Book - Page 8 & 9

 The first thing on our agenda was to meet Aiden Yohannes.  Fasika and Donny (Gladney’s social workers) came with us.  Donny was the social worker who had done all of Aiden’s background work.  They took us to Hilawe to meet Aiden.  Fasika told us about six times on the way over how extremely shy he was, that he sometimes even refused her.  He did cry and wanted his caregiver.  However, eventually, he let me hold him and I fed him a bowl of noodles.  He somewhat handed Ian a toy.  When we got back in the van, I was terrified Fasika would think it didn’t go well.  Instead she said, “That went better than I expected.”  Well, okay, then.  Due to the fact that we hadn’t officially adopted Aiden yet, we weren’t allowed to take pictures on this first visit.  

This is the restaurant where we ate lunch, Top View.  It was yummy – one of our favorites.

 Solomon, our driver, decided we should celebrate our visit with Aiden going so weel with his favorite drink – Macchiatos.  Everyone but Ian really liked them.  That’s saying a whole lot – even the smell of coffee makes me gag!

This is the outside of the Holy Trinity Church.  It is the highest ranking Orthodox cathedral in Addis.  We weren’t allowed to take pictures inside.  We had to take off our shoes before entering.  Alexa, as usual, was not wearing socks.  She knew it was disrespectful to not take off her shoes.  However, she tried to argue that having a dad or brother carry her around the cathedral would be fine.  Let’s just say she kept socks in her bag the rest of the week!

Book - Page 6 & 7

The first thing we did upon arrival was crash!  We do not even remember Wednesday; it was all a blur.

 At the guesthouse after our nap, waiting on our driver to come take us to dinner.

Our driver, knowing our exhaustion, took us to an “American” restaurant – Garden Paradise.  It was a gentle break into Ethiopian cuisine.  This is Alexa’s dinner,  Chick-fil-a Ethiopian style.

Apparently, Ian’s nap wasn’t long enough.  He fell asleep in the van on the way back to the guesthouse after dinner.  Solomon, our driver, made fun of him for the rest of the week for falling asleep!

Due to our short notice, we had difficulty finding a room for our 10 day stay.  Apparently, most people do not travel to Africa with 5 people.  Our guesthouse was gracious enough to make room for us but we had to move rooms several times.  The first night Alexa, Ian and I slept in one room in the main house.  Ryan and Owen slept in the servant’s quarters.  It was a nice room with bunk beds but was behind the house just a bit.  The bedroom the kids and I were in, had a sticky door.  The morning we were to go to meet Yohannes for the first time, we couldn’t get out of the door!  I just knew we were going to be extremely late.  We were locked in for nearly an hour.  Ryan’s phone couldn’t get reception in their room so we were trapped.   This picture shows Alexa and Ian’s way of “getting help”.  Thankfully, I finally got it opened and they fixed it so it didn’t happen again.  Nothing like an adventurous start to the first day!

Book - Page 4 & 5

Alexa proving she can “sleep anywhere.” The kids somewhat enjoyed the first 8 hours – playing cards, watching movies, etc. After that, they were ready to get off!

We literally rode into the sunrise. We landed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at 7:45 AM on Wednesday, November 13. The flight time was 13 hours and 30 minutes.

Africa from the plane looked like a beautiful patchwork quilt.

Ethiopian Air: They fed us so many times we lost count of what meal it was supposed to be. They had a blanket, eye mask, socks, toothbrush and headphones in each seat. We felt like royalty!

After the harrowing experience of getting off the plane and finding our driver, we made it to where we were staying – The Bethel Guesthouse. It is in a neighborhood directly in Addis. Our driver beeped and the guard came and opened the gate door.

After unloading and making it inside, it began pouring rain. We had no idea what that pounding sound was! All the people who worked at the guesthouse were so shocked. Apparently, it very rarely rains outside of the rainy season. This our view from the surrounding sides of the guesthouse.

Book Page 2 & 3

4:OO AM – We are heading to the airport!

We got to the airport at 4:30 AM. We had 8 bags and 5 carry ons. Everyone had their backpack and a couple of suitcases to drag along!

Saying goodbye to Aiden’s bag for its first trip. This trip, it was filled with humanitarian aid for the government orphanages. Next trip, it will be filled with clothes and supplies needed for Aiden’s homecoming!

Ian taking “Emily” through her favorite part – security!

Owen and “Emily” on our first flight. We had to fly from RDU to the Dulles/Washington airport. We left RDU at 6:00AM and were in DC by 7:30 AM.

Taking the shuttle in DC to our next gate to get ready for the “big” one. Our flight left DC at 10:15 AM.

Our first meal with Ethiopian Air. The meals going were much better than the meals on the return flight home.

The monitor was very cool. It told us how many miles, the time, the elevation, etc. We were all a bit obsessed with them.