Well, I've been back for over a week and am still thinking about the amazing trip.
The quick version goes something like this: 7 days in Addis Ababa (the capital) and time spent at the orphanage and seeing the sites with the new niece, nephew and my brother and his wife.
The 'family' on a walk up the road on the Entoto Mountains outside of Addis Ababa.
We flew to a northern town, Gondar, and spent 3 days there exploring. We did some treking in the Simien Mountains, saw baboons in the wild, and had our first outdoor experience in the rainy season :) .
We hiked in the Simien Mountains- not what you thought you'd find in Ethiopia, is it?!?
A bleeding heart baboon we saw on the mountain tops. Interestingly enough, it isn't even in the baboon family! It's it's own species of monkey! Some misc. trivia for you.
We then drove southwest to a town by the name of Bahir Dar (this is where the kids are from). We spent three days here visiting some family, seeing the Blue Nile Falls (one of the 7 wonders of the world) and boating on Lake Tana (the beginning of the Blue Nile River).
Me and the Blue Nile Falls- the falls are less spectacular then they once were due to a dam being put in place to redirect water for an energy source in the area.
A papyrus boat on Lake Tana- the first form of kayaking perhaps?!??! :)
We then returned to Addis Ababa by plane and spent one more day before returning to the states, with a party of 5 instead of 3!
Food: I really enjoyed the food - I was craving it this week! Thankfully, Denver has several Ethiopian restaurants, and I was able to fulfill my craving before returning to Alaska.
Food is served on a large (roughly 24 inches diameter), sourdough pancake/crepe. The different dishes are put on top of the injera, and is eaten by tearing off pieces of injera and 'scooping' up the dish of choice. No silverware is involved, and it's appropriate for the hand that is be eaten with to get greasy and messy in the process. The food is flavorful and they use many spices- a spice combination called burberry is used in many dishes. They use a lot of lentils and beans, and meat to make the many similar dishes. Don't be surprised to find tongue on the menu, that is considered part of the fasting food dishes (vegetarian dishes) that are consumed :)
Family: Wow. How do I describe the emotions, the learning, the excitement that came with a trip like this? My brother and I have never spent much, what I would consider, quality time together (he is 7 years older than myself, and was off living his life, and I've been doing the same). And his wife of 8 years (I think) happened after I moved to Alaska, so I haven't had the opportunity to get to know her either. Having 16 days in close proximity provides an opportunity like no other to learn about someone :) I learned that Troy and Kristi are made for each other, they compliment each other perfectly and I learned that they are going to be GREAT parents! They are so consciencious of their actions, their decisions and are constantly staying aware of how things might affect their kids culturally. There is so much that goes into have teenagers, but when your teenagers were brought up in another culture, speak another language and have only known you for 20 days, the decisions you make are constantly second-guessed and processed to make sure it was the 'right' one. The amazing thing to watch was how well the kids 'fit' into Troy and Kristi's family. After 2 days it was very apparent that the kids were meant to be in the family and will do just fine- of course their will be some bumps, but you've got to have those so that you remember what is so good :)
I too was able to create a bond with the kids that is beyond words. It is so unique and special to have made a connection to my new niece and nephew created by their opportunity to share their culture and home country with me. A bond like that would never have been created without the opportunity to travel with Troy and Kristi and be able to share in the experience. It was truely life changing and something I will always share with them and the kids. Thank you Troy and Kristi for allowing me to be a part of such an important part of your lives.
The longer version with more details will have to be shared through a conversation- there is so much to talk about!
