A great way to pass some time while waiting to travel is to do some reading about the sights and activities in the Addis area and plan some things that you would like to do. Most people choose to do some shopping. You can read about bargaining here. I found a beautiful mesob that I was able to bring home. There are also museums, restaurants,... more

In the past, most families who have flown to Ethiopia to adopt children have been able to take custody of their children as soon as they arrive. This makes sense: in general by the time families arrive in Ethiopia, the adoptions are already complete in Ethiopian courts.

However, recently some adoptive families have reported that at least one agency is currently requiring that parents stay in the agency-sponsored guesthouse if they wish to take custody of their children immediately and keep them the whole time they are in Ethiopia.

There are rumors that the Ethiopian Ministry of Women's Affairs is concerned about the high visibility of adoptive families in Ethiopia, and... more

When it is finally time to book airfare, your head can be in such a whirl that the little details can be hard to remember. Here are a few reminders. First of all, if you check prices at a website like Expedia.com or other popular sites to book travel, you will probably find prices to be quite a bit higher than if you get tickets through a travel agent who specializes in travel to Africa. It is possible to get tickets in the range of $1400-$2500 for a flight from the U.S. to Ethiopia, including connecting flights. In general, airfare is highest in summer, and as far as airlines go, Ethiopian Airlines usually has the lowest prices.

One of the perks of using a travel agent who is... more

Recently I have learned more about a new airline option from the U.S. to Ethiopia. In the past I have blogged about Ethiopian, Lufthansa and British Airways. But these days some families are opting for Emirates Air.

Emirates is a really top notch airline. Families say that it is luxurious even in coach, and does a great job of accommodating babies and children.... more

One of the things that people really like to be able to do from Ethiopia is to e-mail family and friends and tell them how things are going in-country. However, the vast majority of Addis has only dial-up. This can make even a short note from Addis take a ridiculously long time to send. And if you are trying to send pictures, you'll most likely really be frustrated.

However, there are a few tricks that make internet use a little less painful in Ethiopia. First of all, before you go to Ethiopia, set up a Yahoo email account for whomever is traveling. Other travelers to Ethiopia have reported that yahoo had been the most reliable email.

Make sure that you know your password,... more

I just found out about a new guesthouse in Addis and thought other adoptive families might like to know about this option as well. The New Flower Guest House is located in the Bole Road area of Addis not too far from the Bole Airport. The facility was opened by a woman with a strong interest in adoption. Because of this, the staff has been specially trained to be supportive to adoptive families.

The guesthouse has two floors and six bedrooms. There is a shared living room and dining room on the main level, as well as three bedrooms. The first bedroom has a king sized bed, a private bathroom and a balcony. The second bedroom has... more

If you’re planning to go pick up your child, you may be wondering what kinds of things there are to do while in Addis. You’ll probably want to pick up the Lonely Planet Guide to Ethiopia as it is a helpful resource. Some internet places you can visit include: www.gondarlink.org.uk/guide www.whatsupaddis.com www.ethiopiatravel.com

The National Museum is a very popular tourist destination in Addis.   This famous museum, close to the University of Addis Ababa Graduate School,... more

One memorable feature about both of my previous flights to Ethiopia was a ridiculously long layover in an unfamiliar airport. My worst experience so far has been a seven-hour layover in the pit of Terminal 4 at London-Heathrow.

Cigarette smoke wafted everywhere out ridiculous open-topped smoking rooms. You had to pay a king's ransom for a pack of gum. And it took us hours of wandering around the place to find a decent set of benches that were in a quiet enough area and arm-rest-free so that we could actually lie down and rest... more

Several readers have written asking me how it worked to bring our 2 and 5 year old along on our most recent adoption trip, and so I thought I'd share some of the highs and lows to possibly help other puzzle out their own travel decisions.

Probably the most difficult thing, and one I did not really think much about beforehand, was the jetlag that both of my little girls experienced. Yes, they napped in Ethiopia, and went to bed early every night. But still there were times when the jetlag made them overly tearful and/or cranky.

About the time... more

Restaurants-- Center Of The City

Breezes Location: Poolside at the Sheraton in Addis Type of food: Mexican, American, Asian. Iced Coffees. Other: more expensive than average ($11-$20 USD) ---------- Ghion Traditional Restaurant Location: in Ghion Hotel, Menelik Ave Type of Food: Ethiopian Other notes: Traditional dancing most nights after 7 pm. ------------- Cottage Restaurant & Pub Location: near Harambee Hotel and Ghion Hotel on Desta Demtew Ave Type of food: Swiss food and pizza. Other notes: Affordable prices ($5-$8 USD) --------------------... more