One of the things that American tourists may not be familiar with is the practice of bargaining while shopping. Except in the case of yard sales or big ticket items, in America most people assume that prices are non-negotiable. But in Ethiopia no shopkeeper will be suprised if you haggle over prices. In fact recently I read somewhere that in Africa a person is sometimes insulted if you don't bargain a little. Bargaining in Africa is a form of sociability and the feeling is, 'What? You don't want to talk with me?'

However, there are definitely two schools of thought among tourists. The... more

One of the many paperwork tasks facing the parent of a newly arrived adopted child is to apply for the child's social security card. You will need a social security number or an ATIN (alternative tax identification number) to claim your child for taxes.

To get the social security number you will need to go to your local social security office and bring the following documents

-parents' birth certificates -Ethiopian adoption decree -child's green card

If you have legally completed your child's readoption in the U.S., you should bring that court decree as well. I have always... more

Some people get through their whole time in Ethiopia without walking anywhere, preferring instead to take cabs wherever they go. I've really enjoyed the independence of doing at least some walking around Addis on my own, at least around the area of my hotel or guesthouse. But there are some things to watch out for.

WHO HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY?

First of all, it is up to the walker to avoid the cars, and not the other way around. Drivers prefer not to hit pedestrians, but driving is pretty crazy there, and given the choice between hitting a car and crowding someone walking alongside the road, most drivers will tend to veer towards the walkers.

The concept... more

(This post was submitted as part of the Adoption Roundup over at Adventures in Daily Living. This week's theme is attachment)

After a new child comes home it can be tricky to figure out how to nurture both the new relationship with your child and the existing relationship with your partner. People these days tend to think that going out on dates with your spouse is an essential part of a healthy relationship. Our society also places a tremendously high value on independent children.

Because of that, new moms sometimes feel pressured to have time away from their newly arrived... more

When families decide to adopt from Ethiopia, often their eyes are opened to the tremendous need there. That need is way too enormous to be addressed through adoption alone. Currently there are 4 million orphans in Ethiopia. In 2006, 732 children came to new adoptive families in the U.S. Though adoption was a great solution for those children, it is obviously not helping the vast majority of the needy people in Ethiopia.

So what can a family do? Some adoption agencies have programs that help the community from which children come. Adoption Advocates... more

Lots of people are familiar with postpartum depression, the depression that strikes women in the first year or so after giving birth. But fewer people are aware that adoptive mothers can experience something similar after new children come home.

The adoption process can be a roller-coaster. So much focus is on the future, when this new child will finally be here, that mothers are often surprised when the reality does isn't quite like they imagined it would be. Even experienced parents can be left reeling, especially if the child takes a while to settle in or resists bonding at first.

An ... more

I wrote earlier about adoptees and the possibility for lifelong grief issues. There may be a lull of 6 months or a year where they don't ask any questions or mention their birth family. Then they may think about it lots for several months, and ask lots of questions. But not all children ask questions spontaneously.

Be aware of your own feelings.

Often I hear parents say that their kids aren't interested in talking about birth family or their feelings about being adopted. For some children that may actually be true. But many children will be relieved if parents open doors... more

I found an interesting post on a blog called Jessica's Rants. Jessica is an American woman working in Addis and living at the Hilton. She talks about observing the many adoptive families who now stay at the Hilton while in Ethiopia picking up their children. If you plan to stay at the Hilton, you'll probably enjoy her observations.

She mentions getting sick twice from eating at the Hilton. A few years back, the Hilton breakfast buffet had a reputation for causing stomach woes, but I hadn't... more

Though I am passionate about the benefits of adoption travel, I understand that there are perfectly valid and sensible reasons that people choose to have their children escorted. So how can you get a little taste of Ethiopia without getting on a plane?

BOOKS

Start by buying a good guidebook to Ethiopia (yes, even if you're not going!) The commentary that goes along with the maps and hotel recommendations can give you a good idea of what it is like to be there. The Bradt Guide to Ethiopia by Phillip Briggs is probably my favorite. I like the style of the writing. There are some good maps,... more

When you're planning to go to Ethiopia to pick up your baby, it can be hard to know what is important to bring. Here's my list of the most essential items to have in Ethiopia.

DIAPER SUPPLIES

Diapers--Plan for at least 10 diapers per day for every day you will be there. For a week I'd pack 70 diapers. Don't forget to account for the flight home. That sounds like a lot, I know. But many babies and toddlers have diarrhea and go through diapers REALLY fast. You can buy more diapers in Addis, but the quality is not nearly as good as those available in the USA. (translation:... more