Ethiopia: Days 1-5

Things continue to go really well here - we keep living so many blog-worthy moments around here, but I feel like I need to back-track a little and do some Ethiopia trip highlights before my memory starts to fade. It was an amazing trip - one that's changed me forever - and I certainly don't have the words, the time, or the energy right now to capture it fully - I wish I could've taken you all with me...but, here's a little glimpse...

Wednesday morning, July 1st, heading out - the suitcases are for us and Yonas and the two duffels are donations...

Thursday, July 2nd, flying over northern Africa...absolutely breathtaking...

After about 32 hrs. of travel time, we arrived Thursday night at around 7 pm at the airport, but didn't exit visa/customs/immigration/baggage, etc. until 10:30-ish. The longest airport lines ever...even for the seasoned travelers we met that night. But we made it - Friday, July 3rd, we woke up in the guesthouse - our room was the one with the balcony...

Our room - A5 - had its own bathroom, one double bed, one twin bed, and one toddler bed...

Our view from the guesthouse - you can see the salmon-colored care center where all of our kids were - in the left/center of the picture...

And then Friday morning, practically shaking with nerves, excitement, and anticipation, we finally met our son. He sat and colored with us for about 30 minutes. I think that's the longest he's sat since we met... :)

Saturday, July 4th, we met with Yonas' nanny (on the left), his social worker (right), the doctor, and the journalist that documented his birth history. We were able to watch his birth history video during this meeting as well as ask tons of questions to the people who've been caring and loving on him for the past 6 mo. Such a priceless opportunity - our agency is truly amazing. That's me, the mom, in the middle... :)

Then we took the afternoon to go shopping here...it was like a shopping spree. We only had 1 1/2 hrs. and had to barter too! Whew!

Sunday, July 5 th, we woke up to no electricity (which was true about 75 % of the time), no water (which we usually had water - maybe not hot, but water), and no plumbing...and had to be up and going and in the bus at 5:45 am to travel 4 hrs. south to Hossana for birth family meetings....so worth it - it was a once-in-a-lifetime...

We got back to the guesthouse at about 5 pm that evening. All a little heavy, somber, drained, and yet thankful...for the most amazingly beautiful, yet heart-wrenchingly painful experience of meeting and forever bonding with those who loved our children first.