We made it to Addis Ababba, Ethiopia earlier today and everything went smoothly. All of our luggage made it which is incredible considering it traveled through 5 airports! Our driver was waiting for us and brought us to Ethiopian Guest Home where we are staying the week. The house itself is much nicer and more modern than the last guest house we stayed at when adopting Maya. The staff we have met so far have been so kind and very helpful. One thing interesting about Ethiopia is you never know who actually an employee and who is a friend helping out. Regardless, everything has been great. We have also met a large group from the States here on a mission trip and a family from Ireland. Both parties are very kind. We actually spent a few hours this afternoon on a excursion with the Ireland family.
We drove to the top of the mountain, Entota, where the Emperor first found Addis. Beautiful views of the city and an opportunity to see the first Church and palace of this area.
On the way up the mountain, we saw hundreds of women carrying wood down to sell at the market. There are over 15,000 of these women who walk all day, every day, many times carrying the equivalent of their body weight on their back for about $1/day. We then stopped at the Former Women’s Wood Carriers association which is a group that works to retrain these woman into new professions. We were introduced to this group during our last trip and having the opportunity to see so many of the carriers we made a return visit.
We got to see much of Addis Ababa during our drive, in fact driving right past the agency office that we used with Maya as well as the guest house we stayed at. The area looks different now as they just opened up the main road project that they have been working on since we were last there 2.5 years ago.
Unfortunately we did not have the opportunity to meet Makenna. Apparently the staff was having a meeting and therefore we have to wait until tomorrow. We are so anxious to meet her.
