Couples who are expecting their first child and who are both game to travel have an easy choice when it comes to bringing a traveling companion. Of course they will go together. In the case of a single mom, or a family who already has children, the choices get tougher. Often one partner will need to stay home to take care of the family remaining behind. How do you pick someone to travel with you if you don't have a spouse available? Here are some characteristics you're bound to find valuable in a travel partner.

Healthy

Is that person healthy and able to walk a fair amount? It is possible to get a cab to take you many places. But often walking is the... more

One of the initial draws of Ethiopia for many people is the option to have your child escorted to the U.S. instead of traveling. Sometimes people prefer not to travel because they have health problems or fear flying. Others have young children at home that they don't feel good about leaving. Still others just want to leave their options open and not have to commit to travel early in the adoption process.

Travel decisions are not easy. I totally understand the concerns about leaving children while traveling to bring home a new child. My husband and I have spent hours agonizing about who to bring and who would be OK at home during an adoption. And when I am in the middle of a 12... more

There's big news in the world of international adoption these days. The countries sending the most orphans to the US are all being affected. So what's up?

China (sent 6,493 children to the US in 2006) On May 1st, China made their adoption laws much more restrictive. Overweight? Diabetic? On anti-depressants? Over 50? You probably won't be adopting from China. Why the changes? Currently China has fewer babies being abandoned and more domestic adoption happening. The new laws are simply a way of thinning out the ranks of adoptive families eager for baby girls. Russia (sent 3,706 children to the US in 2006) In Russia,... more

One of the things that adoptive parents find themselves wondering about in Ethiopia is the weather. Before I knew much about Ethiopia, I assumed that being so close to the equator, Ethiopia was probably a hot dry place. Many countries that close to the equator ARE hot. But thanks to the protective effect of the high elevation in Addis, the weather is actually very temperate. Temperatures get as high as the low 80's during the day, and rarely dip below 50 degrees at night, year-round.

When I traveled to Addis, I did bring a jacket, but didn't need it very much. Once thing to keep in mind about the weather, though, is that rain can come with only a few minutes' warning, especially... more

The BBC News reported on Friday that the fighting in Somalia has halted for the moment after the Ethiopian forces chased Somalian insurgents out of the suburbs of Mogadishu. According to the U.N., heavy fighting in the past two months has caused more displaced people in Somalia than in any other country in the world.

Stephanie Bunker, spokeswoman for UN relief coordinator John Holmes, said at least 350,000 people had fled fighting in Mogadishu since February. There is also concern for those trapped in the city, where more than 600 have died from acute diarrhoea and cholera. (Source: BBC 'Worst Refugee Crisis')

... more

When you're heading for a third world country to pick up a child, there's something that kicks in and makes you want to be prepared for every eventuality. But watch out-- on most airlines each traveler is allowed to check only two 50-pound bags, and you can't use your new child's luggage allowance until the way home. Here are some tips for making the most of that precious luggage space.

Start a list at least a month ahead of time. Every time you think of something you might want to bring, jot it down on the list. You can start your list with... more

When flying to Ethiopia, perhaps the most popular and most consistently affordable airline option is Ethiopian Airlines. I have not personally flown Ethiopian. But if prices continue as they are, it will definitely be an option I will consider when we travel later this year.

Flights to Ethiopia leave the U.S. from Washington D.C./Dulles Airport. Ethiopian Airlines refuels in Rome, with no one getting off the plane, arriving in Addis about 18 hours after leaving Washington D.C. One really awesome advantage to Ethiopian is that you arrive in Ethiopia sooner. Depending on layovers, it is possible to get to Ethiopia from the western U.S.... more

When we traveled to Ethiopia in 2005, we flew British Airways from Chicago through London and Jordan. Across the ocean there were TV screens in every seat back, which was a nice thing since we were traveling with a 3 year old. The service was good, the food was decent, and the crew was friendly.

They gave us bulkhead seats on the way over, which was a mixed blessing. Yes, we had a bit more foot room. But we had to store our bags in the overhead bins, making it very difficult to access things we needed to occupy the three year old. Also, the bulkhead seat TV’s are on swivel arms which raise up out... more

Adoptive families choose among three main options for air travel from the U.S. to Ethiopia: Lufthansa, Ethiopian Airlines, and British Airways. I'll talk about Lufthansa first, as it was our first experience with flying to Ethiopia, and discuss the pros and cons of the other main choices in future posts.

We flew Lufthansa from the Pacific Northwest through Frankfurt and Cairo to Ethiopia in February, 2004. We booked travel with Susan Parr Travel, an agency that specializes in Ethiopian travel and has a reputation for finding excellent rates. At the time, Lufthansa was the most affordable... more

A reader emailed me because she was wondering how to handle her money when she was in Ethiopia. It's a good question. Adoption travel to a third world country is a bit different than a trip to Hawaii, and the typical money 'rules' are a little different.

You will most likely not be able to change money until you get to Ethiopia, as none of the other airports have birr, as far as I have been able to find out. You will need to bring your US money mostly in cash. $50 bills are best, and they need to be 1997 or newer, with very little wear or wrinkles. Contact your bank at least a week ahead of your trip for help in gathering new money. If the money is too worn, many... more