On the way home

I will try to respond to the various comments on FB  and here when I get home, particularly to those parents whose children I met.  I also want to connect with people who will be traveling soon to brief you on the needs at Abanezer, there are many, lets work together for our current and impending children.  It was so strange that I had to leave "home" to go back home.  I truly feel that Ethiopia is my home as well as Canada.

Thank you to everyone for your support, prayers, financial assistance to us and the orphanage etc.  It meant so much to me to see that in less than 2 weeks this blog had over 2000 hits from Canada, US, Middle East, Africa, Germany, Honk Kong, even Australia.

Africa has many stories to tell and I hope to relay a few of them over the next couple of weeks.

Pictures!

Sid has been unable to get an internet connection to send new pictures but he finally was able to today.  Enjoy!

Announcing: Sophia Salem Dianne Vlieg

We have a daughter!  we passed court this morning.  While in a small waiting room with over 100 adoptive and biological families waiting to see the judge the enormity of this hit me.  I saw many parents walk out of court with big smiles and relief.  I also saw many biological families that were also very happy that their children have the opportunity for a good and privileged life, I was very sad for them and almost broke down a few times.  I also had a huge lump in my throat.  The emotions that I really went through are indescribable. The judge was a beautiful young woman who really appeared to want the best for the children and our families.  When see said that she is ours and it is irrevocable I broke down and could not stop until we were outside.  Prayers are answered!  I weep as I type this.  Afterwards Neil, Laura and myself went to the cafe next door.  They didn't have coffee, no coke, no Mirinda only water and Fanta; so we celebrated.  back to the hotel.to call Mommy about her daughter....best call ever!
I then went for a walk and met two men who worked at a near hotel.  They took me to a traditional cafe near Bole.  We had traditionally coffee that was roasted on the spot.  We were in a very small room sitting on very low stools and everyone was talking, Sudanese, Somali's and Ethiopians and me the white guy.  They had some fun teasing me.  Now I wait for Germacho to pick us up to go to the orphanage to "meet" our children.  There we will have a celebration as the staff there and children get the chance to say goodbye.  This will be very difficult, bitter sweet but good in the long run.

Decision Day Part Deux

I have a very good sleep last night and did not wake up to the Muslim call to prayer.  Woke up at 7:00! Whoopee! I feel great, the sun  is shining and getting quite hot.  Before breakfast I had my morning ritual coffee at Cafe Pearl.  Then I stopped at a Kiosk ( a 6"x6" version of 7/11) to buy snacks for at court; bottle of water, 1/2 oaf of local bread and some spicy tomato nuts for 11 birr (65 cents).  I was just delivered my breakfast in the lobby, smells great.  I have all of my documents ready including my passport.  I hope we pass today cause I want to have a goodbye party for the kids at the orphanage!

Can you spell P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E

This is the end of a very long day.  While waiting to go to court this morning, Neil, Laura and myself were commenting that this is not over yet and to expect the unexpected.  We got to court and were promptly told that the judge was staying home with a sick baby (can't get angry about that).  FRUSTRATING!!!!  Yeah that made me cry a bit again.  Maybe tomorrow because the judge has twice as many file will go more quickly through each....wishful thinking.

After I got back to the hotel I call my driver and friend Marcos to pick me up.  We first went to the Mercato, largest market in Africa with over 8000 vendors and as I found out 8 million customers and parking for 18 vehicles.  So I said lets skip it and go elsewhere.  Bought 2 kilos of fine Ethiopian coffee beans for about $2.50, I wish I could take more.  We also had a coffee there, best coffee in the world.  Next up was the Piazia (?) and actually ran into Elizabeth the director of the orphanage.  She is confident and praying that court will pass tomorrow. Last I went shopping at the vendors around the Post Office.  Much better and more managalbe to shop.  Highly recommended to future travels but hire a driver for the day.  If you stay to the AfroLand Guest House ask for Marcos, he lives 3 meters away and he will negotiate for you to make sure that they don't rip you off.  Don't be too afraid of the 1978 Datsun 1210 with one original tire, front seat belt doesn't work and to start it he puts two wire together.  he is a good driver and you would be lucky to drive faster than 25 km/h.  For about 5 hours with me he charged 400 birr, about $22.00 and he saved me at least that much in haggling and advice.  I decided to take him out for pizza for dinner at Italian Pizzaria, very good  food and fairly cheap.

Good restaurants on Meskal Flower and Bole that I have been to are
Back yard: Western food and music
Jewel of India towards Bole a little pricey for Addis but very good Indian food
Italian Pizzeria across street from Afroland: very nice space, good food, better pizza than Bruno's about same price.
la Parissienne Cafe almost at Bole, very nice outdoor patio, excellent coffee and croissants, good for breakfast
Pearl cafe: across street good coffee and cakes.  very good service.
Shebasha:  Check if they have music at the night you want.  very good Ethiopian food.  Try theTej - honey wine - live singers and dancers, quite noisy but recommended.

In the coming days I will blog about other musts and avoids.  Also about reasonable prices. If I am at the orphanage tomorrow I ask about what they need for donations.  Food purchase is always needed.

Please let me sleep, the judge show up and have a favorable judgement.  I need to party!

Day of Decision

I am off to court shortly.  Germacho will be picking another couple and myself up in an hour.According to what I am told a decision should be made within three hours.  I might no have internet connections until much later.  Probably about 9:00 AM Alberta time.  I had a horrible sleep last night, I must be a little anxious.  My stomach has just been churning.  I pray that it will go well.
Yesterday evening we had quite  a storm, torrential rain with a lot of nearby thunder and lightening.  At least I will not be alone at court, there is another couple from Edmonton that I have gotten to know as well as I have met some people from the USA who all have court today.  I hope that flights will be going through Europe on Friday as all the talk on the BBC is about the flights cancelled so far in Scotland.

Today's post is quite a ramble, that's how I feel.

The day before Court

Today, Monday, has been the most amazing day.  Elizabeth, the director of Abanzer, picked me up at 10:00 AM, and off to a market that gives good prices.  With some of you donations we bought:

• Formula,
• Tomato sauce
• quick oats
• marmalade
• rice
• soup stock
• wipes
• peanut butter
• toilet paper
• yeast
• baking powder

They are so thankful, they only had a couple of days left of formula and no money.  They were trying to buy on credit, now they can go about a month.  On our way back from the market we stopped at the original facility of the orphanage, Selam first stayed there.  It is still an orphanage but from another group. When we were unloading supplies staff and some children helped unload. 

I then went into the classroom where the children thank us all for the food.  Again they sang for me.  One girl about 10-11 sang Fishers of men in English for me.  Then as a group, like FFCA, they recited the English alphabet...A as in  apple B as in.....  Then they listed the parts of the body.  Finally they counted to 100.  Please note that 60 is pronounced SIXITY!

At this point Selam was out getting official send off pictures as tomorrow might be her last day at Abanezer.  When she came back she was so happy.  Lots of smiles and she kept grabbing my nose, good grip.  Then she would get a handful of my cheeks and pinch...ouch! Then I was fed lunch: Shiro Wat and scrambled eggs with hot peppers and eggs with Berberie (hot curry like spices). We then had another coffee ceremony, yummy.  One more visit with Selam before I left.  She put my finger in her mouth and she cut her first tooth today!

When I left I got many thankful hugs mixed with tears of joy from the staff, that i am passing on to you, because they do not have to worry about food for awhile.

I diarized this while at an outdoor cafe.  the guy sitting across from me is well dressed in a suit and is a dead ringer for Obama!  I bought a bottle of water and was charged 1.50 birr...about 9 cents.  Please remember to tip this people when you are here.

Please pray that court goes well tomorrow.  I will be picked up at 9:00 AM (midnight Alberta time)

Meeting Our Daughter for the First Time

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Well day two was great.  I slept okay but was awoken by the Muslim chants, singing, yelling and by all of the roosters.  I decided to walk in the morning.  I walked to Meskal Square.  It’s a huge square with sort of an amphitheater around 3 sides and the road on the other.  There were hundreds of people playing soccer on the gravel pitch, quite a sight to see.  Lots of joy around.  Almost every little boy that walked by with their mother wanted to shake my hand or high five me.  I felt like a rock star.  It rained most of my walk but I didn't really get cold or wet.  I stopped at a cafe called Khalidi's I think but really it was Starbuck with some hot food selections.  Their menu, decor, music and logo are strangely similar to Starbucks.

I had made arrangements with Germacho to b ring me to the orphanage.  It is in a relatively wealthy neighborhood but the side roads we wouldn't even drive a 4 x 4 on.  There I met the director Elizabeth, a fantastic caring woman who many of the children call mama.  Very shortly after i got there she brought me to the baby room and I saw Selam for the first time.  My eyes were pretty wet as they are now thinking of her.  She is so small but beautiful.  Almost right away she gave me a small smile and held my fingers.  When I pulled away she reached for my arm and put her hand on it.  I showed her a picture of her Mommy and new big sister Josina.  I am so proud of them and Selam.  The nanny's love these children so much and they just move around the room holding the baby's.  I think there were 11 or twelve in a room a little smaller than my own bedroom.  But it was so clean, no poopy smell anywhere.  I was toured around to meet all of the other children.  One little toddler boy Eyob is so cute and once he warmed up to me he wanted me to play with him and his train.

The orphanage is short of many supplies so today, Monday, we are going shopping for formula, medicine, sugar etc.  I was then taken to a room for a coffee ceremony.  One young girl on staff was roasting the green coffee been on a small charcoal fuel stove.  She served us slightly sweetened popcorn, two types of cold pancake; one of them was cooked with a lot of spice.  It was fantastic.  The coffee was the freshest you can ever have.  Roasted and ground minutes before serving, try that Tim Hortons!  A little boy came into the ceremony and asked in Amharic to Elizabeth if they could sing for me.  About 20 kids of all ages came in and sang three praise songs for me with actions and huge smiles.  It was so touching.  Apparently this is the first time they have done this.  I hope they do this for other people in the future.

I feel quite safe here walking out on the streets, even at night.  I have not seen an angry or upset person since I have been here.  I don't think we can say that in Canada. 

First day in Addis

I landed in Addis at 6:30 AM but only got 2-3 hours sleep on the plane.  Asefa picked me up and was at the hotel by 7:00.  My rom was not available until noon so they let me use a room to shower and shave, I was pretty rank.  They then made me breakfast while I waited for the bank to open.  At the bank they confiscated my camera while there.  Then time to explore.  Stopped at the Parisienne Cafe for a coffee (expresso) and a Mirinda (orange pop). Total was 11 Birr, about $0.80. Next time to buy a local SIM card for $4.00.  The streets are just packed with people, lots of beggars, very sad. All along the main streets are tiny shacks that have all sorts of stores in them,  People take pride in them, even sweeping the street in the front.  The women are dressed immaculately.

Note to all, cars will not stop or slow down for pedestrians.  Be very careful.  Has pizza and beer for lunch but just about fell asleep on the table. 4 hours sleep in two days.  So I went back to the hotel for a power nap.  I am having wireless issues in my room but not the lobby.  Facebook has locked me out for some reason.  I just Skyped Tammy, quite a challenge with the 8 second delay in audio and video. 

The best news is that I get to meet selam tomorrow.  They are picking me at 2:00 PM.  Time to find a place for dinner now, just about 8:00 PM.

London baby!

My flight was very long but I had a great seat mate.  We took the same program at U of A together and know some people in common.  I actually even tried to headhunt her father 5/6 years ago. I probably only got   2 hours of sleep since 4:30 AM on Thursday.  So a lot of sights here but first found a hole in the wall pub for Bitter and Fish n' Chip.  I have been walking around London for 4 hours and am exhausted.  Saw the Palace, Westminster Cathedral, Parliament, Tower bridge, Piccadilly Circus, Hyde park to name a few.  Now am having a Guinness at Henry's bar just outside Green Park.  At least today I haven't been as worried and anxious, probably too tired and busy.  I better sleep tonight on the plane but that's probably when I will start worrying again.  Man are the street busy with people everywhere, this will prepare me for Addis.  I can't get over how all the men are wearing suits; not blazers and ties, not business casual but actual suits.  It looks really good.  Taking the train from Tower bridge to Oxford Circus I thought I was gonna die from the humidity. I am probably a little rank, maybe that's why no one is sitting next to me at the bar.  Weather toady low 20's and sunny most of the time but a couple of rain drops came down at around 3:00 PM.  I talked to Tammy earlier and hope that her drive went well.  I heard Josina in the background and I really miss them both!

I was walking down Regent Street and I swear that I so Colin Firth and Bridgette Jones. Actually most middle aged men in suits look like Colin Firth here.  To all you Royal watchers Lizzie wants to give a shout out to Canada!

One continent down and one to go.

Next post Africa!

Cool the barkeep won't let me pay!  Maybe I should have another.

Journey has Begun

Well I am at the Calgary Airport now.  Parked and checked my bags all in less than 10 minutes.  Now I have some time I am sitting in Montana's having a glass of wine.  Went to work early today (6:00 AM) so I could get in a full day before leaving, not really sure if it was worth it as I was completely distracted.  People were thinking I was giving them dirty looks but in reality I was deep in thought going over my checklist again and again.  I must have checked my boarding pass, passport, cash and court documents about 20 times.  I am sure(?) that i haven't forgotten anything.  I am extremely excited but still nervous, I hope I will be able to sleep on the flight,; I have a big day in London, going to pubs for fish n'chips and ale!  It was really hard to say goodnight to Tammy and Josina last  night (No they are smart enough not to get up before 5:00AM).  I am going to miss them so much.

This is the most important trip of my life!

I sit here in Calgary and can see that we don't lack any necessities but am going some place where many are and I am trying to come to grips with that I will not be able to help them all.  I do know that we are going to make a difference in  one little girl's life (tear).  I also am so excited to be able to be the messenger of hope and caring from this part of the world.  I can't wait to be able to shop with someone form the orphanage and use your donations to get these children some of what they need.  As we have been receiving donations; cash, clothes and shoes, I have cried a little bit and I am sure that I will do some more when I am there.

Time to get going!

Last night before traveling

Well, we've checked the lists three or four times and still have missed things.  I have to pick up a few things on the way to the airport.  Cleaned the kitty litter.  Put my little girl to bed, am I ever going to miss her. Going to go to work early tomorrow, then go straight to the airport.  I can't say that I am particularly anxious right now, more tired than anything.  I have all my bags packed and sitting at the door.  I think I am ready.

By the way we have now raised almost $1200 in donations.  On behalf of the children in the orphanage Thank You!

Mixed Emotions

Today Tammy found out a friend's child who was still in Ethiopia passed away.  My heart completely goes out to them, as Tammy said it is beyond devastating.  I can't put into words how I feel but I have shed a few tears.  I am actually more worried about our little girl, please pray for her and the other children waiting to come home.  Most of all please remember the families who have lost children overseas. 

Driving home from work I was listening to the first hand accounts of the horrible fire in Slave Lake.  So far it looks like no lives were lost but everything else was.  As you can see it really wasn't a good day.

But I also have good news. As you know we are raining donations for the orphanage in Addis Ababa.  People we barely know have been donating.  I want to continue to thank them and can't wait to share how there donations have helped.  We are at just about $1200 after less than a week of fundraising.  This will go so far there.  Tammy has also packed a big suitcase of clothes and shoes for the children.  Some of from our daughter Josina and much of it donated by people we know.  THANK YOU  ALL.

I think I am just about packed,  Tammy went to Wal-Mart and got me enough underwear to make it through the trip. Thanks honey.  Now I have to make through two more days at work while being just a little distracted.  No I am not a surgeon, thank god.   Start the malaria pills tomorrow.

Finished my wine so time for bed

Starting to get Nervous

Less than three days until I leave, less than one week until I get to meet my little girl for the first time.  I am getting a little nervous.

• Do we have all the right documents, signed, dated and notarized
• Did I take the money order
• Where is the passport, will I forget it at home
• Will I loose these papers on the way
• Will our court date get cancelled
• Will the judge have wisdom?
• Does the hotel really have my reservation and are they going to be at the airport to pick me up?
• Am I going to meltdown when I am walking into the orphanage to meet Selam next Monday? Will she like me.

All I am doing is worrying...I need some peace, sleep and rest.

I'm exhausted - 4 More days

I was sitting in church this morning and daydreaming about the journey of the last 8-9 years that has lead to this time next week when I get to meet my daughter for the first time.  Without the support (Financial, emotional and prayer) of family and friends and strangers we would never have gotten this far. When I come to think about it, I have never had an accomplishment that I did all by self.  There was always someone else helping, pushing or pulling.  There really aren't any solo accomplishments but there are solo failures.  Win together; lose along?  We have needed many people on this journey and will need them even more later this year when we bring our little girl home.

I also just spent an hour on hold with Air Canada just to confirm my baggage allowance. I need the 2nd bag to bring clothing donations to the orphanage.  We are also asking for cash donations so that I can buy formula, food or other supplies that the orphanage needs for the children.  So far we have raised $250.  If any of you can afford it and have it in your heart to make a donation please send me a message.

Busy day

Well today I kept my mind off of the trip by finishing the building of the swing/slide set for Josina and hopefully her little sister.  When we brought Josina out and told her it was done and that she could use...well I don't think I have ever seen her so happy.

This makes it all worth it.  Now she needs a little sister to play on it with.  Only a few days left to gather what I will need to travel.  Got my shots! Got new convertible cargo pants for traveling! Money Belt, New knapsack, travel pillow, gottem all.  Need to get a certified copy of my ID, passport, DL, and my Yellow fever shot card.  Now have 1 relaxing day (Sunday), 4 days of work then up in the air.

Just about time for bed....I had 3 or was four glasses of wine...doesn't matter they were good

T minus 5 days to ADD

Got up a little early today.  My 2 year old daughter decided to climb a shelving unit in her room at 6:30 and fell down and got scared.  Tammy had to change our daughters wet sheets and then she went back to bed.  I made Josina poached eggs for the first time this morning and she asked for seconds.  The children in the orphonages in Ethioipia I am sure don't get the chance to have seconds.  At least Josina appreciates her food.  I asked her what she thought of her poached eggs and she said "Delicious" and then went back to licking up the ketchup off of her plate.

 Today I have to finish building the girls their swing/slide set.  Then I have to decide if I am getting a travel phone through Roam Mobility.  No roaming charges and the per m inute rates are quite a bit lower than Bell or Rogers.  Not sure if it will be cheaper than buying a phone in Addis.  I am just trying to keep busy at home and prpearing logistically for the trip.  I am trying not to think of meeting our little girl or going to court, those are the things that sorta scare me and are making me nervous.  It's a little easier trying to plan what i am going to do on my layover at Heathrow and the like.

First Time Blogging

The reason why I am blogging is to share and document my thoughts leading up to and going on my journey to Africa to meet our daughter for the first time.  For those of you who don't know my wife Tammy and I have been trying to adopt from Ethiopia for over three years with many speed bumps and obstacles along the way.  In six days (next Thursday May 19) I fly to Addis Ababa via London and arrive in  Ethiopia on Saturday May 21.  Next Tuesday May 24 I go before a judge to find out if he feels that we will be worthy parents.  We have had to do a lot of preparation for this trip; gather various documents, get them notarized, then find out the documents have been change so start again and get them notarized.; get my shots; take my pills etc.  This weekend I should get my packing done an d finish building the play structure for the kids. I hope that you will follow my blog over the next 2 weeks and keep us in your thoughts and prayer, particularly on Court day, Tuesday May 24.

SJV