A Journey, But Not Alone: June 9th - Day 8 Ethiopia/Germany 2023... A Bumpy Ride Through the Countryside

The first night of sleep in Ethiopia was glorious. Our rooms take up the majority of the 6th floor. The view of Addis is wonderful. I'm especially glad that it gives an opportunity for those on immersion to see the hustle and bustle from a different viewpoint.

The group ate breakfast at the hotel's café. Everything from French toast to fir fir and mango juice to coffee.

Zebene, Eyosius, and Leviar met us at the hotel along with Meskerem's brother. We loaded in the van and then set off for Woliso. Depending on traffic it is a 2-3 hour drive southwest of Addis.

There are many changes over the course of this drive. In the city, people are walking everywhere and the driver has to take care to not run over anyone. Outside of the city, it is the cows, donkeys, and goats that crowd the roads. The language changes from Amharic to Oromiffa. The smog of the city breaks away for a cool fresh breeze and rain clouds. Homes in Addis are crowded and squeeze a maximum number of people into a small area. In the countryside, the homes are spread apart and have planting fields in between.

We pass through small villages and modest towns. Throughout the journey homes, livestock, and planting fields line the road. On more than one occasion we stopped for livestock in the road. These cows were not easily deterred from hanging out where they pleased.

As we passed through small villages, there were women walking to and from their homes to the center of town. Small roadside businesses offered water, produce, and other items for sale. The partly cloudy sky left the air slightly cool while the sun still lit up all the vibrant colors of the towns.

The bus was full. It is a good thing we were all family and friends that love each other! Thirteen of us along with luggage were packed into the vehicle. As we approached Woliso the excitement built. Waiting for us there would be family members that some had not seen in over ten years. Long-awaited reunions!

We arrived at the Negash Resort in Woliso. After a sigh of relief to be out of the bus, came the arms of loved ones wrapping each other tightly while tears streamed down many of our faces. A beautiful reunion.

This woman is beyond amazing. She is Meskerem's 1st mother, her birth mother. She has allowed me the honor and privilege of being Meskerem's 2nd mother, her adoptive mother. We have been able to be together several times over the years. Words are completely inadequate to describe the love, care, compassion, and bond that we share. Even though we do not speak the same languages, even though we live in this world in very different ways, there is the most beautiful communication and simple knowing that we share through tears, smiles, and long embraces. The more time we spend together the more our families bond. A shared joy in playing ball with the children. Laughter ripples through all of us as we watch the antics of the wild monkeys. Pure love and fierce protection over our one enormous blended family that grows closer each time we are together. I am beyond thankful for this woman.

Everyone spent the afternoon playing games, sharing stories, and taking pictures. Uno is definitely a game that crosses language barriers... and there was a LOT of Uno!

We all ate dinner together that night. That evening was filled with good food, laughter, and quality family time. You can tell it is a group that enjoys being together and is welcoming of all when the hotel staff are feeling like part of the family. I am so thankful for these bonds that reach across the waters, across languages, and through the years that we have spent apart.