Greetings. Tough night…but we made it through. Little man woke up in a screaming fit in the middle of the night. Lasted only about 45 minutes, but it was full on screaming. Do you think children from other cultures cry differently?? They most definitely do. When he cries it sounds like “Eye-yi-yi, Eye-yi-yi, Eye-yi-yi.” I thought perhaps he was calling the name of a favorite nanny….but I asked and there is no one at Layla with a name even remotely similar. I asked if it was maybe an Amharic word. Nope not even that. So, we concluded it was the Ethiopian baby cry. The night was over for me and I laid awake contemplating what action I would take in the morning if the water was still off. It has been off twice in the past 24 hours for several hours each time. So when the 5 a.m. call to prayer arrived I had barely drifted off to sleep. Oh…ya, did I mention that there is a mosque somewhere in the vicinity and every morning at 5 a.m. and periodically through the day, there is a very loud “call to prayer” which is basically some muslim dude hollering (chanting, really) for 10 to 15 minutes straight.
At 8:15 we got picked up by the gal who runs Layla and we drove across town to the U.S. Embassy. It was a long, erratic drive, but we drove from one side of Addis to the other and saw some amazing things. Many, many heartbreaking things. Wow, not even sure I can describe the poverty. Our poorest people are kings compared to these people. I saw people living in rubble, not shacks, rubble. I saw people herding goats down sidewalks in the middle of town. I saw a man leading a huge brama bull over a bridge and through traffic. I saw the palace of Haille Selasie, the last king of Ethiopia, a direct decendent of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. There was a man peeing on the street and another naked man just propped in the dirt against a filthy wall. Then there is the smell. I can’t describe the smell. Perhaps something like dirt, animals, diesel fuel, and human waste. Horrible. Truly horrible. Then we arrived at the U.S. Embassy. Easy appointment. A couple of questions, an oath, a stamp and then back on the road to the Guest House.
Greer is sick with a bad cold and ear infections. We took him back to Layla and the Dr. there put him on antibiotics. I feel like crap. Something between the ride back and forth across town, lack of food, dehydration and no sleep. We had intended to head over to the Hilton to use their internet and have lunch, but our driver never showed up.
We headed out for dinner tonight with several families staying here who arrived today. We are the only ones here taking our guy home. They are all here for their Court dates. Great people. One couple in our group have over 20 adopted children, many of them special needs. They are adopting again and their new daughter is in a wheel chair. Their 18 month old son, recently adopted from the states has Spina Bifida. They have children from the U.S., China, Vietnam, South Africa, and many, many from Ethiopia. Amazing people.
For now I will sign off, with the hopes of actually posting to the blog soon. Grayson, we miss you more than all the tea in China. Hope you are having a great time with BB and Papa Joe. Love you baby and we will see you very soon. For my folks…hope you are well! I think of you every day and wish we could find an easy way to call. Can’t wait to introduce you to the little man (who is singing songs from his crib and refusing to go to sleep or even lay down). BB and Papa Joe, thank you for taking care of our precious G. We can’t wait to get home and see you.
Good night!! See you all soon.
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