Monday, January 11, 2010

We had a great day yesterday.  We went back to the orphanage twice.  The first time was to visit, the second time was to tie up some loose ends on US Immigration paperwork.  While we were in the office doing that, we got to see Gabe's passport.  It is hysterical.  He is clearly screaming at the camera and his bottom 2 teeth (he only has one on the top) are about all you see in the photo. 
 
Gabe visited the room where he spent the last few months of his time in Ethiopia yesterday and handled it extremely well.  He was a bit confused, but preferred Michelle to the caregivers, a true blessing.  It was clear that he enjoyed the visit there yesterday, it was wonderful to see the joy that it brought to his eyes when he saw his caregivers and his old roomies.
 
Between trips yesterday, we went to a grocery store and pharmacy to purchase some necessities for the Orphanage.  We asked them for a list of things they needed and the head of the orphanage went to his room and asked the caregivers for any specific needs for his old room.  We plan to do this a couple of times more while we're here.  We'd like to leave them with a monetary donation, but are still investigating whether or not that is Kosher. 
 
Another highlight from yesterday was the currency exchange from Dollars to Ethiopian Birr.  Rather than a bank, our driver took us to a "black market" and got us a better rate.  When we parked the car, he asked us to stay in the car, roll up the windows, and lock the doors.  "This is not a very nice area of Addis," he said.
 
 
Today, we plan to go out to lunch and then to the Market which is alleged to be the largest market in all of Africa. 
 
As you may know, the African Futbol Cup is currently under way and it is a HUGE deal here.
 
Hopefully more later.

3 comments:

Karen Sarbacker said...

I'm so glad everything is going well. Can hardly wait to meet the new member of the family!

kitzkazventure said...

I love adoption stories! People that have blessings the old fasioned way have such boring stories to tell when their kids get older....I mean how much fun will it be to re-tell your Kazakh and Ethiopian adventures to them as they grow up. So much spice and culture! :) So glad to hear that bonding is going well. Always a big plus before the airplane ride! :) Enjoy your days in-country....I thought about you all today when I drove by Sav's grill....the first time we tried that yummo food was at Crossroads for your adoption celebration and talk about your journeys! So cool!

Unknown said...

I'm on the edge of my seat, choking back the tears. Thank you for posting these updates!