KVI Orphanage - Coffee Ceremony

April 30 - Yesterday at 1:00pm we had our interview at the U.S. Embassy. For being one of the most significant steps in this whole process, it occurred with no fanfare of any kind. It took less than 5 minutes. We weren't allowed to have cameras in the Embassy building so no photos of the big, but brief, event. 

Today was another big event - the Coffee Ceremony. Yosef picked us up at the hotel at 9:45. We went to the office of our agency and picked up Huwit, the adoption agency rep, and Rahel, the angel who found Tigist when she was only 3 months old. We then proceeded to the orphanage for the Coffee Ceremony. 

Rahel with TG. Priceless. 

One of the most important nannies at the orphanage is Zawditu (means princess). She cared for, and loved, TG from the first day she arrived at the orphanage. She was so emotional during the ceremony and it was so hard for her to say goodbye. 

Another of the nannies. TG remembered her very well, and ran to her with arms wide. We regret not writing down her name. She was very kind. 

Here's the entire toddler room waiting for TG to enter. They were chanting her name, and they were so excited to see her again. 

Rahel brought traditional scarves for Carrie and me to wear. Very thoughtful!

The formal ceremony started with remarks by the orphanage Program Manager, Salom, pictured below with Carrie and TG. She expressed how the orphanage's mission is to care for the children, and the rewards they recieve for their hard work far outweigh their salaries. She also said how happy the staff is to see TG going to live with a loving family. TG will be missed, but not forgotten. Then Salom let Rahel tell the heart wrenching story of how, when and where she found TG on that fateful day 18 months ago. Although Rahel spoke only in Amharic we knew the story, and the entire room was in tears. Then Carrie made a very eloquent speech about how our hearts are filled with happiness to have TG in our lives, and that we will always remind her to be proud of who she is and where she came from. It was intensely happy and sad all at the same time. 

Then it was time for coffee!

And popcorn, as is the tradition. 

Some pictures are worth far more than 1,000 words...

Later this afternoon, we went back to our agency's office to pick up TG's Ethiopian passport. ADORABLE!

This represents the FINAL STEP in the long adoption process. Needless to say, it's been very much worth the wait!!  We'll be home Sunday night!!!

Day Seven

April 28 - Good morning Monday!

Before lunch we sat outside and played in the courtyard. 

The staff at The Adot Tina Hotel have taken a liking to TG, and vice versa. One very special lady is this waitress, also named Tigist. 

Walk Around Addis

April 27 - While TG napped this afternoon, and Carrie rested with an e-book, I took a long walk around our area of Addis Ababa. This city was founded in 1887 by the King of Showa, who became Emperor Menelik II in 1889, and christened Addis Ababa ("New Flower") by his wife, Empress Taitu. The King of Showa moved his capital city from Ankober (about 75 miles northeast of Addis) because of the warmer climate and presence of natural hot springs. After just five years, the new and growing capital city was on the verge of collapse due to rapid deforestation and lack of firewood. In a bizarre twist, it was a stand of eucalyptus trees planted by a foreign resident in 1894 that would save Addis Ababa. Menelik II's Swiss adviser, Alfred Ilg, pointed out how quickly these trees grow as well as how straight and strong the limbs are (good for building houses). Instead of moving the capital again, Menelik II decided to import huge quantities of eucalyptus seedlings from Australia.

So, I left our hotel and headed generally northwest, I think, toward the Old Palace enclosure.  This is where the current Prime Minister lives, and where several centuries of Ethiopian kings also resided (photos not allowed). There are five large Orthodox churches on the grounds, two of which I was particularly interested in seeing: Kiddist Maryam and St. George. 

Kiddist Maryam sits in a heavily wooded grove that makes it difficult to see until you're practically in front of it. This is the approach to the main entrance. Built in 1911 by Empress Zawditu, the daughter of Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taitu, as a memorial to her parents. 

Tortoises roam freely around the church in a park-like setting. 

There are 8 stone lions that guard the church; 2 at each of the 4 entrances. 

Inside the church was a grand rotunda with beautiful murals on the cardinal walls depicting significant events in Ethiopia's rich history. This one shows the initial meeting of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba in Jerusalem in about 1,000 BC. In the center of the rotunda is The Holy of Holies where the Tabot, a replica of the Ark of the Covenant, is kept. 

The paintings and icons had an oddly European look owing to design assistance from the French. 

Below the church is an eerie subterranean chamber of major historical significance. This is the mausoleum of Menelik II, his wife Taitu (left), and his daughter (right). Incense is kept burning at all times, so the space had a very smoky and mysterious quality. 

At the foot of the sarcophagi is this amazing three dimensional representation of Jesus in his tomb. I couldn't tell what it was made of but it was mesmerizing. A small silver plaque at the feet had Greek letters on it. Even the Abba (priest) didn't know what it said. 

At every step of the way, the Abba was providing a narrative and explaining the importance of everything in the room. Here he is describing how the drums were used. The large end was beaten to call people in from the countryside because it is very loud. The small end was beaten to call members of the royal family because it was very delicate and not as loud. He demonstrated the large end, and he was right. VERY LOUD!

At one time the remains of King Haile Selassie were held in this underground room. His body was unceremoniously kept here by his successor, the Ethiopian Communist dictator Mengistu (a seriously bad guy who actually smothered the King with a pillow on August 27, 1975), until his formal burial in November 2000 at nearby Holy Trinity Cathedral. This photo shows the sarcophagus of one of King Selassie's daughters who died at the age of 22 giving birth to her son. Her photo is on the wall. 

These are the last actual thrones used by Emperor Menelik II and Taitu. 

And this shows the last actual thrones used by King Haile Selassie and his wife. 

This was an incredibly small space packed full of historical artifacts and great stories!

Down the hill from Kiddist Maryam is St. George Church. Although of little historical significance, it is the place in Addis favored by those living with leprosy and other crippling diseases. Because today is Sunday, there were many such people surrounding the east side of the church praying and begging for help of any kind. Taking pictures in those areas didn't seem appropriate which is why this angle makes it look almost deserted. Believe me, that was not the case on the opposite side. 

One of two new gates being built at St. George Church. 

Day Six

April 27 - Turns out TG likes the box her shoes came in as much as she likes her shoes... maybe more. She has turned it into a purse/lunch box/toy chest/supply cabinet. She enjoys putting things in, arranging them neatly, then taking them out again and starting over. 

Here, she spied one of her waiter friends walk by. I think she's trying to tell us it's lunch time. 

This is TG's first solo bath!  Each previous night she's needed some help from mom in the tub, but this evening she decided she was ready to try it alone. No turnin' back now. 

All cleaned up and ready for dinner. She's explaining to us that she's ready to go NOW!

Day Five

April 26 - Today was quiet and relaxing around the hotel. TG got some new shoes and had fun breaking them in. She did a lot of walking!

Day Four

April 25 - Another day of progress with TG, and with the adoption process. We learned this morning that the final document, the medical report, has been received by our agency and we can now schedule the all important embassy appointment. We're expecting it to happen on Monday. Our agency has also scheduled the traditional coffee ceremony at the orphanage for Tuesday. This is a time for the nannies to say their final goodbyes to Tigist. This will no doubt be a very emotional event because the nannies provided so much love for TG since she was 3 months old.

With these two things complete, we will be finished with this long and arduous journey. The bureaucratic process has been frustrating, but being here in Ethiopia experiencing the people, culture, history, traditions, music, language, food, etc. has been life changing. This is a remarkable place!!!  We can't wait to come home, but at the same time it will be hard to leave. 

Last night, TG taking in her first movie. 

This morning after breakfast we discovered flowers, and TG picked one to keep. 

The guards at the hotel took a break so TG kept an eye on things for a while. 

Even potty time is fun around here.

TG has a new friend...

And she took her friend out for lunch. 

Day Three

April 24 - Another wonderful day is coming to a close. We're sitting outside waiting for dinner time to roll around, and enjoying a very pleasant evening. TG continues to show signs of acceptance. She was more animated today; funny noises, cute expressions and lots of smiles. 

We went out for a while with our driver to run a few errands. We got a couple of things done, but learned an important lesson the hard way: It's never a good idea to let your little one drink a cup of milk while driving around Addis Ababa. The roads here are VERY rough, and (apparently) TG's stomach is VERY sensitive. Know what I mean?  She handles milk just fine, and she handles car rides just fine, but the combination is nasty. Oh, well. 

So, here are a few random photos from today. 

TG's reaction to Carrie tickling her. 

And TG's reaction to Carrie massaging her back. It put her in a trance. 

Day Two

April 23 - Last night we learned our little princess is a very good sleeper, in addition to being a good eater. She did very well last night - slept peacefully and woke up with a clean diaper. We had a big breakfast together and just finished lunch. Now it's nap time. 

Tigist seems very comfortable at the hotel. There are several adopting families from Spain here, and we're all mingling and having a great time. Good for the kids to have playmates. 

A New Beginning

April 22 - This morning was full of anticipation for us. Our faithful driver, Yosef, picked us up at 9:30. We did some last minute shopping: socks, a cup, a stuffed animal, and a potty for Tigist. We arrived at the orphanage around 10:15. Today was the big day!  Tigist was leaving the orphanage and the nannies knew it. They were so sad to see TG leave, but they were very happy they got to know us a little over the past few weeks. They know TG will grow up in a very loving family and that she will be very happy. We stayed for about a hour; long enough to feed TG her morning snack and to say goodbye.

We arrived back at our hotel around 11:45 and let TG get acclimated. She already seems very happy, but certainly a little confused about her new surroundings. She loves pink, so we blew up a balloon and let her play for a while, then we ordered lunch. After we ate together she went right down for a nap. She's sleeping comfortably now. 

Our scheduled departure from Addis Ababa is 10:00 tonight, but due to circumstances beyond our control, we'll be extending our stay for at least another week. There is an essential document that we have not yet obtained from the local government which is preventing us from scheduling the required Embassy appointment. Our hope is to have that document by end of this week so we can schedule Embassy sometime next week. Then we can all come home together and not have to make a second trip, as we originally planned.