favorite items from Ethiopia!

ORIGINALLY POSTED BY CHARISA ON FOR SUCH AS THESE

Below are some of my favorite items we brought back from Ethiopia on this trip. Shopping can be somewhat overwhelming! Lots of vendors, lots of items, and lots of haggling! I tend to pick out what I wanted and ran when the haggling came. I let the hubby handle that one—being he was the professional sales guy and all!

There were some items I didn’t get this time because I ran out of time/forgot or just plain couldn’t think. I will have a list of items to pick up next time (and as always more coffee!)

These pictures made out of banana leaves. There are pretty fragile and I was worried—but they made it back fine. There were lots of different scenes to choose from. We got those from the antiquities store in the big mercato.

Scarves. We bought lots of scarves for the girls and friends. The ones below came from the Former Women Wood Carriers Association. (I think that’s the formal name-I might have messed it up a bit) It’s at the bottom of Entoto Mountain.I asked and they said it takes about 2 hours to make on scarf. They had tons and they were beautiful.

One of the women carrying the wood down the mountain. From what I have read—they do this once a day for their own use and selling. They make about $3 from it. And it is HEAVY. and it is a STEEP mountain. Can’t imagine doing that every day.

We purchased some scarves from the Leprosy Hospital as well. These had a lot more elaborate designs and a sheen to them. They also had clothes there and table clothes.

One of my very faves. A basket made from the women at the Fistula Hospital. A very moving and humbling place to visit.

We just purchased the coffee set below from some random guy on the street. He kept following us and his price kept dropping—I finally told the hubby—“buy that!” And I am amazed we made it home without it breaking! We packed it with a bunch of our clothes in our carry-on.

Animals—we always bring animals home from the kids from our trips to Ethiopia and Zambia.

Of course, we need the coffee to go with that coffee set!

Some traditional clothing for our little man.

Some necklaces for the girls—there didn’t seem to be as much jewelry this time as the last time I was in Ethiopia.

They has these postcards all around. I wish I had bought more—they would be pretty in black frames in a grouping. Might put them on my list for next time!

Another fave—this is the story of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba on a canvas. They had quite a few of these and other pictures that were really neat in the antiquities shop as well. Not sure how I am going to hang it yet.

Close up of it.

And for Ab and Josh—their only request were soccer jerseys. Josh’s we paid too much money for and then found them cheaper and got Ab’s (first store only had adult sizes) and of course the sweatbands for Ab and his Mirinda.

What Was Court Like?

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY MAMA M:

This is a question I've gotten quite a few times since I've been back from our trip to Ethiopia. I thought it might be helpful for others who follow my intermittent blogging to have at least one perspective of what that day is like.

On December 23, we woke early and had another wonderful breakfast at our Guest House. Tsebaye's mom makes great buna, eggs, injera and some other oatmeal-type thing that I never got the name for. After breakfast, we gathered with the other families we were traveling with and waited in the courtyard for our van to come pick us up. I wore a dress I'd bought for D & K's wedding in Jamaica - it had a happy aura! I also wore a beautiful scarf that my dear friend T let me borrow. We all wanted to be sure that we were dressed in a way that would show our respect for the traditions of our children's heritage. Everyone looked bright and shiny!

Once the van arrived, the drive to the court building felt like it took forever. I think it was 30 minutes. We spent another 15-20 minutes standing on the sidewalk waiting for something, though I'm still not sure what. There is a lot of putting your trust/faith in others required on this journey :-). Then we headed into the building...and that's where it hit me.

The second my foot set down inside the courthouse, the emotions that must have been building inside of me the entire week just rushed to the surface. I couldn't breathe, the tears just came. It only lasted a few seconds, but the enormity of what we were about to do...what S's aunt was about to do if she had made it...it was all so overwhelming. Scott was amazing and helped me get centered enough to climb the three floors to the waiting area for the judge's chambers.

At first we lined the hallway...there were so many people there all the seats in the waiting room were full. This is when we started to look around and wonder if S's aunt had made it. We knew that it was a very real possibility that she wouldn't. Gambella is a 3-4 day journey away from Addis. It is not easy for these families to make the trip - financially or emotionally. I was braced for the disappointment that she wouldn't be there and we would miss the opportunity to meet her.

After about 20 minutes, we were able to file into the waiting room and find a seat. As I walked in, I couldn't look around. It seemed like the energy in the room was so conflicted - pain and heartache mixed with anticipation and joy. Then Scott told me to look across the room. I did. On the chair at the end of our row sat a beautiful, young (very young) woman with S's eyes...I knew it had to be her. It had to be S's aunt. This was confirmed when the judge's clerk called her into chambers along with the birth mother of a little boy whose family we'd gotten to know so well over the last few days. Then, so quickly, they came out and our names were called...we went into the chambers with the parents of little E. This was unexpected, to go in with another family but given the number of people waiting outside, I guess it was the only way to get everything done.

We sat in chairs across and next to the judge's desk. She was a lovely young woman with a soft voice. In a matter of 2-3 minutes she asked us just a few questions -
Judge: Do you have other children?
Us: Yes
Judge: Have you discussed the adoption with them?
Us: Yes
Judge: Do you understand that this adoption is permanent and cannot be undone?
Us: Yes
Judge: Congratulations
Us:
Well at that point, there were no words. My dear friend and I burst into tears...I still don't know why other than they just needed to come out. The dad's shook hands, and I think there was a man hug there too. We filed out into the waiting room and then into the hall (my tears felt inappropriate for that room). After a minute or two I was able to get control and stop crying. They were definitely tears of sadness for how S had arrived at this place in her life, for her aunt for the most difficult task she'd had to do in the two years she'd been caring for her, and also joy knowing that we would be here for S for the rest of her life - loving and supporting her.

The rest of the day was equally emotional, but that will have to wait for another post...here's another photo from our amazing trip.

Guest house review: Yebsabi & Ethiopia Guesthouse

From an IAN mom:

We have stayed at both the Yebsabi (Feb. 2010) and the Ethiopia Guesthouse
(Jan. 2011). I would choose the Yebsabi if I were to go again, but it is more
expensive.

Yebsabi: Super, super clean and the staff are very helpful. The food is
amazing-and a large variety. We stayed in the single room (smallest they have).
All rooms have private baths and we never had a problem with hot water! We
spent a lot of time downstairs in the lobby area talking with other families and
playing outside. We had a few days with power outages while we were there and
they always asked us if we needed the generator on for anything. Laundry
service is fine-our clothes were returned in one day. Programmable safes in
every room. They have a computer in the lobby with internet access. We were
able to skype in the lobby without problem.

Ethiopia Guesthouse: They have a nice grassy area for kids to play (well, maybe
not all of the buildings do, but ours did). I enjoyed the Ethiopian food there,
but not the western food that they made. Breakfast was minimal (plain oatmeal
one morning). There is one bathroom for the floor (sharing with 3/4 other
rooms). We were without water at times, and most of the time had no hot water.
No safe in the room. Small lobby area and they had toys for children. The staff
was very helpful. They also have computer in the lobby for use, and we were able
to skype without problem.

I would stay at both of these places again, it just depends on what you are
looking for!

Comfort items for your carry on bag, international flight packing list

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY DAISY J ON THE WAYFARER

I just returned from Australia. This is my fourth LONG flight trip in my life and I just can not seem to get it together for the comfort items needed for such a long flight. I have now created a list. So, thought I would share since many of you are about to take a long flight. :)

For more on packing lists and things for kids see the packing list post here.

But, now here is a list for comfort items.

• Empty water bottle, they will fill for you and it is really nice to get a sip whenever you want it. Kids too.
• whisp tooth brushes, these are those little one time use things you can put in your purse or lunch box. make sure everyone has one for there and home again. Invaluable.
• mini travel deodorant *
• body or facial wipes (baby wipes do the same for face, body and personal use)
• mini purell **
• mini lotion **
• mini tissues
• extra pair of underwear for there and home again
• comb or the fold up one with a mirror
• chap stick *
• breath mints or gum -sugar free-, also good for take off and landing
• energy bars for those in between flights with no snacks and the airport delays and lay overs and when the meal time is just off with your body schedule and you just can not wait. DO NOT take nuts, many countries do not allow the transfer of "seeds" and nuts falls into that category.
• pencil and paper for those little notes you just might forget
• u shaped neck pillow or something like that.
• carabeaners (metal clip) to clip pillow to bag during transfers
• your own ear buds the ones on the plane are not great.
• that flimsy cardboard/foam nail file (no clippers or mini pocket knives)

The items with a ** need to be put in a quart sized zip lock bag and scanned through security separately. I have not had any problem with any of these. The items with * are not a required item to be packed separately, but one security person did suggest that I include them in the bag, just in case..... whatever, not hard to do.

Ok anyone else want to add?

A Beautiful Walk

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY KELLY ON OUR JOURNEY TO THREE

A few weeks ago Steve and I watched an amazing documentary calledA Walk to Beautiful. It follows the journey of 5 Ethiopian woman who suffered horrific childbirth complications that resulted in them being shunned from their villages and forced to lives of shame and loneliness. When they hear about the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, they each decide to make the long journey to the capital city in hopes of regaining their dignity. The story is told through their eyes and with their voices.

While people in the US argue over natural vs. drugs vs. c-section, it's a reality check on how truly blessed we are here. It's really an interesting and eye opening (and yes, short) film that I'd highly recommend everyone see. It's on PBS occasionally, but we got it from the library.

Though the hospital has over a 90% success rate, there are some cases that require long-term care. These women are invited to live at Desta Mender (Village of Joy), a gorgeous 60-acre farm village at the foot of a mountain. There they are given not only treatment, but trained in a variety of income producing trades...from nurses aides, to gardening, to sewing, etc.

Recently Desta Mender created Juniper Cafe, an outdoor restaurant, where the women who were trained in cooking/catering serve lunch to convention meetings and visitors. Some other adoptive parents have said it's an amazing place and we definitely have it on our (growing) list of "must-dos"!

Guest house review: Ethio Comfort Guest House

From an IAN mom who traveled in October 2010:

We are planning on staying at the Ethio Comfort Guesthouse for our Nov. 22nd
court date. We just stayed there last month for a week and loved it. Plus, you
cant beat a decent sized room for $25/night. Since we are staying from court to
embassy, we get our room for $20 per night. This includes breakfast. They have
super hot water that never seems to run out, internet, a driver available at all
times, and you can book a room on the second or third floor with a BEAUTIFUL
balcony. When we were there, they were just opening a second brand new guest
house on the same street for the same prices I believe. Also, it is super quiet
at night. We never heard a thing.

World Heritage Sites within Ethiopia

Within Ethiopia there are eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, equal to or more than any other country in Africa. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) selects sites that are of special cultural or physical significance.

Below is a listing, by category, of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ethiopia with the dates that they were inscribed.

CULTURAL:

Askum, Tigray Region, 1980

The ruins of the city of Aksum, dating from the 1st to the 13th century, mark the heart of ancient Ethiopia and what was the "most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia". It includes monolithic obelisks, giant stelae, royal tombs, and ruins of former castles.

Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar, Amhara Region, 1979

The fortress was the residence of the Ethiopian emperors during the 16th and 17the century. The city remains, surrounded by a wall and featuring buildings with a Hindu and Arab influence, later transformed to a Baroque style by Jesuit missionaries.

Harar Jugol, Harari Region, 2006

The city is located on a plateau and surrounded by gorges and savanna. It contains 82 mosques, three from the 10th century, 102 shrines and exceptional interior design in the townhouses. It is said to be the fourth-holiest city of Islam.

Lower Valley of Awash, Afar Region, 1980

Palaentological findings from at least 4 million years ago, such as Lucy, give evidence of human evolution.

Lower Valley of Omo, Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's Region, 1980

The prehistoric site near Lake Turkana is the location of many fossil findings, such as Homo gracilis.

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Amhara Region, 1978

The site contains 11 medieval monolithic cave churches from the 13th century.

Tiya, Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's Region, 1980

The archaeological site contains 36 monuments, including 32 carved stelae covered with symbols.

NATURAL:

Simien National Park, Amhara Region, 1978

Massive erosion on the Ethiopian plateau has created a spectacular landscape of jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500 m.

Tips for your Ethiopia trip...

ORIGINALLY POSTED BY HEATHER ON TEN MORE TOES

I just finished a really good travellers guide about Ethiopia and recommend it to anybody going to pick up their sweethearts. It is from the Culture Smart series and written by Sarah Howard.

Here are just a few of the interesting facts and travel tips I have learned from this book:

* Half the estimated population of Ethiopia (77 million) is under 20 years old.
* Remember to use the right hand to eat the injera and wot. The left is considered unclean.
* Time follows the traditional Middle Eastern twelve hour clock. The hours start at dawn (6:00). So, twelve noon is 6:00 in Ethiopian time. Be sure to ask which time somebody is giving you for your major appointment or court date.
* It is also a good idea to leave a small piece of food left on your plate. This shows the host that you are graciously full.
* Buna bet or "coffee house" is not what you think. These are usually bars that might also have hotels and prostitutes.
* Ethiopians often greet each other with an embrace, then a kiss on each cheek, and then again on the first cheek.
* Children will walk up to nine miles a day to attend school.
* Orthodox Ethiopians will fast on Wednesdays and Fridays and during the holidays. Fasting means only having one meal a day, usually after 3:00 and abstaining from dairy and meat products. As many as 250 days a year can be kept as fast days.
* Swimming pools at the Hilton and Ghion hotels are heated by natural springs.
* Public latrines are so public, they are called "en plein air." Bring your own toilet paper.

Arriving in Ethiopia, visa, etc.

ORIGINALLY POSTED BY DAISY J ON THE WAYFARER

Hannah posted this on our group site. It is great info. I think a lot of it is scattered here and there on this blog, but this is more concise and therefore helpful. Thanks Hannah!

Here is the information we used when traveling (from KC and Jill K.) with notes added from us.

Get off the plane in Addis Ababa as quickly as possible and go right downstairs into the VISA line just to the right of the stairs. Have your passports and hotel/guest house address ready.
Visas cost $20.00 each in American Dollars, exact change, crisp bills, and bills newer than 2003 is appreciated and helps move the process along. (Note: If the VISA office is notified of the correct number of passengers arriving they will have enough people there to move the line. In our case they were not and there were 3 people to process several families. Though 3 sounds like a lot it is not as all 3 work on 1 VISA at a time and everything is hand written. When they saw it was taking quite a while they were so sweet to get my daughter and I chairs for us to sit.) There is a bathroom under the stairs, bring your own toilet paper. (Note: Traveling with small children I would try to go on the plane before de-boarding! )Get in line for immigration with all of your documents as soon as you leave the visa line. Stay in the middle line. The line to the left is for Diplomats and to the right is for Ethiopians.
(Note: There is a card to fill in for each person entering the country. We began to fill it out and then the lady at the window just finished it up for us. If you just go to the window maybe they will fill them out for you.)You can/should exchange money after you pass through the immigration station.
The bank has windows inside and outside of the immigration area. You will need your passport
number for this and any time you exchange money with a bank (Note: This was very relaxed and I think much better than trying to travel in country to exchange money. With 2 sick boys we were very glad we had exchanged our money here.)Keep your receipt (the bigger one that you sign) when you exchange money at the airport or you can't change birr back to US dollars when you leave or just leave
money as a donation. Do not exchange money on the street. Collect your luggage and put it on a free
cart. Decline help from the “porters” i.e. DO NOT let anyone bully you into
taking your bags and loading them on a cart, unless you are interested in help and willing to tip them. (Note: Declining is not a one time, "No thank you.", to put it mildly. We would not have minded tipping but on our return trip we were actually charged and it was a hefty price, per bag, even for US standards. If traveling alone you will need to use their services, just be prepared to pay. I think I remembered paying about $10 US it was a fixed price. It is per bag something like $3 per bag--not worth it in my opinion--JK). You may have to show your luggage ‘receipts’ from the airline to airport workers before they let you leave the area
with your bags. A customs agent (or someone) will ask you about declaring money before you leave the airport. Once outside the baggage area there will be a large number of people with signs to pick up guests. Find your driver (IAN staff should be picking you up to take you to your Guest House unless you have arranged otherwise. --JK) (Note: Our experience here was CRAZY, but unlikely to happen again, but next time we travel we will have our driver secured before travel.--H) Once you are at the hotel call the IAN staff to let them know. Confirm your return flights as soon as you arrive in Ethiopia or within a day or two. (You can do this at the Hilton Hotel--JK). Ask your hotel or guest home to help you do that.

Postcards from Addis

Entoto Mountain

ORIGINALLY POSTED BY HEATHER ON TEN MORE TOES

On our first trip to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, we plan on staying there about a week. It sounds like we'll be able to see our darling a few hours each day before we pass court. This will leave a big chunk of time to go sightseeing and learning as much as we can about our her country. While we wait (and wait), I thought I could start researching some of the places tourists end up in Addis. If you have been to any of these places, please feel free to add any comments. I'd love to hear your input!














At 10,827 feet above sea level, Entoto Mountain is the highest peak overlooking Addis Ababa. On top of the mountain is a village, an art gallery, and several beautiful churches. It was the location that Menelik II built his small palace when he founded Addis Ababa and is considered very sacred. Many come to the mountain for the healing waters and others to wait outside the church to pray when the bells chime.









In the small museum, there are many articles of great importance to Ethiopia. This would include the ceremonial dress of the king and queen, crowns, weapons, and the drum that announced the march of Adwa against Italian invasion.














The mountain is covered in eucalyptus trees and is sometimes referred to as the "lungs of Addis Ababa." It is a very important source of firewood and you can often see women carrying bundles of wood down to the city. While you are in Addis, you may want to ask to be taken to the Women Fuel Carriers Project and Sherameeda,which is a large market of weavers near the American Embassy. Purchases you make there will benefit the women trying to get out from under the burden of wood carrying.

Desta Mender - Daytrip from Addis

From Sara (an IAN mom that traveled in April 2010):

Just thought I would share a very special place that anyone would have time to visit while in Ethiopia. I think it's so important to get out of Addis as the majority of our kids don't come from the city, but the beautiful countryside.

The Hamlin Fistula Hospital has a community on the outskirts of the city where those with chronic, irreparable injuries can live and work. It's called Desta Mender. They have recently opened a restaurant there and all are encouraged to go on Saturdays and Sundays for lunch (and maybe other times, but I'm not sure!). They have really yummy meat pies (like Chicken pot pie) and quiches. All made with the veggies, etc... grown on their farm. The women also make handicrafts and you can buy them there, which make for meaningful souvenirs.

It is GORGEOUS and green farmland where they grow vegetables, have chickens, etc... You eat outside over looking a pond and pasture. It's a GREAT escape out of the pollution of Addis and I'm so glad I took my parents there to see something outside of the city. I just posted one pic of the area you overlook when you eat. A great place for the little ones to run around! And, the women there LOVE to see the kids.

It's really close to the city, and I imagine safe to go to even with the travel limitations of election time this summer.

I hope some of you go to check it out! Just tell your driver to take Ambo Road out of the city. In about 10-15 km, you will see a sign for Desta Mender on the left. You follow this road up and just tell the guards you are eating at 'Juniper Cafe'.

Churchill Street

From Sarah, an IAN mom, who traveled in January 2010:

I would HIGHLY recomment shopping on Churchill Street....we loved it and there
was a great selection...our cab driver stayed with us every time we went (they
are very good about doing this if you just asked) and were very helpful...it was
fun! Nathan went to the Mercado and loved the experience...if you want to go, he
said that it is way less crowded and crazy in the morning so that is what I
would suggest!

Immunizations and Staying Healthy in Country

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY DAISYJ ON THE WAYFARER

Immunizations

The Center for Disease Control provides tips on preparing to travel, safety while in country, staying healthy, travel warnings, immunizations for every age of person traveling, things to take with you, and other travel related tips and resources. I would suggest thoroughly checking out this site before you leave.

The immunizations they recommend are: Yellow Fever, Hep A and Hep B, Rabies, Typhoid, Meningitis and Polio along with regular updates for all immunizations. Malaria is only needed outside of Addis Ababa.

We got all of these and so did our two elementary aged daughters who traveled with us. We believe in immunizations. We have lived in a third world country and seeing what preventable diseases can do to a person, a community and a nation......... well, we believe in immunizations.

Staying Healthy in Country

I would recommend that you take for at least a week before going some sort of pro-biotic like Acidophiles tablets. They come in all sorts. A great form is the non refrigerated Pearl. You can get it at Walmart. We like the chewable ones at Kroger related stores for kids.You should continue to take this while you are there and after you come home for a time. Hey, why not just keep taking it, it's good for you anyway. :)


I would also suggest taking an immune booster like Airbornebefore you travel and while you are there. Take it every day. You will be exposed to many different virus' and you DON'T want to catch them.

If you have environmental allergies or asthma. The smog is horrendous. You will NEED your meds, any you can possibly take. Also take decongestant and a cough syrup like Delsym. Just take your antihistamine every single day.

Other medications I would suggest are: Scabies cream Permethrin 5%, Ring worm treatment Lotramin Ultra, Pure Tea Tree Oil for this also. Children's medications for cold and allergies. Pain meds and IcyHot for the new muscles you will develop carrying around your new child.

If you can manage this, I would suggest taking a water purifierwith you. REI sells a ultraviolet light SteriPen which is awesome. You just stick it in the jug for a certain amount of time and wa-la you have pure water. We used that and it was great. Or you can buy water. Drink LOTS of water.

For altitude: We have always lived over 6000 feet, so the altitude did not bother us. But, for many of our guests we have learned some great tips. In order to thin your blood and thereforeneed less oxygen you should take an Aspirin each day (like Bayer's not Advil). In order to help your blood absorb more oxygen you should take several Tums or Rolaids each day. Avoid as much caffeine as possible (yeah right, tired parents need their caffeine, plus the great Ethiopian coffee), well balance it with more water than you would ordinarily drink, hence that SteriPen. You will feel better and function better and not be as tired.

SNNPR and Sidama

SNNPR stands for Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region. It is located in the southwestern corner of Ethiopia. Awasa (also spelled Awassa or Hawassa) is the capital. This link is for the SNNPR's tourism bureau.

the SNNPR flag

SNNPR in red

Sidama is one of the zones within SNNPR and where many IAN children come from. Awasa is also the capital of Sidama.

the Sidama flag

I recently found this website specifically about Sidama. There are beautiful pictures and interesting info like the fact that those in Sidama have a unique New Years festival called Fiche. I highly recommend reading (or printing and reading) the magazine at the bottom of the homepage.

This site has some information about Sidama's religion, politics, economy, etc.

This blog post has some interesting folklore about the Sidama region.

The map below details the SNNPR area of Ethiopia. Sidama is the light grey area on the right side of the map.

Ethiopia Travel Resources

Travel Books:

• Ethiopia & Eritrea, Lonely Planet Travel Guide
• Ethiopia, Bradt Travel Guide
• Ethiopia - Culture Smart!

Language Books:

• Ethiopian Amharic, Lonely Planet Phrasebook
• Our First Amharic Words
• Simple Amharic for Adoptive Families

Travel Websites:

• Ministry of Culture and Tourism
• US Department of State
• Lonely Planet
• Wikitravel
• Virtual Tourist
• Africa Guide

Travel Forums/Community Websites:

• Thorn Tree
• Fodor's
• Virtual Tourist

Language Websites:

• Amharic Dictionary

Please leave a comment if there are any other Ethiopia travel-related resources you can think of. Thanks!

What to do, where to shop, what to buy in Ethiopia

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY DAISYJ ON THE WAYFARER

I was asked this question and they liked my answer so much that I thought that maybe it would be good to actually do a list on this. Ok, I love lists, call me crazy. I can't import an excel spreadsheet here or i would. Here are my thoughts on shopping, buying and what to do while on your adoption trip to Ethiopia. Keep in mind we were there for 2 weeks and traveled with our two older daughters 9, 10 to pick up our two sons, at the time they were both 3. We stayed at a guest house and it was at the beginning of the new ban on going out in public with your kids. In order to get out you may like to take turns going places like shopping and museums. We did this and are very happy we did because otherwise we would not have gotten to see so much of our kids heritage and culture.

Q. Do you have anywhere that you recommend going or seeing while
there? This can be anything! Restaurants, shopping, extended trips
outside of Addis Ababa.

WE WOULD RECOMMEND FOR SHOPPING THE HAILE SELASE MARKET. IT IS FIXED
PRICE HAS GREAT SELECTION AND IS REASONABLE IN COST. NEAR THERE IS A
HANDICRAFT STORE AND IT IS ALSO REASONABLE and HAS A TON OF REALLY COOL
STUFF, hand painted and carved mancala boards, beads, bells, carved boxes, drums, stringed instruments, etc........ We would recommend this as opposed to a mall or market. Many families only have one day to shop and this is a great one stop shop for all sorts of stuff. The mall is very expensive, the market is all barter and as we did go to one and bartered down to what seemed like a lot and they really would not go down more, we paid much less at Haile Selasse fixed price market and their stuff was better in my opinion. Larger selection too, and they let you shop instead of pressuring you to buy what they hope you will get. At Haile Selasse market we saw that they had: baskets, clothes and linens, books, jewlery, wooden and metal crosses, wool and wire animals, wooden animals, etc..... Go to a grocery store on the way to somewhere, you can buy coffee at any grocery, harrar is the variety you are looking for. You can also buy some snacks and fruit to take to the orphanage and to the guest house to eat. Our boys could not eat enough bananas and milk, so I kept going out for those things.

BE SURE TO GO TO ENTOTO. THERE IS A LARGE ORTHODOX CHURCH THERE AND IT
IS GREAT TO TAKE PHOTOS OF, YOU CAN ALSO TOUR THE FIRST HOME OF
MENALIK 2. There is also a museum in the cost of seeing the palace. It is not very big or interesting, but see it, you pay for it with the emperor's home cost. It was about 20 birr each. They let the boys in free. The view of Addis is amazing if the day is clear, so we heard and can believe it. But it was cloudy and fog enshrouded the day we were there. In my opinion it made it all the more wondrous with the mist and the chants from the church and the old barren buildings of the Emperor's first home. It was awesome!!!! THE DRIVE THERE REALLY LETS YOU SEE ADDIS AND THE COUNTRY SIDE AND HOW PEOPLE LIVE. WHILE YOU ARE OVER THERE GO TO THE WEAVERS MARKET OF THE LEPER COLONY. NO YOU WON'T CATCH IT. BUT THEY DO WEAVINGS TO SELF SUPPORT AND THEY HAVE THE BEST VARIETY AND GOOD QUALITY. YOU CAN GET CLOTHING AND LINENS HERE. If you can make it it is better than Haile Selase market for clothes and linens. You don't have to tour, you can just go to the store. I think it was fixed price too. You can go to Entoto together as it is "out of town".

WE ALSO WENT TO WALISOU (spelling?) HOT SPRINGS. There are a few different hot springs but this was reported to be the nicest, it is called walisou so if you need to ask about it and they don't know where the "hot springs" is tell them walisou resort. IT IS WELL WORTH THE TRIP. A 2 HOUR DRIVE ONE WAY. Get a private driver in a van so you can spread out if there are more than 3 of you. I think all day the driver and van cost us 80 birr. THEN YOU GO TO THIS really neat RESORT AND THEY HAVE A
REALLY NICE RESTAURANT AND HOTEL AND YOU CAN SWIM IN THE WARM WATER
POOL. THEY CHANGE THE WATER ON THURSDAYS SO THAT IS A GOOD DAY TO GO
BUT THE POOL WILL HALF FULL. FRI -SUN IT FULL OF water and UPPER CLASS FROM THE CITY AND NOT A GOOD IDEA FOR YOU TO GO WITH YOUR KIDS DUE TO THE NEW
RULES. BUT GREAT DURING THE WEEK. GOOD TRIP TO SEE THE COUNTRY AND
TRADITIONAL LIVING. They have monkeys there on site too. A really charming resort area. The town is very typical and poor. The contrast is truly remarkable and moving. A note on swimming. Ethiopian kids are not familiar with swimming and modesty is a big deal. So, taking off their shirts and "bathing" with a bunch of people may be a bit more than some of them can handle. Ours were freaked out by this and it took a good hour to get them to just try it. Then it was fun, sort of. This is also "out of town" so you can go together.
>
IF YOU CAN MAKE A MUSEUM TRIP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM IS THE BEST
(PHOTOS OK). This is where they have the throne of Haile selasse and the remains of Lucy and some other archaeological items of interest.ETHNOGRAPHIC Museum IS NEXT BEST (NO PHOTOS). Here they have a collection of money, musical instruments, religious paintings and a bit on several of the tribal groups. It is really interesting, especially the main floor. The grounds are a University and it is a very nice place to walk around too. You can take a tour of each with a guide or do it yourself. We suggest the guide. This is one of those things you take turns doing because you can't take your kids, and having taken them to one just before the rule, you don't really WANT to. :)

TAKE A CAR TOUR OF THE CITY AND TAKE PHOTOS OF ALL THE BIG MONUMENTS. This you can do together, just don't let your kids out of the car. Get a van if you have many of you, it is more comfortable for the long drive. The city is so diverse, you can see so much. Even if you get to drive through Merkato, that is an experience worth doing. Get photos of the Lion Of Judah, the stadium, the millennium plaza, etc.... Your driver will know where to take you.

Q. What do you wish you had bought? Or are REALLY glad you did?

we bought outfits for the boys in 3 sizes. We also bought a
wooden carved box and filled it with little things that represent
their country. (carved lion, bumper sticker that says Lion of Judah, bell, zebra, giraffe, drum, cross). I wish we had brought home a medium injera
basket. For gifts we highly recommend small carved animals, the carved
giraffes, the metal and wooden crosses as larger items and jewelry and
the wire and wool animals. We did not get enough. Small baskets make nice gift boxes for these items. I wish we had bought some of the wooden crosses and more metal ones and more giraffes. We bought a lot of coffee and that is good, but not enough. Harrar is the variety you are looking for. You can get it in the grocery and shops. We also bought hand carved and painted mancala boards, popular game but called something else, at the handicraft store you
can buy pretty painted ones. Your boys or girls may have played this game and
may be good at it and like to play together and teach you. You buy the
beads separately and you can pick. We HIGHLY recommend the Haile
Selasse market it is fixed prices but they were better than the market
variety stores on prices and variety. It is also one stop shopping if
you need that. We also went to the Christian book store and bought
some books in English and Amharic, wish we got more, and wished we had
found a kids cd, they do have them but are not plentiful. Some of the other things we bought are:
Bible, t shirts, bumper stickers, egg basket ( I collect them ), folding stool, dresses for the girls, table runner and napkins (my onespontaneous buy which I questioned myself for and am VERY happy I did buy it), jewelry, carved wooden animals, metal crosses, small baskets for gift boxes for some gifts, wire wool animals, books of stories, music one Christian Ethiopian praise and worship, one secular "Abugida", traditional (I LOVE Ethiopian music!), kids stories from the Bible, coffee, some snacks, cinnamon tea, ginger tea, hibiscus tea, black tea. We bought the boys each a soccer ball. A real one, not a blow up one; Decorative dolls, shawls.

You can go to the Leper colony near Entoto. They have a weaving business and shop there. The variety is best in the city and best cost, plus it goes to help them survive, a good cause! Think shirts, linens, shawls, etc..

A note on shopping from Matt (IAN parent):
The DVD's that are sold in front of the Friendship Mall for 20 Birr ($1.50) work at home. :) In case you want to add to your New Release collection.
- If you need to buy something and you think your getting ripped off have someone at your guest house who is Ethiopian buy it for you. I needed a 4GB USB Flash Drive and they were quoting be 1500 Birr ($120). I knew that was ridiculous. Yonathon went up there and got it for 450 Birr ($35). Sometimes they have a pause when you ask the price, when they do that just walk away.
- The restaurant LimeTree has a great pizza... and the ladies seemed to love the Lentil Soup there as well.This is all I can think of right now.

Cultural Sensitivity While in Ethiopia

This was published in October of 2008 by the Joint Council on International Children's Services (JCICS).

From jcics.org:

Every adoption is like a rollercoaster for the adoptive parents. There are always obstacles to overcome and hoops to jump through. But in every adoption there are also many highs. For most adoptive parents the biggest high is finally being able to travel, meet the child whose photo you fell in love with long ago, and holding them in your arms. It is the moment that every adoptive parent longs for and dreams of. Adoptive parents want to spend every moment with their new child, learning every little piece of their personality and spirit. Adoptive parents want to show their new child(ren) everything that the world has to offer them. This being said sometimes it is necessary for an adoptive family to be respectful of a country’s local culture and hold off these magical moments for a few days. Joint Council feels that this is the case in Ethiopia...

...The large number of adoptive families combined with the curiosity and suspicions of Ethiopian citizens and with cultural differences in parenting and child behavior, is unfortunately causing unintended yet very significant concerns among some Ethiopian citizens and the government.

Please click here to read the whole cultural sensitivity document.

Travel Tips: Part 2

Ideas for donations for Sele Enat:

• Generic ibuprofen or Advil for the nannies
• School supplies
• Toddler clothing
• Kids DVDs

Ideas for donations for the care center:

• Baby soap, baby shampoo, lotion and hand sanitizer are used alot and hard to come by in Ethiopia
• Selsun Blue to help control ringworm
• Toddler clothing
• Fresh fruit bought in Ethiopia

Pollution:

• Bring a scarf to cover your nose and mouth while driving when the pollution seems worst.
• Pack over-the-counter allergy medicines to potentially take daily

Over-the-counter medicines:

• Allergy medicine to help with pollution
• Motion sickness medicine (Dramamine) for stop/start, jerky car rides

Please leave other travel tips you think of in the comments. Thank you!

Postcards from Sidamo