January 14, 2014

We had a relaxed morning and were out of the house by 9:00.  We visited Eyerusalem at her home and guest house.  She has become a friend of Kathy's since they stayed with her 5 years ago.  It was a lovely visit.  She had coffee, tea, and cookies for us.  We sat in her garden and visited for some time.  She was so kind.  Her home is beautiful and full of antiques.  She shared her amazing stories with us about her home and family history.  It was fun to be so pampered by her and her staff.

The new stage and mural for weddings and events

 

Wonderful lunch

 

Beautiful garden

We left there and stopped at Muya, an artisan shop nearby that Eyerusalem had recommended to us.  We found lots to buy.  It was our first chance to get any of the things we wanted to take back with us.  Next was lunch at Lucy's, the national museum restaurant.  Doro wat for me! 

 

After lunch we headed to the boy's shelter.  They had been waiting for us.  We were glad to see our friend the sheep still grazing on the lawn, but we had only been there long enough to snap a picture with him before he was led to the back corner and slaughtered.  There wasn't much warning, but we did know that they had been waiting for us so they could prepare us this special meal. 

 

 

The boys built a fire and they cooked the meat on a large skillet over the flames.  Roasted sheep.  I got to stir it a little to help with the cooking process.  I tried one piece.  It wasn't bad, as far as sheep goes, but I couldn't eat more than that.

 

 

 

 

After the meal was over we moved our benches into a circle and played a Bible trivia game, which was a totally embarrassing experience and another game I think they made up.  It was truth or dare  - more or less.  We laughed and laughed.  It was a beautiful sound to hear all the laughter as the evening came closing in.  It began to get cool, but I didn't want it to end.

 

The boys sang us a song and we prayed for them.  It was dark and cold before we were done.  We had to say our goodbyes then.  It was hard to leave the boys.  Some were crying and they hugged us all.  I wish we could have spent more time with them.  We promised to come back.  I hope to see great progress in their education and growth when I see them again.

By the time we got home I was not feeling well.  It is the first time I can say this so I am thankful for that.  Early bedtime for me in hopes of feeling better by morning.  We are going to Holeta tomorrow!

January 15, 2014

We were up early again and ready to go, but our ride was an hour and a half late.  Traffic problems.  Holeta is only about an hour away.  The drive was beautiful.  Watching the country go by never gets old.

 

We arrived at the orphanage and began unloading and sorting our bags.  We wanted to make sure we had everything.  We were able to give a few things to the children in the orphan center as we waited.  They played with the new balls as we got organized.  There are 6 children here right now. 

 

The children were waiting in the community center next door when we walked in.  There were 50 children sponsored here.  We handed out bags, which the children were so happy to have.  They all tried on their new clothes and got to wear them for the rest of the day. 

Jen loved up on this sweet girl

 

 

 

After they were changed we sat in the center and sang songs.  We taught them "If you're happy and you know it".  They sang many songs for us.  It was fun to try to do the actions along with them. 

 

 

They all had afternoon school so had to leave.  We only spent an hour with them.  We pulled aside the kids who were wearing their new Bison shirts and took a group shot.  We were wearing ours, too.

 

 

 

We had lunch - sheep lasagna???- and then visited the ladies who make beads.  The Covenant Sisters, they call themselves.  I got to try to make one - twice - and failed miserably.  Both times.  They just laughed.  Oh, well. 

 

 

We went through their inventory and picked some to buy.  They all were so beautiful it was hard to choose.

Pochi wanted to visit a few of the elderly sponsored ladies so Jen, Kyle and I went with.  It was a rocky path with houses on each side.  The children were still in school so the streets were very quiet.  There were many more trees here than we have seen in the other towns.

 

 

 

 

We visited two widows who are sponsored by CDA in their homes.  One was between 80 and 90 years old.  When we got to her house we had to wait at the gate, as we heard a dog on the other side.  David declared himself guard, so we went in.  She lived in one room with only a foam mat on the floor and a bench in the corner.  There were no lights and though it was daylight outside it was very dark inside.  We had to let our eyes adjust to the dim room.  She is unable to care for herself so her neighbors help her out and cook her meals.  We brought her a fleece blanket.  she was very sweet and grateful for our visit.  She thanked us for coming to visit her while she was still alive instead of waiting to come to her funeral. 

Hanna and Pochi with our new friend

 

The next house was a five minute walk from where we were.  This woman was blind and sat in a small room in her house.  This house was larger and had lights, but was split into two rooms.  She had a family living in the larger room and they cared for her.  She did not speak much to us, but was also thankful for her new blanket.

 

The children were getting out of school when we left there so we had a few follow us back to the orphan home.  We had some time to play with the children in the home.  They were so sweet.  The oldest girl spoke some English, but was very shy.  She showed us around the home and showed us her room.  There were six beds, but she was the only one in hers, as the other girls were toddlers and still in cribs.  She said she goes to school, but she stayed home today to see us.

It was nearly dinner time when we got home.  Tsige made us spaghetti and salad for dinner.  Then we had a relaxing talk about the needs we have seen.  We need to divide our donation money before we go. 

We were all ready for a good sleep.

*Read more about the Covenant Sisters HERE

January 16, 2014

Today was our day to visit the government orphanage.  It is the only government run orphan center for young children in Addis.  When we drove in the gate we cold see the children running in the yard.  I think they should have been in school, but they got to play with us instead.  They were all dressed in uniform - light blue sweaters and mauve pants or skirts.  No photos are allowed here so we left our things in the car. 

We played on a small playground and in the open space surrounding it.  They wanted so badly to hold hands, be hugged and picked up.  "Ferenge!" they yelled to us to get our attention.  Krysta had a book of stickers and we passed some out- putting one first on each child's hand.  They kept coming back for more and more and some had them on their arms and all over their faces by the time we ran out.

The teachers set a boom box on the step and played music for us.  Some of the children danced as it played.  We toured their class rooms before we left them.  They had two rooms with English alphabet and diagrams on the walls.  We were surprised at how many supplies they had for their learning.  But the rooms were small for so many children.

Next we saw the special needs kids.  The beds were full with severely handicapped children.  they were clearly undernourished, under stimulated, and small for their ages.  Some were immobile, but others rocked or clapped in their beds.  I didn't spend much time here - it was hard to see this side of things.

Last we saw the babies.  They ranged from 0-2 years old.  Most that I saw were less than a year.  For the most part, they slept 2-4 to a bed, but there were at least 3 nannies in each of the two rooms.  Some were very responsive, but others were not used to interaction.  We picked some up and held them for a while.  It is hard to put them down when you know they might not get held again today.

Leaving there was a hard thing.  We were all touched by this place.  we were able to leave three duffle bags of clothes and shoes and several balls here for the children.

It was lunch time again so we went to the "western" burger place.  Real beef and French fries for everyone with ice cream for dessert.  We were all ready for this meal by this time in the trip!

In the ice cream shop

 

Hanna enjoying her chocolate

Shopping in the afternoon was a new experience for most of us.  Bartering and going from place to place is an interesting change from what we are used to .  The shops are all the same, but there are so many things to look at.  It is overwhelming.  Everyone wants to sell you something, from maps to Kleenexes.  We found many things to take home with us.

Ready to find some deals

 

The street in the textile district

 

Found me some hats.

 

The basket guy outside the coffee shop made out pretty good on this group!

 

Back to the guest house and popcorn for a snack.  We spent way more time in the car today than was necessary.  Starting to feel guilty for keeping David out so late.

January 17, 2014

Up again at 7:00 and breakfast as usual.  Tsige takes such good care of us.
David called to tell us he was running late so we decided to go for a walk down the street.  The morning rush was on - lots of people waiting for taxis, heading for school, and rushing along the street.  The bajas were busy getting people where they need to go.

The street here is rocky.  It seems to be covered in rubble as if the buildings were crumbling, but they are all in good repair.  We walked the few blocks down the hill to the small market.  It seems to be a market for household goods.  Vegetables were plentiful as well as shoes of various shapes and colors, dishes, coffee pots and many shirts. 

We saw a donkey nearby so we walked his way.  Tina wanted to pet him, but we didn't end up getting that close.  David drove by just then so we knew it was time to move back up the hill.  It is easy to spot our red van on these streets.  We grabbed our bags and piled into our usual seats.

We had a relaxing day planned.  Tsige came with us for the day.  We drove out to Born Free wildlife preserve.  It was on the road to Holeta so we had been on the road before, but it was a drive we enjoyed.  The area was so beautiful.  Many trees along the mountainside. 

Our guide took us to see the animals, walking along rough trails, or no trails at all.  The tall grass brushed our legs and stuck to our pants.  Cheetahs, lions, jackles, baboons, and monkeys were all inhabitants here.  The animals were amazing - I had never seen any of them before. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After we saw the animals we walked some trails and came to an army training tower.  We estimate it to have been built in the '40s - hidden in the trees were no one could find it.  We were able to climb the crumbling steps up the three stories to the top.  The view was spectacular!

 

 

 

David at the top.

 

 

We left there after a wonderful time, feeling refreshed and thankful for the fresh air and sunshine. 

 

Tsige enjoying our day

 

Our little family

 

We headed back to town for lunch at the Top View.  It certainly must have had a lovely view before the big ugly buildings were built in front of it.  We had to take some pretty rough and sketchy alleys to get there so were surprised at how nice it was.  This place is full of paradoxes.  It was my last chance to get injera so I ordered the beef Shiro.  Delicious!

Katie, Jen, and Jaime at Top View

As usual, lunch lasted 2 hours so we headed to FanshionABLE for scarves as soon as we were done.  They were dying yarn and hanging it up to dry so bundles of multi-colored yarn hung on lines in the sun.  The yard was filled with them so you could not walk more than a few feet without ducking underneath.  It was the most beautiful display of color imaginable.  The shop was full of intricate scarves of the same colors.  I could have bought many more, but had to limit myself!

 

 

 

Pochi told us it was time for a coffee and we never argue with Pochi or coffee so we went to Kaldi's for a treat.  Caramel macciato and tiramisu.  It was a very modern shop in an otherwise run-down mall.  We enjoyed our time there very much and had many laughs over our snack.

Kristen and Jaime enjoying their coffee

 

Our ride home was full of laughs.  We hit some traffic problems, which David solved by backing up on the highway (?!?!?) and taking us through narrow alleyways.  I am always amazed that he knows where he is going and that he keeps his patience.  Our little detour took us well over a half hour.  Thankfully, we were feeling good so we kept one another entertained.

It was dark when we got back to the house.  Time to start packing.  We leave tomorrow.