What a whirlwind the 17 days have been. I am going to attmept to provide a recap of all that has happened...hold on tight!
On June 14,at 7am, we left Lexington's airport and began our own amazing race! After layovers in DC and then at JFK, we were supposed to get to Cairo, Egypt for our 11 hour layover which would allow us to tour the pyramids. Well, things didn't go exactly as planned. Our flight was delayed over 3 hours, and by the time we arrived in Cairo, got our visas and met up with the tour guide, the gates were closing at the pyramids. We managed to squeeze in some adventure still. Our tour guide took us through the Egyptian museum, which was very neat. Then we stopped at a pharmacy for some meds. I was feeling quite under the weather with sinus issues...no problem....a zpac for only $10 and no prescription was just what the doctor didn't have to order! Our next stop was quite the comedy of errors. We were taken to a perfumery--a place where they mix essential oils. John and I, being the goofy tourists that we are, had somehow missed her explanation of this stop. We thought we were at a restaurant, at first. Well, they began to show us all these oils and rub them on each of our fingers. We are just having a good time, drinking our free colas and sniffing away. Finally, it all starts to make sense as we are presented with an array of gift packages and price points. Yes, we are suckers and did come home with some lovely essential oils! Then we raced off to look at the pyramids from outside the gate. Luckily, there was a camel there and some very nice gentlemen who took our camera and took pictures of us for a nice tip! Finally, we stopped for some Egyptian food--some tasty sandwiches, then back to the airport...only 4 hours from Addis Ababa!
Before we left our house, I told John, "Just get me to Ethiopia, and then I will know what to do." True to my word, I managed to get us through the VISA line, to the baggage claim, and then to meet our driver who had to come out at 4 am to get us! By 5 am, we were snuggled in on our box springs at the guest house listening to the morning call to prayer! After a few short hours of sleep, we were off to get our baby girl!
While it was not a shock for me this trip, it is still sobering to see the poverty everywhere you turn as you drive through the city. We really have no idea here in the US what being poor is! Even the poor here are rich compared to the poor in Ethiopia. Our money does not bring us peace or joy, because you can see more of that on the impoverished streets of Ethiopia than in most places here in the USA.
I digress...
Being back at the transition house was very surreal! We went upstairs to the room where Kamise stayed. It was obvious that her sweet caregiver had prepared her for us. She was sqeaky clean and all dressed up to meet us. My first thought as I saw her again was a little bit of shock at how small she is. I am not sure how or why, but I was convinced she would be bigger. Actually, I do know why, her personality is bigger than life, so I believe this gives the illusion of her being a much bigger child. Kamise was very loved and doted on by all of the nannies at the transition house. I cannot begin to express enough gratitude and appreciation for what they do! What heroes they are, to love and train these children, and then to let them go to their forever families. It must be emotionally draining. I would expect them to keep themselves detached, but they don't at all. I LOVE THESE WOMEN!!!! After a couple of hours, we departed the transition house with our sweet, scared little girl. She fell asleep in the car on the way back to the guest house. She was really somber and quiet when she awoke. I cannot imagine how scared and confused she must have felt when she awoke in this new place away from everything that is familiar. By bedtime, she has shared some smiles with us though.
On Thursday, June 17, we went to the US Embassy for our appointment. All went well, and I shed my first tears as the US official congratulated us on our new daughter. (I know you all must be surprised that my first tears weren't shed until now...I told you it was all surreal.) We finished our day by celebrating with the other families at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant. Kamise loved it. She ate her weight in food, dancing and charming her way through the whole meal!
On Friday, the honeymoon came to an end. I don't even know how to explain the chain of events, but I ended up sitting on the sidewalk crying, being comforted by the doorman at the Hilton of Ethiopia while Kamise is throwing the temper tantrum of all tantrums, and John is rightfully panicking about the upcoming 30 hour plane ride home. As the doorman explained to me, "The mind is a powerful thing. Give her space." This worked after what seemed like an eternity. My cute baby girl was covered in grit and grime from the parking lot where she threw her fit, but she was back...well pretty much. It was so heartbreaking to watch her grieve and not be able to fix it.
Saturday was our last official day since our flight left at 4 am on Sunday, June 20th. We ventured away from the guesthouse and to a mall and supermarket for some delicious lasagna, some Ethiopian coffee to take home, and a few more souveniers.
Our trip home was exhausting to say the least. At the airport in Addis, Kamise was one unhappy camper. I know she must have been scared and still grieving. She screamed and cried and screamed and cried as we waited to board the plane...not a pretty sight for people who are boarding a plane at 4 am. It was very trying and difficult, and unfortunately, we were the only adoptive family around, so it felt very lonely. With each of our next 3 flights, things got a little better. I think she was able to relax and realize we weren't going to leave her--you could see her trust increasing. At one point, I think on our 3rd flight, she looked at John and I smiling. She turned our heads toward one another and made a kissing noise. She wanted us to kiss, and after we gave each other a peck, she planted her own big sloppy kisses on our cheeks. It was a precious, precious moment! I won't go into details about our JFK fiasco, but just know that a 3 hour layover is NOT enough to get through immigration, customs, and to your gate. I ran like I have never (nor ever) run again! I think the poor stewardess thought I was going to drop dead as we entered the plane after being whisked there on a bus! Who knew two red faced, sweaty, smelly white travellers with a black baby could get such service!
Our arrival home was magical, though! Despite the late hour, we had a great turnout of family and friends to welcome Kamise home. She did remarkably well. It is a sweet memory that I will always chrerish...a moment I had daydreamed about many many times...coming down the escalators with a baby in my arms. Thank you, Lord!!!
I will have to continue at another time about our days since we have been home. It has been a wonderful transition. A friend and I were talking the other day about how surprisingly smooth the transition has been. My friend stopped to say that we shouldn't be surprised because these moments have been covered in prayer. What a sweet reminder! And so it is like it has been with each of our kids, we look up one day and wonder, "What did we ever do without her?"
