Meeting the Girls

Our first day in Ethiopia really starts on our last day (Sunday the 13th) in Paris. We had to check out of the hotel by 11:00 a.m. but our flight did not leave until 10:00 p.m. Once we woke up and showered we decided to check out and spend the day milling around.



We went to Notre Dame first. When we got there mass was just starting. We went in and hung out for most of the service. The choir was outstanding. It was very calming, and combined with the sense of history of the cathedral I felt transported back hundreds of years into the past. Regrettably, our time there was short and we headed off for lunch and then to the natural history museum. Time seemed to stand still. Finally, we gave in around 4 p.m. and went back to the hotel to get our luggage and make our way on the metro to the airport.


The Paris metro was really easy to navigate and we got to Charles De Gaulle Airport without any trouble. First thing we had to do though before we left was confirm that we were to depart from De Gaulle since we arrived at Orley.


We arrive at the airport very early, obviously. There was no one at the baggage check for Ethiopian Air. In fact, there wasn't even a dedicated desk for Ethiopian Air, so we waited. At about 6:30 p.m. we went to find the baggage check and discovered that we were pretty much the last ones with a reservation to do so. Despite a very unclear service process, the line moved along fairly quickly. Once through security, we eat dinner and waited out the last 90 minutes.


The 7 hour flight to Addis was brutal. The flight was packed, not an empty seat on the plane. They literally had us jammed in like sardines. Sitting next to me was a very large fellow; over 6 feet and 300 pounds. I was completely squished. The good news is that I did not get sick! At De Gaulle, I bought two bands that suppress motion sickness by depressing the nerve endings in your arm, between the two tendons just below the wrist. I can't say for certain that the bands worked or if it was any number of other factors, but I was just glad for it.


Customs and the entry visa process in Ethiopia was a breeze. We grabbed our bags and headed to the arrival area to meet our driver. The only problem was no driver. We waited and waited, but nothing. Finally some local man, also waiting for someone over heard us talking and offered us his cell phone. We got through and 40 minutes later the driver showed up. While we were waiting, the fellow that lent us his cell phone came over to us and asked if everything was OK.


Finally, at 9:00 a.m. we dropped our bags at the Ethiopian Guest House. The staff is exceptionally helpful. They called the House of Hope (HOH) for us and arranged for the driver to pick us up at 2:00 p.m. We took the opportunity to take a short nap. At noon, lunch was prepared for us that mostly consisted of spicy beef and was quite tasty.


At 2:00 the driver arrived and everyone at the Guest House, staff and other guests shook our hands and wished us well. When we got to the HOH, Rediet and Mihret were waiting in the courtyard for us. You could see the excitement in their whole bodies and their faces were absolutely beaming. The joy we felt getting those two big hugs and hearing "hello Mommy and Daddy" was indescribable.


The girls took us by the hand and led us to a sitting room where some of the other families were playing with their children. The girls showed us the albums we sent them and introduced us to their friends. They also immediately went through all our stuff looking for things we brought for them.


Rediet (pronounced very quickly as Rahdeyet) impressed us mightily with her English. She is clearly very bright and as by far the oldest at HOH the leader of the group. She quickly discovered Stephanie's camera and how to use it and began taking loads of pictures. She is most definitely older than 7. My guess is 10 or 11. She is also more than ready to leave for America and I think is very confused why we haven't left yet.


We tried passing some time kicking a soccer ball around and riding a tricycle, but all Rediet wanted to do was go around and say goodbye to everyone and take their picture.


Mihret is very sweet and like her sister older than 4. My guess for her is 6 or possibly even 7. Also like her sister she is anxious to leave for America but cannot express it as well.


The 4 of us went for a quick tour of Addis. It was a good diversion. By the time we got back, dinner was ready. Dinner was at the HOH Guest House and we met most of the other families. There are 10 families in total traveling at the same time as us. The HOH Guest House is set up similar to the Ethiopian Guest House and the HOH. The Guest House and / or other buildings are surrounded by a wall forming a courtyard. At the Ethiopian Guest House there is a grassy area. At the HOH and HOH Guest House it is all concrete. The walls are topped with razor wire and there is a large gate that is manned with a staff worker. Dinner was excellent; tomato soup with rice, stewed beef, salad and veggies. And yes Mom, I was a good boy and ate my veggies. The kids played a little bit in the courtyard and then it was time to go back to our guest house. More hugs, good byes and pictures. The girls clearly do not understand that we will be back tomorrow.


Both girls seem very healthy, though Rediet is coming down with a cold. She could not sleep and neither could I so at 1 a.m. I came down to the dinning area and wrote all this down. She finally fell asleep around 3:00 a.m. or so and we all woke up around 6:30 a.m.