May 30, 2007 and May 31, 2007 Journal Entries

Okay, so I don't really have any journal entries for these two days. Traveling for very long hours in cramped quarters with a toddler that is still not 100% sure they can trust you with your life does not allow for many journal entries ... hence the reason the entries got shorter and shorter. So, I'll write going from memory.

May 30, 2007 began with the usual breakfast and some quick shopping at a book store [bought two children's cds that have both Amharic and English songs] and a music store to buy some fun traditional music, and two dvds [one about Ethiopia and one with traditional dancing and singing].

Following lunch, we managed to finish packing. I didn't even bother attempting to put Mikiyas down for a nap. What was the point of wasting the time and energy knowing I would be defeated. Besides, it left more of a possibility of him sleeping on the plane. At least one of the planes - right?

We paid our bill with the guest house and enjoyed a coffee ceremony and popcorn presented by the Weygoss. Meanwhile, in the rain, Selemnah and the boys packed up the vans. Flights were to leave around 10:00 pm and we had to leave the guest house around 6:30 / 7:00 pm. We said our sad goodbyes to the girls we had come to love so much at the house. They truly were wonderful, and so supportive during all the rough times.

Robel stopped by to say good-bye and make sure we needed nothing else before going. He is so kind ... they all are. We left and sure enough, Mikiyas was asleep before we completed our exit down the drive way.

Saying good-bye to Selamnah as he dropped us off at the airport was hard. It didn't help it had to be so quick. He will be missed very much. *sniff, sniff*
Checking in for our flights was long and tedious. Although we were second in line out of the five families, we were last to complete the check in. Our attendant was unable to find two seats together for any of the three flights. We didn't know this though until we received all our boarding passes. Mikiyas was unpleasant during the entire escapade, having been rudely woken up trying to get our luggage off the x-ray belts. Surprisingly, while he was still asleep, military personnel allowed me to carry him through with me so no to wake him. How kind!!

We had dinner upstairs in the airport, being brought back to reality with the cost of food. We then meandered around until it was time to get ready to board the plane. Thinking ahead, we gave Mikiyas gravol just before boarding and he was out like a light. He was so out I recalled asking whether we could overdose him. Thankfully, no. As Lyle and I were not sitting together [we were far enough a part we were in separate sections of the plane] the attendants worked hard at switching people around for us. We ended up together, next to H. with a bassinet for Mikiyas to sleep in. How perfect. That also meant we got to sleep.

Arriving in Germany, we headed for McDonald's. Mikiyas does not like french fries. He was unhappy about the whole experience, and I seemed to have a problem understanding their happy meal menu. I didn't manage to get one thing right from what I read. Thankfully, I did end up with the food I wanted. We were able to pay six Euros and had showers, separately of course to watch Mikiyas. It was nice having that water pressure. I didn't want to get out. H., Lyle and I walked far too long trying to find Frankfurt souvenirs for the kids. Unfortunately Gucci, Prada ... is all that's there.

Mikiyas loved riding the tram, escalators and moving sidewalks. He couldn't get enough. I was even taking him back and forth just for the fun of it. Why not - we had a six hour lay over. He really enjoyed just holding my hand and walking around. Mikiyas eventually fell asleep, which meant my walking 29 extra pounds around was killer on the back. I didn't have that pregnant belly, or infant to work up to that extra weight. But no stroller or carrier was worth taking for our family. The only place a stroller would have worked the entire trip was in the airports, which would just be a hassle taking Mikiyas in and out of. Besides, he needed to be mobile to work off energy. The carrier we did take, which could hold the weight, was useless for us so that's one thing I get to return to the store.

The Frankfurt flight was brutal. Lyle and I were thirteen rows a part, and I was in the middle of the plane with no bulkhead and a lap child. Mikiyas and I were squished to start off. After arguing a little with the not-so-helpful attendant, an older gentleman in a bulkhead kindly offered his seat to me as soon as he saw the situation. He was appalled at what happened. One of the other families also had to do some switching of seats as their two year old was sitting in a seat near me, but his parents were about fifteen rows behind him. Good grief! Another lady offered to switch with Lyle, and he ended up sitting right behind me.

Mikiyas managed to sleep [Gravol again!] during the first two seat moves, however, it didn't last. I was now in a bulkhead and should have received the bassinet, but apparently the wall in this area was not strong enough to hold bassinets. All the brackets were there, and bassinets were out, but the walls were too thin. Why bother putting the option on the wall if it couldn't be used? So I was moved again only across the isle so that I had an empty seat next to me. My question was, if there were two seats in that area, which was also bulkhead, why were Lyle and I not put there to begin with? At least Lyle was now across the isle and we could have conversations without talking through seat cushions.

This seat change caused Mikiyas to wake up, and it wasn't pleasant. I was finally standing at the front of the plane with a screaming child, trying to rock him back to relaxation. With all the stares, I literally just turned and waved to everyone. Why not? Gives them something laugh about. It's not like they don't know who's screaming, and not like I don't know they all hate me at this moment. Mikiyas never returned to sleep, and whined the full seven plus hours to Toronto. I apologize to everyone on that flight ...

Toronto was a short layover, with a happy little boy. I think this was because we got driven around in golf carts rather than walking. You could tell the cart drivers were mothers, they seemed to understand completely. We did our immigration paperwork quickly and very easily. Customs was also a breeze which surprised me since we had one large bag of spices that neither of us packed, nor properly knew what was in it. The list of spices was written in Amharic so it's not like we could say what they were. We said our sad good-byes to the other families and their new additions to the family [except H.]. We had come so close in such a short period of time with some of them. Life long friends for ourselves, and for the children. What unique bonds they will all have to each other.

Gravol in hand, then mouth, we boarded Air Canada. We were quickly moved again so Lyle could sit with his wonderful but tired wife, and his angelic little boy. Yes, the sarcasm was full speed during this point of our travel ... I'm really reliving this all as I type it. We did not have bulkhead seats giving us extra room, but the space between the seats was larger than that on Lufthansa Air so it was fine. All three of us slept the majority of the way to Vancouver.

Arriving in Vancouver, we were met with smiles and tears [mothers!]. Mikiyas could not wake up. Maybe all that Gravol?? It was great seeing our family and friends again. H. was with us all the way, and it was now time to depart from her after two weeks of close quarters. What a blessing of a friendship she has been, and will continue to be. Many play dates in the future ...

We finally managed to get Mikiyas to wake up. Here are some shots forwarded by another family, as we didn't have our camera out.