Tons of info ... grab a coffee or tea!

Today [April 7] various things have occurred. Firstly, I sent out our passport applications; secondly, I sent CAFAC our immigration application to start the process of sponsoring our baby; and thirdly, we received our travel package from CAFAC. The travel package is filled with information for when we go to Ethiopia. Even though it will be some time before we head out [like a year], there are a lot of things to be done in advance. Information included consists of:

Dossier Steps to Reach Ethiopia;
Adoption and Immigration Process in Ethiopia;
Child Referral Acceptance Process; and
Travel Instruction Package.

The travel instruction package is filled with great stuff:

Immunizations;
Travel details / advice;
Documentation needed in country;
Visa application;
Packing list and tips;
Travel itinerary;
Our daily schedule in Ethiopia;
Travel budget;
Orphanage donation list;
Accommodation information;
Important phone numbers / people to know; and
How to obtain the German Transit Visa for our baby during the layover in Germany.

It also includes information about the culture and what you can and can't do in Ethiopia, which will come in handy when we are there. We have already received a list of common words to use and how to say them in Amharic.

The one thing that will suck is immunizations. Not only expensive, but needles suck. I am used to them but Lyle ... well, he'll get used to them. We need Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Meningococcal Meningitis, Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio .... There will possibly be others, but that is dependent upon the requirements of the travel health clinic in our area. Closest ones are Yarrow [of all places] and Langley.

Aside from donations to the orphanages, we need to purchase before leaving gifts to give people such as orphanage staff, tax driver, guest house staff, our power of attorney etc... It was interesting to read too that we are not to assume that people don't understand English [in other words, be careful what you say under your breath]. Every educated person in Ethiopia is taught English. As well, Ethiopians are very respectful people. Punctuality, cheerfulness, being polite etc. are very important. Even venting frustrations in the privacy of your own room is not good. It is offensive to speak loudly. I have posted a list of recommended items for donations below. If any of you can help, we will be very thankful.

When we get to the airport in Addis [which is designed by a Canadian I might add] there are many steps, including the whole passport / immigration check and the oh-so-important check to make sure we have been inoculated for yellow fever. Our luggage, more than likely EVERY piece, will be searched. Electronics will need to be registered and they must be with us when we return to Canada. If we lose our registration cards for those items [cellphones, cameras etc.] we cannot leave Ethiopia with them. Soldiers and guards standing at various points will continue to check our baggage tags to make sure we only ever have our own things. They may ask us at any time to search our bags ... again.

After going through the packing lists, I am not sure if Lyle and I will be able to take anything for ourselves. Donations ... gifts ... food ... housing items ... baby clothes [insane amount as you don't know exactly what size your baby will be] ... diapers ... bottles ... medications ... clothes line / soap ... Do we actually have room for our own clothes? The trip is 10 days, but our time in Addis will only be 7. Hmm, gives jet lag a whole new meaning to me now.

The guest house we will probably stay at is apartment style. We only need to take / purchase our own food, dish soap, tea towels and bottled water. We will have unreliable internet.

I knew I should have gone to Tijuana when we were in San Diego. I have to learn how to barter. I suck at that. I never want to insult. Lyle will have to use his experience from when he was in the Philippines. Hopefully neither of us will be push overs or we'll be broke fast ... wait, we already will be. Ha-ha.

We received photos of sites to see in Ethiopia. Some are gorgeous and exciting. Others remind me of the sadness and poverty. The trip will definitely be an eye opener. It will be so hard to just come home with just one when the time happens. It is also suggested to take granola bars with us to give out so we don't feel pressured to give money.

Travelling home from Addis will be an adventure, aside from suddenly having a baby to travel with. If you think going to Vancouver airport two hours early is bad ... try three hours to just get processed when leaving Addis airport. And their airport tax is more money too. I think. I have to get the currency right. Both ways, we go through Frankfurt. I look forward to this part too as there's just more to see and layovers appear to be a full day. Frankfurt airport is filled with showers, which we will ALL need. And it is the time that is recommended to de-louse our baby. If we have a boy, it is easiest to just shave the hair off.

We thank God everyday for this journey. We pray for our baby and some times we even feel like our baby is at a certain stage in it's life. God is opening doors and pushing this through with no problems. It's awesome and truly amazing. [Sometimes we even start to talk about how prepared we will be and what God will do if / when we adopt number two.] Remember to thank God daily for what He is doing not only in our journey, but in your journey. He is so faithful. I dreamed of doing this when I was such a little girl ... grade four. Sometimes I wonder if I would be doing it if I had had a biological child. God's ways can be so confusing at times ... but they are so perfect when looked at in the big picture. We may still have a biological child, but God needed us to answer His calling to adopt first.

Anyway, this is long enough. I am sure many of you stopped reading a third of the way in and many of you also found it profoundly interesting. Thanks for those with long attention spans. Ha-ha. Don't forget to check out the lists below. God bless each of you.