On The Move Again

Wednesday January 15th began with a 5:30am wake-up call to begin our journey from Awassa to Addis.  We will board a 12:05am flight bound for Delhi.  At 6am, we jumped into 2 tuck tucks - one for the backpacks with Roman and Mabret sitting atop the bags and one for Kathy, Bob and Katie. The 6:30am bus departed on time for the 6 hour ride to Addis.  

After arriving in Addis just before 1pm, we decided to check out the Sheraton Hotel in Addis as we have heard many good things about it.  As with most places in Ethiopia, the staff was warm and welcoming.  The lobby of the hotel and the grounds are gorgeous.  We enjoyed some lunch and a bit of chill time before heading to the home of Roman and Mabret's friend Neil who we met in Awassa for dinner.

Mabret and Roman complimented their meals with an age old Ethiopian dish - waffles and ice cream.

   

Next stop, a play date and dinner.  It was a real treat to fill our stomachs with home-cooked food before a 6 hour overnight flight.  Thanks to three generations of the Pastiaux-Murphy for hosting us. 

A short cab ride to the airport and a long line to check our bags with Ethiopian Airlines.  Goodbye for now, Ethiopia. 

Flight ET 688 took off at 1am in Ethiopia and landed just after 9am in Dehli, India.  We are now 10 and 1/2 hours ahead of those of you following along at home. 

Welcome to India.

After a power nap and showers, we ventured out to have dinner and explore the city a bit. 

We will circle back to Dehli when we depart India so today was just a sample.  Delhi is the capital of India, its third largest city, and the industrial hub of northern India.  In addition to being the government center, Delhi is the second most widely used entry point into the country.  In plain terms, it is crazy crowded here.

While the air has a constant gray fog like tint from dust, Delhi is actually one of the greenest cities in the world with a green cover of almost 20%.  As a result of a push to clean up the air in Delhi, the entire public transportation system runs on environment friendly Compressed Natural Gas.

Tomorrow we leave for Agra which is home to the Taj Mahal.  To all of Bob's degenerate friends who still believe that the Taj Mahal is in Atlantic City (you know who you are), we will post pictures to prove you incorrect.  

The RTW Adventure Family is happy to be on the move again. 

Until tomorrow...

Peace Out.

Goodbye For Now

When this adventure began to take shape, we tried to keep our expectations realistic and our goals attainable.  One of the objectives we did discuss was attempting to spend enough time in Ethiopia, and while there live, shop and meander among the local people, that Roman and Mabret would always feel comfortable returning here.  As we journeyed via foot, tuck tuck, bus and taxi from Awassa to Addis, we watched the ease with which the boys moved and feel confident that our mission was accomplished.  

We departed Ethiopia with countless memories and two sons who matured before our eyes as we moved back and forth from Awassa to Dongora Morocho.  The image of walking with Mabret as he moved toward his Ethiopian family and friends who were assembled and awaiting his return is one that will remain frozen in time and stay with us forever.  

While we always planned to bring food and supplies to the village, we had no gameplan beyond those general ideas.  As we came to know Endris, Shemelese and Yenu, they quickly worked their way into our hearts and lives.  Each has obvious physical similarities to Mabret and as we got to know and love them each of their personalities reminded us of Mabret.  

As you know from reading this blog, we quickly found ourselves working to relocate our three Ethiopian kids to Awassa and enroll them in school.  As we spent our last few hours with them, we filled with pride from the sheer bravery they have displayed. 

Endris has naturally taken on the role of leader and quickly tosses a look or word in Sidamo should Shemelese or Yenu require a reminder about the rules governing their new life in Awassa.  Endris shows his emotions more than the other kids, including Mabret.  He was emotional as we reminded them for the final time (for now) that the goal of this move is education first, second and third.  While they should work with Hagirso to learn about and enjoy Awassa, their focus is Amharic and English.  The tears in Endris' eyes told the story as they waved goodbye from their new living room window.

Shemelese always has a mischievous smile close to the surface and will likely be the leader as the kids explore Awassa.  When we walked to the apartment after purchasing some last minute items from the market, Shemelese led the way and we suspect that he has already ventured out on "secret missions".  

Simply put, Yenu is Mabret without the Y chromosome.  

Goodbye for now, Endris, Shemelese and Yenu.  Make us proud!