June 8th - Day 7 Ethiopia/Germany 2023

The sunrise is always beautiful.  However, there is something extra special about watching the sun rise over Africa as the plane descends into Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

We had arrived!  The Bole Airport has been in a state of remodeling for the past few years.  They have made many improvements and it is now much easier to navigate.  Traveling with so many bags, it did take some time to find them among the various luggage carousels.  

We had landed, gone through immigration, found all 14 pieces of checked luggage, and now it was time to go through customs.  Each of us walked up to the conveyor belt to put the luggage through the scanner.  However, we were told to only put a couple of bags on the scanner.  Of all the bags we brought they only opened one.  After a quick glance, they zipped it back up and we were on our way.  Before heading out of the airport we gathered close to the door.

This strange feeling had come as a wave through my body.  All of a sudden I felt the muscles in my shoulders release.  My jaw was no longer tense.  My arms and legs felt like noodles as I stood wondering what was happening.  

And then I realized...

We just walked through customs.  No issues.  No two-hour interrogation about any medical equipment.  No desperate digging for documentation and paperwork.  No questions.  We just walked through customs.

Two years ago we had a much different experience with trying to bring a hematology and ultrasound machine with us to the clinic.  A Journey, But Not Alone: The Continued Saga of the Box - Day 3 Ethiopia 2021  This time there were no machines or significant medical equipment.  Yet, I had not realized how tense and anxious my mind and body had become just being in a similar situation.  

We were all tired but ready and happy to be in Addis.  It is always wonderful to walk out of the airport and see the smiling faces of our friends.  The hugs, the tears, the instantaneous connection right where we left off.  While we are just visiting, there is a sense of being welcomed home.    

I love the first ride in the taxi after we arrive in Ethiopia.  My eyes take in all of the cars going by and the children walking to school.  I hear the honking horns, bleating goats, and street markets.  The smell is a mix of exhaust from the traffic, Ethiopian spices, and an earthy tone that reaches back to the origins of humanity.

This initial taxi ride was new though.  Instead of looking at the surroundings through my own eyes, or the perception of our children, I had the honor of watching Iva take everything in.  This trip has a new element for us.  We are leading an immersion experience for the first time.  We are humbled and honored that Iva, and soon Bill and Martie, will allow us to guide them as they discover the beauty, community, and culture of Ethiopia.  Hopefully, this is just the first of many immersion experiences we will guide. 

After resting at the hotel and settling in we all went to Hiwot and Zebene's home for a welcome dinner.  I always feel very honored and humbled by the abundant hospitality their family practices.  Before dinner, our hands are washed.  They start with the most senior person in the room.  You receive a squirt of soap, cleanse your hands, and a pitcher of water is poured to rinse while a basin is held underneath.  Then the next most senior person in the room washes.  When it gets down to all the teenagers it is fun to watch the Zebene and Burke children go back and forth about who goes next.    

Dinner was plentiful.  Salad.  Injera.  Shiro.  Rice.  Green beans and carrots.  Doro wat with eggs.  Ethiopian food has a unique variety of flavors and spices.  Also, notice... no forks, spoons, or knives.  The injera (flat sourdough bread) is used to scoop up these delectables.  

For a treat after the meal, we are served fresh fruit.  The best bananas, mango, and papaya you could ever have!  After filling our bellies the games began.  Uno, Cards, More Uno, Soccer... did I mention Uno.  When this group of young people are together their Uno games get extremely competitive.   

As the rain came through we lost electricity for a while, not unusual.  It certainly didn't stop us from continuing with our evening.  Part of the fun is delivering all of the donations that were sent to the clinic.  Dr. Hiwot looked at and held every single item donated.  Words can't express the appreciation she has for all the support.  People from all over helped gather items that Fares Medium Clinic needed.  Every time we travel to Ethiopia I am overwhelmed by the generosity of people.  Thank you to all those that shared their love.  

Eventually, the electricity was restored.  We enjoyed traditional coffee, popcorn, and bread.  Conversations continued well into the evening.  However, the most prevalent aspect was the love that is shared among this group.  It had been two years since the Burke and Zebene families had been together.  Yet, all of these relationships have only grown in that time.  Now, with this immersion trip, there is the opportunity to develop and share those relationships with others.   

Darkness fell over the city as we rode back to the hotel in the taxi.  Plenty of cars were still on the road and plenty of people were still out and about.  The evening rain left the air misty and cool.  We had not been in Addis for more than 12 hours, yet my heart was so full with the hope and excitement of the weeks to come.