January 15 Journal Email

We woke up far too early given the late night before.  But we quickly managed to drag ourselves downstairs for breakfast before the cook had even turned to the stove on.  As it turned out, the driver was late and we left almost two hours later than planned.

We headed out on a two hour drive (which included Mikiyas getting car sick and us figuring he cannot eat eggs when traveling) north of the city to see the Portuguese bridge.  It was built in the 1600's by the Portuguese. It is made of limestone and ostrich eggs.  They mixed the raw eggs with the limestone to make a kind of cement.  The bridge goes over waterfalls that eventually lead to the Nile River.  The rock walls surrounding is home to many baboons.  However, given it is now the dry season, we saw no water falls and no baboons.  It still was incredible to see and stand on it.  It was another steep climb for me carrying a baby!  What a work out I seem to be getting lately.

 

Above the bridge by the resort, the view was amazing.  It was Ethiopia's version of the Grand Canyon. Just amazing.  Now I want to see the Grand Canyon.  

When we returned, we walked to a restaurant close by called Cloud 9 and enjoyed a late lunch / early supper.  Pizza for most, amazing juices for all, and a cheeseburger for Lyle.  The rest of the evening was spent laughing and relaxing while Mihret kept up with her tricks, teases and crazy games.  

Tomorrow our visas should arrive in Ethiopia from Nairobi.  We will also likely enjoy another day of relaxing and walking around here as Tuesday is a full day with Compassion.  As the days fly by and we get used to the glorious weather, we shudder to think we must return to winter in a week. 

January 14 Journal Email

The day for myself was pretty mellow.  I stuck around the guest house for most of the day.  I wanted to spend some time hanging out with Mikiyas (and Mihret) in the morning while the others went to a coffee distributor for some big buys.  Big buys as in quantity, not price. Mikiyas and I enjoyed some down time and he's become a pro at playing UNO now.

I did join the others in a quick noon outing to the grocery store for a few items we like to have around here.

 

After lunch, I put Mihret down for a nap and enjoyed some solitude (but not sleep) as the others went to the anthropological museum.  Apparently it was a terrific outing.  Mikiyas learned a lot about the history of Ethiopia and the culture.  It was great hearing from him different facts and events. Although it was a school type outing, he really seemed to enjoy himself. When they got back I went for a walk with my mom without children.  It was refreshing for me, but mom said I walk way to fast when I don't have them.

 

We had a very late evening, especially for both kids, as we went out with many other people staying here for a 7:30 dinner with entertainment.  It was traditional dinner and dancing.  Dancing was limited to the stage so no, we did not need to participate.  However, they did manage to get two people from our group up dancing at different times.  The food was quite good, and we were able to try a few things we hadn't before, and the entertainment was terrific.  Both Lyle and I did feel that we've had better food before though.  One of the ladies did the head swinging thing so fast you could catch a weird glimpse of her eyes.  She looked alien like she was bobbing so fast. I kept waiting for her head to take off into space.

Getting back so late, we all crashed to bed pretty quickly.  The two grandmas, having never seen entertainment like that, really seemed to have enjoyed themselves.  As we crawled into the guest house, we were told we'd be leaving at 8:00 in the morning for our next adventure.  But just before we fell asleep, Mikiyas lost a tooth!

 

January 13 Journal Email

First thing after breakfast, Mikiyas got to go with our friend Mesfin to go get his shoes shine. He thought this was pretty cool and enjoyed the adventure.  I think he'd like to do it again before we go home.  It costs about .50 cents to have it done.  And his shoes came out looking like new.

We decided that we would stick around close to the guest house today and enjoy some walking and some of the shops near by.  Next week, we have more adventures planned so having some down days is a good thing.  It's funny to be in the neighborhood having people recognize you now and visit with you on the streets, or the store workers knowing what you want to buy and having it ready for you before you even walk in.  A city of millions and I probably "know" more friendly shop owners here than I do back home.

Mikiyas also did his usual walk home from one of the markets, giving sodas to different people we saw on the streets; whether a mom with a small child, a laborer working, or a shoe shine boy waiting for the next customer.  He enjoys doing this and seeing people smile as they receive a treat. 

We also got in a visit with someone special today.  Nothing to really tell about it, but it was just a visit with a lady that told us about her life and how far she's come since she found God.  It was pretty cool to hear how He changed her life and brought her through some hardship. 

At dinner Mihret managed to feed herself about half her meal using her hands.  She eventually grabbed on to the spoon too to feed herself.  Another milestone that can be taken for granted, but is a delayed step for her at this age.  

January 12 Journal Email Part 2

So one random day in February I went to use my camera.  The memory card was full of pictures from Ethiopia.  I decided to check it out before deleting them.  Sure enough, for some strange technological reason, 32 pictures did not transfer to the computer.  They were from our trip to the rock hewn church, and some look fabulous.  So I decided to do a second little post showing some fun pictures.

 

 

The man with the gun finally lulled her to sleep fanning her with leaves and singing a traditional lullaby.

January 12 Journal Email

Had a dark start to the day, having no power.  While we got ready, we had our usual delicious breakfast.  Lyle then headed to the Lufthansa office to see if our flights had any bulk head seats available.  There are none, so we will not have a bassinet for Mihret to rest in.  She will be on laps the entire trip home.  Ugh!

The two grandmas decided to go walking and shopping in the neighborhood as Lyle, Mikiyas, Mihret and I were going on a hike to see a church built in a rock below the ground 1600 years ago.

I will interject here a side story.  There is a boy here from BC that is 8 years old.  He and Mikiyas have hit it off beautifully.  They were playing in our room together as we got ready for hike.  However, the van left without us.  The boy's mother was in the van and didn't have her son.  She had been told we were in a van that left before them and she was mad that her son left without her.  And we were surprised she left without her son.  Thankfully, all was well and they came back to get us.

Anyway ...  We were told it was a 45 minute hike.  We weren't told it was up the side of a mountain and was beyond any average hike.  The entire climb was up.  Some slopes as much as a 45 degree angle, which sucks when you are carrying an extra 25 pounds in the form of a squiggling baby. Lyle, myself and one other man rotated carrying Mihret.  Given her aversion to being held by anyone but me, the only time she wasn't crying was when she was in my arms so I think I got the brunt of the uphill climb.  The elevation is hard in the city here, so we all could really feel it climbing the mountain.  At one point, I felt a little light headed.  We had a guide who does the climb about four times a day.  He is at least 60 years old.  We also had a man in a green suit with a machine gun.  Half way up I asked why the gun, and was informed it was in case of hyenas or lions.

We enjoyed the amazing things to see and learn at the top.  It was incredible what the people carved out of one rock in the ground 1600 years ago.  And then we had a most magnificent view of the entire city.  The journey down was much easier and quicker.  Our armed guard grabbed Mihret at the beginning of the descent.  He ended up taking her the entire trip down.  He had started singing to her to get her to stop crying and she fell asleep.  He put his fancy hat over her head and managed to keep her the entire trip down. I mentioned to them after that all families should be warned not to take small children.  

 

 

We returned to the guest house shortly after lunch, exhausted, sore and suffering from some sun burn.  After a quick bite to eat for the kids, we went shopping at "Churchill", an area of small, hot, crammed full stores full of souvenirs, gift items and traditional type clothing.  We had fun doing a little bartering and getting to know some of the shop owners.  

The night ended with ordering in dinner and having some terrific laughs with Mihret and Mikiyas.  Mihret had some issues waiting for the second part of her meal as it was late coming to her.  She definitely has her issues about needing to eat.  But when it did finally come, I was proud to see her finally grab some of it with her hand and feed herself.  Just a few times, and a little timid doing so, but a good step nonetheless.