Day 8 in Ethiopia (Lori)

Addis Ababa

Day 8

We started our morning at Elmos Hotel, with a nice breakfast. I had French toast and scrambled eggs. We then gathered up our stuff for the day and headed out. 

 

We drove about an hour to Daniel's Grandma's house, where a lot of the family was waiting for us. There were people waiting to greet us everywhere. As we entered, we were each given a red rose and a yellow rose. The floor was sprinkled with palm fronds. It looked really pretty. On the wall was a 3ftx4ft family picture from the night before Allison's wedding. We were served home made bread (Difo Dabo), popcorn, and they had a coffee ceremony for us. We were introduced to so many relatives. 

 

Everyone was excited to meet Daniel. We talked for a while then went out to play with soccer balls. Daniel was having a great time with all the kids. After a while we were called back inside to talk some more. 

 

Some of Daniel's uncles drive budgets (3 wheel taxi's) so they loaded us up, and took us for a ride. We got to see a little bit of the area. They went to the new train ststion and wanted to take a group picture. There was a police man up there and he told us no. They kept asking and he said make it fast and get out of here. I will get in trouble. We then took the budget back to the grandma's house. 

 

Daniel's Birth Mom and family took all of us to the restaurant next door to their house. We ordered our drinks and that's about his far we got before a drunk man approached me. He came over dancing and took my hands and tried to get me up. He was told and to go sit down. He approached me a few times, then carried a chair over to sit next to me. Again he was told no. There were several tables of family, so they took him over to sit with the uncles. He was still watching me and blowing me kisses. I asked Tom if he was jealous, he said do you plan to stay in Ethiopia? I said no, he said well then I am not jealous. He got some laughs. During our lunch of injera, cooked beef, and raw beef, he started to approach me again, this time Daniel's grandma told him, if he didn't leave me alone, she was going to kick him. He was finally escorted out and held while they tried to collect the money for his bill. We had a great lunch with some really nice people. Our family has grown again. While at the restaurant I asked Yonas if there was anywhere I could use the restroom. He asked Daniel's Birth Mom Tina, to check the restroom to make sure it was alright for me to use and to walk me back there. She went back and spent time cleaning the bathroom and then came to get me. That was embarrassing enough because I could have used it. As I leave to go to the bathroom the driver asks if I have Tissues (no toilet paper), I say no and he runs out of the restaurant to his van to bring me tissues. The bathroom was a squatty potty. 

 

After lunch we went to Daniel's Grandma's house. This time on top of the palm fronds was rose petals scattered about. We all sat and talked. We brought in our gifts and donations. Daniel gave his Grandma a locket with his picture in it, a photo book of his pictures from adoption until now, and a blanket made by Nana. He then gave his Birth Mom a blanket made by Nana and a Collierville Dragons Lacrosse sweatshirt with his name and number on it. He was wearing his today so they matched. They dumped out all of our donations on the bed so grandma could decide who gets what. We then went outside for group pictures. We said our good byes and were heading to the van, when one of Daniel's uncles asked for his lacrosse sweatshirt. So Daniel started to take it off his back and give it to him. His Grandma, came up shaking a first at him and told Daniel not to take it off. I told her it was fine and Daniel gave him his sweatshirt. 

 

Everyone who knows Daniel, knows he loves dogs. There was a new puppy tied up in the compound that his family lives in. When we were outside Daniel was playing with the and petting it. The grandma said she didn't think anyone ever touched it. As we were leaving Daniel was petting the dog, picked up the dog, and gave it a kiss. You should have heard the gasps from the family. Most dogs in Ethiopia are not house pets. 

 

We then went by the area where Daniel was born. It was behind the yellowish/gold gate in a picture to follow. We then drove to Daniel's Birth Moms house. As we were getting out of the van it started raining. By the time we got to her house it was pouring down rain. We entered her house and there were palm fronds and rose petals scattered on her floor. She had a 3ftx4ft lacrosse picture of Daniel hanging on her wall. She had a coffee ceremony, kola, and cookies prepared for us. We all sat around and talked. We then said our good byes and see you tomorrow. 

 

Yonas took us to his house for dinner and to meet his family. We had samosas, and many Ethiopian dishes, coffee ceremony, and avocado juice. We loved meeting his family and playing with his kids. I introduced them to punch balls. They were having a great time playing with them. Daniel took the youngest out and they were playing soccer. You may remember from a previous post, Daniel won at arm wrestling with one of his uncles, tonight he beat Mr. Gold our driver, but was beaten in arm wrestling by Yonas. We greatly enjoyed meeting his family. He sent us home with some fresh bags of berber and another spice.

There was a lot of standing water, from the rain, on the way home. There was a good amount of traffic. You would not believe the narrow lane between cars that Mr Gold drove to get us to our hotel. I told him that he gets driver on the year. 

 

We have now back at our hotel, reflecting on what a perfect day, well, maybe other than the drunk guy hitting on me.