As we head toward Ethiopia, our thoughts shift from the beauty of Africa's wildlife and nature to how Mabret will feel upon returning to his place of birth. As many of you know, Mabret is quiet by nature. A trait that serves him well most of the time. However, when things are bothering him he does tend to remain inside of his own head and this sometimes requires something between a nudge and a stick of dynamite to get him out. We have always tried to make the topic of his previous life in Ethiopia an open subject and foster an easy going feeling when discussing it.
Not surprisingly, Mabret has raised the subject of Ethiopia more often during this trip than he ordinarily does at home. Recently while on a game drive, Mabret shared that he is very excited to see his Ethiopian brothers and sister. Roman jumped into the conversation and said, "I hope that they like to play soccer." Roman is a very sensitive guy who feels his emotions deeply and we know that he will lend support to his brother as we return to the village where Mabret was born and spent the first 3 and 1/2 years of his life.
We do remain anxious and concerned about how Mabret will feel about seeing his brothers and sister living under circumstances so starkly different from his own life. Mabret is from an area where the common cold can quickly become more serious and illnesses like malaria and tuberculosis kill on a frequent basis. Water is a commodity which is hard to obtain and things that we consider basic comforts are simply non-existent.
Mabret is a deep thinking person who is mature well beyond his years. The sights that we have seen in Africa and the villages that we have visited certainly reinforce how different life can be in Africa compared to his own life. It is one thing to see others live that way but vastly different to be faced with the recognition that, through forces beyond your control, your life was drastically altered. Meanwhile, your siblings continue to live the life that you likely would have led. This experience will put Mabret into a situation that few get to contemplate at any age.
We believe that he is up to the challenge or we would not have planned this portion of the trip. We know that Mabret has spent many hours thinking about his family in Ethiopia and frequently asks insightful questions or recounts a full or partial memory that has stayed with him from his years living in Ethiopia. Of course, witnessing all that we will see is a whole new level.
We know that Roman and Mabret will support each other as we spend this next phase of the adventure in Ethiopia. The relationship they share is unique and deep. Hopefully, this new chapter will enhance their ever-evolving brotherhood.
Post Script...we drafted this entry as our time in Tanzania was drawing to a close. When today arrived and it was time to head toward Ethiopia, Mabret and Roman were so very excited. When we arrived in Kilimanjaro to board the flight to Ethiopia, Roman was exceedingly happy and supportive of Mabret and they stood by the window awaiting the boarding announcement. Finally, it was time to walk to the plane.
And just after passing through customs in Addis.
More from Ethiopia tomorrow...
Peace Out.
