My mom's summary of our trip

Dear Sisters and friends,  This was our first picture as we arrived back in the great old USA!!!  I must say at that point if you will look at me my baggage under my eyes was a mile deep!!!!  We have many amazing stories to share.  We started the journey home at 11p on Thursday night.  We landed in Beirut, Lebanon at 3AM and went on to London arriving sometime in the early afternoon.  After brief layover we took off for Chicago and arrived there also in the early afternoon and had an angel who walked us through customs and immigration for Etta and Zoe.  The girls (3)  were amazing with only a few episodes to laugh about later.  On the United plane from London we had the "old broads" for stewardesses  as Uncle Jim used to call them.  Most were ok but one was over the hill!  She told Erin after Zoe (3) inadvertanly pushed the call button that it rang in the cock pit and Erin MUST stop her.  Erin had tried but the button was on the armrest so she ended up holding her the rest of the trip.  Several others( not 3 years old) had the same problem as you use your armrest to get out of chairs that are 6 inches apart!      

Etta had had an ear infection which we diagnosed and began treatment on as we knew it would be painful to travel with.  She did well except in Beirut where she cried.  after that we dosed her with antihistamines along with her antibiotic.  Then she got sick on landing but no ear pain!  Good sport about all considering not much language.  The last flight from Chicago to DesMoines we were all wiped out.  Callie and Etta fell into DEEP slumber and Callie especially was a few minutes from being on the next flight!  We were greeted at the airport by no less than 60 of Mark and Erins friends!  I could hardly talk ---it still makes me teary.  What a neat support team!  They carried luggage took pictures,  brought dinner and gave many hugs.  My favorite moment was Drew "introducing  himself"  Hi Etta,  I Drewie.  I will send you the picture.  Priceless.  

Now to back track----We arrived in Ethiopia right on schedule Christmas Eve night.  A Holt Agency driver met us and drove us to the hotel about 10 minutes from the airport.(He did not speak English---we did not speak Amharic)  It was an American type small hotel and adequate.  Similar but not quite as nice as the Barcelona Hotel where Sandy, Pat and us stayed.  We had two rooms as we knew we would be getting the girls several days before we left.  My room was on the back of the hotel...Callie and Erin on the front.  I had not slept on the plane and could not get to my sleeping pills until it was TOO late to matter.  Lots of turbulent flights so lots of seat belt time.  So Early Christmas AM the prayer started!  I mean 3AM.  The mosques wail or some said also the coptic church wails their prayer.  Let me tell you...not pleasant.  I knew what it was as I had heard it in Tanzania just not so loud.  From Erins room it was muted but they had the dog packs!  The sounds of Ethiopian nights are a mixture of animals, people, squalor, loud speakers.  (Even with ear plugs)  Eventually I gave up plugged in my IPOD and listenen to my music:)  Sooo Christmas day  dawned!  We knew this was our only day to SEE Addis Ababa so we hired a driver (another story but   do not want this to be an epistle so later)  Driver number 2 comes and takes us to his favorite places.  The first church Entoto,  where the dynasty of Ethiopia began. Queen of Sheba and more recently Haile Sylassie (Lion of Judah)  of some fame.----  National Museum, and National Church.  We also went to a restaurant where we had Pizza.  They were occupied by Italians and lots of remaining Influences.  Also tried their beer St George (really good).  Our strangest experience of the day was the airport style pat down at the national museum.  There was a group of people and this lady officer who had NO uniform comes up goes straight for the boobs and all her "friends"  break out laughing!  Erin and I both were SHOCKED and still wonder if this was for real or if we were scammed.  The museum housed the "LUCY"  supposedly earliest "human"  being.  They are VERY proud of it all and worried you will blow it up I guess or steal it or put it in your bra?

Monday we went to meet Etta and Zoe (Ehitnesh and Firehiwot).  They are beautiful little girls and were very subdued although they had been prompted to come to us.  I am sure they remembered (at least Etta) Erin and especially when she showed them a copy of the books she had given them in June.  We played and then talked to the nurse in charge and the pediatritian.  Finally they had a farewell ceremony where they served coffee and cake and popcorn and the older children were brought in as well as all the staff. the girls were dressed in traditional Ethiopian dress. The day started at 10 A and we got back to the hotel at 5P.

When we got into the room at the hotel the little girls changed dramatically.  Zoe danced and spontaneously sang a song I had been singing to them  "This is the day the Lord has made"  The nurse told Erin she had not seen Etta smile like she did in the 4 weeks she had been in Addis!  We have been "home" now for 21/2 days.  Last night they finally let Erin sleep.  Their days and nights (ours too) were flipped.  They are somewhat afraid to let Erin  out of sight but each day you can see the change.  They were very willing to include me until I left them to sleep but it did make it so they really understood who Mom is.  Sometimes they call me Ayat (grandma)  sometimes they ignore me but always Erin is watched.  Mark is slowly making his way into hearts also...but they are shy.  

Well this is not so short but as you can all tell...your prayers were answered.  Thanks so much dear friends and dear sisters and brothers in law.  Happy New Year,  Linda Z