When we order lunch or a snack and Roman is not at the table when the food arrives, the waiter will ask "where is Roman?" He or she will then march over to the ping pong tables or pool and gently take him by the arm and lead him back to the lunch table. I find this, although surprising at first, a much more effective method of getting Roman to the table than any I have tried. Each server also comments on the very small amount of food Roman eats and seems genuinely disappointed. Roman then feels badly and tries another bite or two.
When several waiters heard Roman was not feeling well, each supplied us with their homemade simple solutions. Extra lime squeezed into a Sprite was Roman's favorite despite the fact he didn't have an upset stomach.
Two days ago Roman was determined to find, cultivate and chew on some sugar cane. I gently tried to say I'm not sure there is sugar cane on the hotel grounds and if so they may not want you destroying it. Nonetheless, he insisted I follow him and he did in fact find some. The picture in my head of a shirtless Roman carrying around a 5 foot stick of sugar cane is priceless. He then had to figure out what to do with it. A combination of You Tube videos and staff support lead Roman to the kitchen where he got 'the lady with a big knife' to cut the branch down to manageable sizes and slice it open. Roman was quite pleased. He then shared these pieces with Mabret and several other children. When the sugar cane still wasn't easy to eat, he went back to the kitchen so ALL the outer bark could be hacked off with the big knife. Success and good chewing.
During the busy times at the hotel; weekends, the feast of St. Gabriel and Ethiopian Christmas - Roman is once again an object of other guests' giggles and if the guests are brave, requests for photos with the crazy blond haired kid. The photos are not simple quick shots. Roman has to be positioned between the ladies, arms around him and his arms then positioned around them. The last photo is always of the brave hotel guest rubbing Roman's hair.
This is not to say Mabret is not getting attention or having fun but he is by nature quieter and more reserved. He also does not so obviously stand out here among the many other children running around the hotel.
The entire staff here at the Haile Hotel & Resort are quite kind and charming. We know many by name or nick names we have constructed in order to make it easier for us. Among the most memorable are D&G (his name does start with 'D' and contain a 'g' but he also always wears a D&G belt buckle) Fantastic, Antenea, Solomon and Roman (female). They greet us everyday with big smiles and try to make our stay comfortable. We in return try to make their life more comfortable by tipping closer to the American manner (versus the Ethiopian or European manner). They are shy about it but no doubt grateful.
Both boys can be relatively independent here. The entire staff is always looking out for all the children and guests. Very often you will see a 2 year old stumbling around or too close to the stairs and a staff member will either pick him up or take him by the hand and walk around with him until a parent comes looking. One of my most thankful memories was one day after coming back from an outing I desperately wanted a shower to get the dust off. I was however playing ping pong with Roman and he didn't want to stop. A recreation staff member must have overheard Roman's and my conversation because he came straight over took my paddle and said "I will play with him!" So kind.
Roman wanted Macaroni n Cheese so we went to the chef told her how to make it.....and she did!
He is a happy boy.
