After stalking blogs for the past eight months of our adoption process, I sort of knew what to expect to see in Ethiopia. In other words, there weren't too many surprises.
We saw the sadness and devastation of too many people, not enough jobs, and diseases without health care. We saw crazy construction, even crazier traffic (Belay said the traffic laws are merely suggestions!), horrible air pollution, goats along the highways, donkeys used for labor, mothers begging in the streets, children begging in the streets, homeless, lame, and crippled. We took our fruit snacks to distribute to those on the streets and sidewalks, but I almost felt guilty handing a mother with her hungry little baby one small package of fruit snacks. I knew what to expect, but it was still hard!

We had a wonderful driver--I think all of Gladney's drivers are wonderful! Eyasu(sp?) was ours. He wasn't a tour guide, but I knew he was watching out for us at all times. I could tell he enjoyed Faven and Diborah and was willing to help out with them when needed. He was even very patient and kind when Faven vomitted ALL OVER his back seat only minutes before we had to stop and change a flat tire. John, Kayla and I really liked Eyasu.

We stayed at a wonderful guest house as I have mentioned before. I read alot about Ayat House in other blogs and was thankful we were able to stay there. From Wagayu and Zimmet, I learned that I like having my bed made daily, coffee prepared for me each morning, my clothes washed, dried, AND ironed (yes, even our underwear and socks got ironed!), and a familiar face to go back to at the end of the day. Ayat House is within walking distance of the Gladney foster homes. We were also able to walk to a nearby restaurant which had delicious fruit smoothies for the girls and a playground.

In Ethiopia, we learned... how to bargain at the marketplace, not to count on internet service (we tried the Hilton daily but internet was down the entire time we were there), not to count on having electricity, not to let the guys/paparazzi at the zoo take your pictures unless you want to pay $2.00 per picture, Faven and Diborah are afraid of ALL animals (lions, cats, dogs, monkeys), spider monkeys that roam free at the zoo like Fanta soda (one tried to steal Kayla's!), we don't need more than 3 outfits, and we like eating with our hands.

However, our most valuable experiences in Ethiopia included meeting our daughters(obviously!), meeting our daughters' birthmom, and visiting the children at the orphanages, most of whom do not have forever families. We were able to visit Kolfe, Kechene and Kebebetsehay. These children are special. They are beautiful and funny and smart. They have had to deal with unspeakable experiences in their lives--experiences that we can't even imagine having to deal with. It is so overwhelming! Yet, they still have a smile for their visitors. They each deserve a family just like Faven and Diborah...just like Kayla, Nathan, Derek and Emma. They deserve parents who will love them and will give them food and clothes and hugs....
I would encourage anyone traveling to Ethiopia to visit these children. Spend some time talking to them and giving them hugs! They love visitors (and they love pictures!)!

I will forever cherish the time I got to spend with Faven and Diborah's birthmom. I will share more about that in another post.