Our journey back to Addis Ababa began at 4:30 AM, January 6, as we left our Orlando home for the airport. We were having unseasonably cold weather for Orlando, temperature about 31 F, which made for a very frosty send off. Our friends, Dr. Tom Allerton and Jake Dominey came to help us get to the airport. Kim, our daughter, came to see us. She brought her van over the night before, and we loaded our four pieces of luggage and two large boxes we were asked to bring. With the van and the car we were off to the airport.
We were concerned about the amount of luggage we had as we were certainly over the limit and were expecting to pay $600 for extra luggage. The organization sending the boxes had given us a check to cover the anticipated fees. A skycap helped us unload, and Don told him why we were going to Ethiopia; he asked us to wait outside while he got his supervisor. Shortly, the supervisor appeared and asked for our passports and tickets. He left us standing in the cold morning air while he went to speak with a manager about our mission. After some time he returned and said the fees had been waived, tagged our luggage, gave us our boarding passes and gate number; we could hardly believe our miracle. The lines inside were exceedingly long, so we were most fortunate for a curbside check in. The security lines were also long, but we moved quickly through and now had a two-hour wait for our 8:00 AM departure. We had no complaints, however, as we were grateful for the ease with which we were able to check in.
Our next good fortune came at O’Hare airport in Chicago when I asked for boarding passes for the Frankfort to Addis leg of the trip. I was given those passes and then handed two more. Not knowing why, I asked, “What are these for?”, and was told we were being bumped up to business class!! He got no arguments from me!! Don could hardly believe it when I told him what had happened. It was a wonderful flight, and as this was the longest part of the journey, we enjoyed the great seats and service.
Our journey from Frankfort got off to a late start. We had to wait in the airplane for over an hour for a tour group that arrived late for their connecting flight. They came on board and after some time the captain told us we were now waiting for a gentleman to leave the plane who had decided he didn’t want to take this flight, and his checked baggage had to be located and off-loaded. This was a bit unsettling as I wondered if this passenger knew something the rest of us did not. With such heightened security I was hoping the flight attendants would really search around where he had been seated. At this point the entire plane load could have gladly given him a piece of their minds.
Because of our late departure from Frankfort we arrived in Addis over an hour late. Our luggage was very slow being unloaded, and after about 45 minutes our last three pieces appeared. Now to get through customs. All our baggage was required to through the security machines and the piece with medical equipment opened. Don had to leave that at the airport, and Mr. Kim, the hospital administrator who came to meet us, said someone from the hospital would retrieve it later. We certainly hope so as it is wonderful equipment.
It was good to see Mr. Kim and others who came to help us with transportation. They were a very welcome sight; I was once again reminded of how kind everyone has been to us. Soon after we arrived in our apartment, others began to come to offer greetings and gifts of food. These gestures were special touches, especially since we were leaving some very dear ones back in Florida. It was so wonderful to be home and visit with family and friends, but so hard to say goodbye again.
And if I needed any more reassurance about coming back to Addis, I received it on Wednesday morning, Christmas Day in Addis. Jeeon, the eight year-old next door, knocked on our door about 9:00 AM and gave me such a huge hug and began to jump up and down in our little hallway. I have never been greeted with such excitement that would cause someone to jump up and down. She certainly “made my day.” Her sister, Heeon, soon joined us and juice and peanut butter crackers were offered, followed by Jeeon reading me a book. I was really tired with jet lag, but these little girls helped brighten my day and gave me some renewed energy to tackle unpacking and reorganizing our apartment.Lunch time in the dining room brought more special greetings from Korean hospital staff and the Ethiopian ladies who help prepare our food. After lunch, Mr. Kim took us to see the new apartments, but we think it will be sometime before they are ready to move in. The Internet connection is not installed, appliances aren’t in place, and the closet has no bars for hanging clothes. We are quite fine and comfortable in our present apartment, so are happy to wait until all is ready.
In the evening Mr. Kim took us for a quick trip to the grocery store and then to get pizza and soup. A good ending to our first day back in Addis, January 7, Christmas Day for the Ethiopians. (See slideshow in sidebar.)
-- Barb
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