Welcome Home

It was without much fanfare that three kids from the rural village of Chucko left the only home they have ever know and took off for the big city of Awassa. Thankfully it was without any tears or obvious sadness that they entered the car. Many family members and most neighbors came out to wish them Bon Voyage and off they went.

Following another hard hour and a half drive in the van, we arrived at the kids' new home. The nanny, Zenebech, meet us at the apartment with a fantastic home cooked traditional Ethiopian meal of Shero, beef Doro Wat and Injera. After lunch we showed the kids around, gave them a lesson on using the front door keys, using the lights switches, and shutting the windows if they leave. We then left them alone with the Nanny, 50 birr, some books and a deck of cards.

      The boys lead the way. Welcome home!

       The Nanny

Until tomorrow morning when we get them for school uniform shopping, let's keep our fingers crossed and hope everyone is safe and happy.

Peace

Setting Up House

Please someone show me to the closest Bed, Bath & Beyond!

Shopping for an entire household in two days is a complex, perplexing and tiring task. I am constantly reminding myself that we only need enough the get them started.  Everything for the bedrooms, living rooms and kitchen. The list includes a table and chairs, mattresses, sheets, blankets, pillows, rugs, towels, all cleaning supplies for the home and laundry. Everything to start a kitchen from a small cook top to pots and utensils. Don't forget all the necessary pantry items needed to cook food that I have know idea what is needed or how to make.  Shiro, Dor Wat, Injera ...anyone ever tried those recipes.

The shopping is done at the Awassa open market. It is an amazing maze of vendors set up on one long street in town and in numerous little shops along that street.  Most shops are crammed floor to ceiling with all types of food, house hold supplies, shoes, clothes....everything and anything you could think of. Everything at your fingertips that is, if you know where to look and how to speak Amharic. 

Don't  forget about the Ethiopian art of negotiating every piece and every price. If we don't like the price at one location we move on to the next shop and then next and then the next. It could go on for hours. Eventually someone surrenders (usually me).

      Our 5 kilos of pasta, 4 kilos of sugar and 5 kilos of flour all in plastic bags and don't forget the laundry detergent and soap bars.

It was fun, everything is moved in (almost) and we are ready to head to the village tomorrow morning to pick up Endress, Shimelese and Yenu. We are excited that their next adventure is about to begin!

 

Peace out.