precious people.

The letter

We found out at about 4pm today that our MOWA letter came through!  That is a great sign.  So many people are delayed in that area.  I talked to Duni after that and suggested she send the letters that I sent in to the judge to expedite everything also to the passport office, the birth certificate office and the Embassy.  She will and she made it sound like we could be heading back even in a couple of weeks.  I bet it’s a month at the outside.

Time to get in baby mode

I now have a ton to do.  We have no baby stuff.  We need a crib, clothes, changing table, diapers, bottles, etc etc.  That will be fun!  We also have to get things that some of the staff requested like a good quality thermos for one guy.  I’m thinking Coleman maybe.  Also a charger case for the ITouch.  Not sure if they even make those.  Some books for another.  And they are going to email me with the rest of their requests.  You bond with your guides a lot so you really want to help them get whatever they need from the US.

The language

I learned 3 words.  The language is very difficult and it took me all week to remember how to say Thank You. Yes is “ow.”  No is “alpha legum.”  Thank you is “ameseganalew.”  People love it when you even stumble through trying to speak their language.  And Addis Ababa is pronounced like this:  A-deez (the first a is a short a) Ah-bah-bah (there is no emphasis on any syllable in the last word.  They are all equally spoken).  Doesn’t that sound African now? :)

That’s it for now.  Time to sleep on the plane.  Will let you know when we return to Ethiopia.

Love and Peace,

Allison