I hate United Airlines

We departed Ethiopia Friday evening and arrived Saturday morning US time in DC. We flew Ethiopian Airlines into Washington Dulles and from there connected on United. Before we landed at Dulles Nati began screaming. He'd been so good on the flight. Talking to the other passengers and the flight attendants. The screaming began because he didn't want to put his seat belt on for landing. All of the female flight attendants came running (the ladies man thing again.) They promised him candy if he calmed down. He promptly quieted down and gladly accepted his 2 pieces of chocolate and ate 1.

We passed customs without a hitch. That process takes about 5 mins with the opening of the envelope and getting it in order. We stopped to take a picture under the Welcome to the United States of America sign. Nati is so little his didn't come out well. The girl behind me took one of us together but she zoomed in too far and the sign is cut off. But you get the idea...right?

We were first in line for the immigration interview. I wasn't asked a single question. The couple behind me was interviewed. Those are the breaks.

I retrieved our 3 bags, delivered our luggage to the transfer point, got our boarding passes, and was all set. We finally arrived back home in NYC. Without any luggage. We've got the bag with the souveniors. But the suitcases are missing and it has our coats in them. Oh well, the taxi agent let us skip to the front of the line. You can do that if you find a nice one and they see you have a child. Our stuff has left for Chicago for the relocation so we're staying at a hotel.

I should tell you it's now Monday and still no luggage. I'm hold up in a 150 sq ft hotel room in the dead of winter with a new kid, no coat, and no fresh under wear and socks. Someone shoot me. I'm tired of room service. I'm calling United every few hours to get an update. The story changes each and every time. With United apparently when your stuff is lost you have to file a claim each day it's lost. All the flights they have into and out of DC headed for NYC's 3 airports and still no luggage. One minute they've located my luggage and the next it's lost again. Are you kidding me? And to top it all off, you're talking to someone half way around the world on another continent about your luggage lost in the states. Since we don't have warm clothing they've offered to reimburse me 25% of the amount I spend up to 200. Nati's coat, hat, and scraf were new. How frustrating!

I finally got my stuff back. Almost all of the items are broken that could break. One of the cameras from one of the families that sent a care package is missing. I've also got a note that says my luggage was searched. I can't tell tell you how much of a mess the one suitcase is. The items that were on the bottom are now on the top and the items on the left are on the right. I looks like it wasn't packed at all. I told Susan Parr I preferred to fly American but it was only 25 to add the flight on with United using their rates. Certainly not their fault. They offered me $50 credit for my next flight. I asked the agent if they were crazy. They aren't responsible for contents in the suitcase. Just abnormal wear and tear. This was the first and last time I'm flying United. I going to investigate filing a small claim lawsuit against them.

Week in Ethiopia - Friday the last day

Friday was our last day. I was sad to see our time come to an end but I was relieved to be going home. We stayed at Ayat House during our time there. I highly recommend it. Waguyu and Zemmet were very nice and accommodating. We shared a traditional meal with them for lunch Friday. On Thursday Zemmet offered Nati shuro and injera to calm him down but he wasn't having any of that. Waguyu and Zemmet played soccer with Nati and talked to him in Amharic. They've been a tremendous help in the transition. Nati has nearly destroyed the gutter on the house. He's knocked it off and I've promised to send Waguyu some gutter clips in various sizes in hopes that I can find a better fastener. If you're staying at Ayat House in January let me know so I can send the fasteners with you.

Nati awoke with a new attitude I guess. We met members of his birth family. They brought me a scarf and necklaces. Nati was given traditional outfits for various sizes as he grows, some traditional shoes, and a staph to hold in his hand when he wears the clothes. I was even given a fantastic gift of a book of family photos of Nati and family through the years. He's 2 1/2 now. There are pictures from his birth, baptism, birthdays, etc in there. Even from when his mom was pregnant. I'm told by Belay that a video is coming after they can burn a copy. It'll be a great gift for when he's older. At the end he said ciao, waved goodbye and we were on our way. No tears. I was surprised.

I stopped in to see the children Nati shared a bed with. The kids sleep 3 to a bed. Nati's a wild sleeper I don't know how they accomplish this. Low and behold Nati slept with the Ivy family boys. It's such a small world. Although I'm now in Chicago I used to live in Dallas. I've met Monica and Henry. We used to have seats near each other for the Dallas Summer Musicals. My good friend Tricia works with Henry.

Nati's favorite care taker and 2 others stopped in to say good bye. I was all prepared for another screaming fit and again at the end he took pictures, said ciao and waved goodbye. Not a single tear. I guess we're bonding and he's turning the page on this chapter of his life.

Tafessa drove us out to Dreamland to have one last dinner with Belay, Laura, David, and Zelly, and Eyasu their driver. Dreamland was beautiful.

I've got my souvenirs, new friends, lifetime memories, and a new kid. I'm all set for the next chapter.

Week in Ethiopia - Thursday

Today consisted of mostly souvenir shopping. A trip to the Alert Hospital (leprosy hospital), Haile Sailesse gift shop, a ride through Mercardo, an area near the post office with lots of shops that barter, picking out postcards, and getting coffee. Lots of coffee. The night concluded with a traditional dinner night that includes several traditional dances. In one of the traditional dances the girl is turning so head so fast it looks like it's about to fly right off her neck. What's more amazing is how she didn't faint from dizziness once she was done. I was dizzy just watching her.

Nati didn't come along so he once again stayed with the same caregiver from Tuesday. When I returned Tuesday afternoon from souvenir shopping he wasn't all to thrilled to see me again. Or maybe it was that I left him again. I called Belay and said I didn't want to go to the dinner or that I wanted Nati to come along because I couldn't take another screaming fit. Belay thought since we'd return so late in the evening after Nati was asleep that all would be well. We arrived back at the house a little after 10pm. As I was putting Nati to bed he woke up and another screaming fit started. He eventually cried himself to sleep. When he's beginning to calm down his cry sounds more like a soft howl. It's actually a little funny. Not to him I'm sure but it is to me.

Week in Ethiopia - Day 3 embassy day

Wednesday is jammed packed. We have our embassy appointments, a coffee ceremony at the baby house, and pass out care packages to the other children from their families waiting in America. Upon arrival at the baby house for the ceremony and care package delivery, Nati immediately had a tantrum brought on by confusion. He'd spent a few days with me at the guest house and now I was "returning him" or so he thought. I got to pass out packages to the babies and take pictures and Ryan delivered some of the others at the nearby house as we thought it'd cause more confusion to take Nati or leave him with a care taker. We stayed behind and were joined by Diborah and Faven. Nati had a great time playing with the girls (such a ladies man already). At the coffee ceremony he insisted on having his own plate of popcorn (he's just like me). The trend continued for kids stroking my hair. This time it was Diborah. She's so adorable I didn't mind.

We went to lunch at Top View restaurant. Nati borrowed Ryan's sunglasses. He had rice since he had lots of diarrhea. We met Belay at the US embassy. I got the male interviewer. He asked me to verify this was the child I was expecting and asked a few questions about Nati's family. It took less than 2 minutes then I was given his stamp of approval. Pretty painless.

The week in Ethiopia - Monday/Tuesday

Days 2 and 3 started with me asking him if he had to pee for which he responded no but he really did. I gave him a bath in the sink and I think he thought I was trying to drown him as he held on for dear life. I helped him brush his teeth and he swallowed the toothpaste. I should have demonstrated. We enjoyed bagels for breakfast. We played a little, all in silence from him. On Monday, Bougeoisa (misspelled I'm sure) a care taker came over while I went out for lunch with Ryan. Nati laughed and played loudly with her and had a great time. After she left, he was back to giving me the silent treatment.

Tuesday we visited some orphanages and Nati got to come along on our first outing. He was pretty silent for most of it. At the co-ed orphanage, the little girls wanted to stroke my hair. Ryan laughed the entire time as we had the hair conversation earlier. Both days came to an end about 7.

The week in Ethiopia - Day 1

Sorry for the delay. Here are the updates...

Sunday Dec 7th a little after 3:30 I got to finally meet Nati. The care givers brought him down and he let me take him outside to play. We took pictures and played with the boomerang. I managed to hit him in the head when I threw it. I'm sure he thought what the heck...She wants to be my mother and can't even manage to not hit me the first 10 mins I'm with her. We went back inside and took pictures with the other children and they all said chao to him. I began to change his clothes and his favorite care giver walked in and he started to really cry. She talked to him in Amharic about all the clothes, candy, toys, etc he'd have in America and she said something about my hair and he stroked my head a few times. I hate it when people other than my hair dresser touch my hair but I made it through. I finally managed to pry him away. He wouldn't stop crying so Abby invited us to visit with them and the kids (Marta, Enoch, and Ezra) and pick up some toys from Enoch. Other than shinti (pee) and ca-ca (poop). He didn't really say much else to me the entire rest of the day. At 6 we ate pizza and spaghetti. Around 7 I changed him into his PJs, read him a book, and put him into bed. He went right into a sleeping position, closed his eyes and day 1 came to an end.

I'm in Cairo

Since I was so close to Eypt how could I not come on over. I took a camel ride to see the pyramids and the Sphinx. Took a boat ride down the Nile River, and even got to see King Tut's tomb at the museum. It's been a great trip...long and exhausting but well worth it. Here are a few pics from my day's trek through the desert.

Tomorrow I'm back in ET. Unfortunately their Internet has been shotty. Not sure I can blog but check back.

Day 1 in Addis

Spent my first day and night in Addis. I'm at the Bejoe House which is very nice. It's close to the airport and since I'm now in Egypt that came in handy. I was doing well til the roosters started crowing. In the US urban cities we've got lumberjacks, sirens, and horn honking. I'm very use to that kind of noise and almost immune to it. It took me a few secs to figure out I was hearing a rooster and I even doubted it the first time it crowed.

My driver is Tessafaye. He took me to a lovely Parisian cafe for breakfast. I had a pancake which was good. Next we went to the top of the mountain, started the altitude pills 24 hours before arrival as suggested, and to see Lucy at the National Museum. Unfortunately Lucy wasn't in. She's on tour for 3 years in the states. I then got to meet Ryan and Marta at an italian restaurant for lunch. Marta pack the food away and she's so tiny. Amazing! I had the pizza margarita. Not NYC but not bad. The flatbread and hummus was good too.

I've now arrived in Egypt. I've got to see the Giza Pyramid, the Sphinx, and cruise the Nile. I can't wait!

Awaiting the connection

I made it to DC. I've got 3 suitcases and 2 carryons. A big shout out to Eddie at United for not charging me for the extra luggage. A big BOO WHOO to ETA for making me cough up 210 for the extra luggage and weight. I'm also down to 1 carryon. That's not all that unfortunate as it was heavy. Let's all pray it makes it to ET unharmed as it has all the care packages in it. I stressed to the airline rep how important it is THAT particular bag makes it. Also, here's a tip...If flying ETA call ahead to the service center and tell them you have humanitarian aid and work out an arrangement. Don't take care of it at the airport as clearly it doesn't work in your favor. Good thing I can write this off.

t-1 til liftoff

The tickets are here. I just need to finish packing, charge up the electronics, and clean up the place.