Ethiopian Adventure #2, Day 4

Day 4

We woke up early this morning so we could get ready for our trip to the US Embassy.  Breakfast was at our guest house and our Ethiopian Representative met us to accompany us to the Embassy.  Our Ethiopian Representative is so kind and so generous.  He has helped hundreds of children find forever families in the US.  I cannot say enough wonderful things about him!  I truly believe that he cares deeply for every child he advocates for.  We are so grateful to him!!!

 After a drive through the city we arrive at the US Embassy.  It is in very stark contrast to the rest of the buildings around it.  We talk with several guards, show our passports, and go through a couple of scanners to get inside for our appointment.  There are many many people waiting.  There are a few adoptive families, but I am guessing the rest are Ethiopians requesting visas to the US.  We wait about 5 minutes and then we’re called forward.  The woman behind the glass talks with us briefly, stamps our paperwork, signs her name . . . and we’re done.  We pick up Miss “T”s visa in 3 days.  Did I mention we’re done!!!  I am baffled by this process.  You would think that after preparing paperwork for months (yes, literally months . . . many months) there would be a little more pomp and circumstance to this.  When we went in front of the judge we were there 5 minutes.  Embassy appointment . . . 5 minutes. Don’t get me wrong I am extremely glad to be finished with this adoption, but the Embassy appointment was anticlimactic.  But that is fine  . . . because we’re DONE!!!  (We’ll with this particular adoption!)

After finishing up at the Embassy we were dropped off at a restaurant near a shopping area.  We were meeting up with one of the nannies and one of the social workers that happened to be in Ethiopia as well!  Kevin, Miss “T” and I enjoyed some yummy French toast and pancakes while we waited.  I have decided if there is ever a moment that this little girl gets cranky, it’s probably because she’s hungry!  She got after her French toast.  It was gone in an instant.  We did a little shopping in the attached shop and strolled around the grocery store.  We found mango juice, raisin juice (or at least I think that’s what it was) and more varieties of honey than you could ever imagine!  We shopped and waited some more.  

Miss “T” was so great.  She played with her doll and fixed its hair over and over again.  Now . . . I completely trust the two women that we were meeting up with.  I had no doubts that they would be there before too long.  However, my mind kept asking . . . “did you tell her the correct restaurant?”  “You don’t have her cell number or the representative’s cell number!”  “You don’t have the address for the guest house, and you have no idea where it is from here.”  (Obviously, Kevin showed no signs of concern!)  As soon as those thoughts were filling my head here they came!  We had a great afternoon of shopping!  The Ethiopian nanny helped us navigate and get some great deals.  Plus it was just plain fun hanging out with them for the afternoon!

Late afternoon we headed back to the guest house in a taxi.  Miss “T” fell asleep on the way back.  So much for a real nap!  Once we returned we had a snack, played with bubbles and talked with our friends around the guest house.  Burgers for dinner – not the same as American burgers, but pretty good.  Shortly after dinner it was bath and bed time for Miss “T”.  

As I type this Kevin is downstairs talking, interacting, and watching a movie with the guys that run the guest house.  I have the wonderful pleasure of typing in the dark while I listen to my youngest sweet little girl sleep!