Was a bit overwhelmed not knowing the details but now they have arrived!
Okay, so I am going to Addis... by myself. Which I feel very good doing but admit am definitely nervous about pieces of. We decided that I would be the solo traveler with the increasing stress of waiting, watching flights fill up and feeling the pressure of costs doubling. The option for traveling without a spouse was previously not available to us. So we really didn't even know if this was a possibility. Then we received a message from our specialist asking if both of us were going, since we would need a special form if a parent stayed behind. Voila, the solution to the frustration suddenly became very clear.
Last Thursday the decision for me to represent the family during the first trip was made, then on Tuesday the option to travel a week early was given. So the whirlwind of flight finding, hotel hunting and piece-meal packing began. The reason that we were given an all clear on travel was due to Abera's court case in Ethiopia passed, declaring him as "orphan" status. So then the courts were able to schedule a second court case for the us, the adoptive family... which will occur a week from today. Thursday will be the first time that our agency will have adoptive families represented in Ethiopian courts. Previously the country did not have adoptive families come for a court process at all. I will be reviewing the questions that might be posed during the 16 hours of travel that lay ahead. But the court process is likely to go smoothly and it is not something that I am worried about.
The worry I am feeling mostly lies in making sure all of my flight, connections, lay overs go smoothly! I will be departing from Chicago. Then I land in Amsterdam to spend a bit of time. From Amsterdam I go for a quick change in planes in Nairobi, where I will travel the rest of the way on Kenya Air. My arrival in Addis Ababa will around 11:30 at night. Midnight is the busy time in Bole Airport.
I am glad to have had the experience of previously traveling to Addis. So the process of getting the visa, exchanging dollars for birr and waiting for transportation in the large open airport lobby will be familiar. I am VERY thankful to have secured transportation from the airport to a local hotel. That was what took up the majority of my time yesterday. Hooray for forum "friends" who suggested Ethio Comfort Guesthouse... no idea what it looks like, where it is, but they said they will arrange my transportation from the airport - in the middle of the night. Once I take time to look at their website I will share a photo ;)
Pretty incredible for $30 a night!
At this point I am very unclear as to what my Monday to Thursday stay will entail, in the CHSFS quarters. Since I am part of the first "2 Visit" travel program they have yet to create a schedule, give packing suggestions or emergency phone numbers. I wonder who is busier - them or I? What I do know is this - I will be able to spend time with Abera. He is in Addis Ababa now, in a similar care center that Mehandis spent a good amount of time. That is comforting to me.
On Thursday I will go to court, say goodbye to Abera, fly out of Ethiopia to Amsterdam, New York and then Chicago. It will be Friday when I land in Chicago and haven't even taken the time to see who will be picking me up. But I trust that I won't be forgotten!!!
So those are the details as I know it.
Much more to come.
