One thing that I always try to do when I go to Ethiopia to adopt a child is to bring supplies to the orphanage where my children lived. Awhile back I wrote about using Rubbermaids as auxiliary pieces of luggage for this purpose.

My sister who just returned from Ethiopia gathered supplies for her son's orphanage that she had planned to deliver to Ethiopia in this way, but due to several mix-ups in Washington D.C. the luggage never made it farther than Dulles. She toted the whole heap home, and I volunteered to deliver them when I travel(hopefully) later this year for our adoption.

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(Update and CAUTION: Not all popcorn poppers are safe options for roasting coffee. Using the wrong type of air popper can start a fire. Check out this article about recommended poppers before you try yours out to be sure you are roasting your coffee safely!!!!)

Awhile ago I read on another adoptive family's blog that it is possible to buy green, unroasted coffee beans in Addis and bring them home and roast them yourself in an air-popper used for popping popcorn. I've been wanting to get my hands on some green beans for awhile, and so when my sister headed for Addis last week to pick up her baby boy, I asked her to pick... more

I just got a frustrated email from my sister who is currently in Ethiopia picking up her incredibly gorgeous 6 month old baby boy. It seems that her luggage is stuck in Washington D.C. She's trying to figure out how to get them to send it on to Addis, and she's having a hard time calling out of Ethiopia. I contact her travel agent for her, who hopefully will be able to help her straighten things out.

But her email reminded me of a question that comes up over and over again when families are preparing to travel to Ethiopia: what about phone calls? I wrote awhile back about ... more

A budget hotel that many people have been very happy with in Addis is the Yilma Hotel. It is located in the Mechanissa area of Addis not far from the Vatican Embassy and the Adoption Advocates International children's home. A shuttle from the airport is available. The Yilma has single, double and suite rooms, though the suites are small. Cost per night: $25 for a double room and $30-35 for a suite. You will need to pay in birr, since credit cards and US dollars are not accepted. Money-changing is not available at this hotel.

There are phones in the rooms. To call out you must call the front desk and have them dial the number for you. No internet access is available,... more

As the mother of Ethiopian children, I am always interested in learning about life in Ethiopia. Somehow I feel like if I find out more about Ethiopia, I'll understand a little more about my children's past, and the circumstances that could have led to their relinquishment.

I was disappointed a couple weeks ago to learn I'd missed a local screening of Black Gold: The Global Coffee Trade, a Bitter Brew for the Poor, a documentary about the Ethiopian coffee trade.... more

As an adoptive mom, I am always on the lookout for ways to incorporate Ethiopian culture into our home. For me, cooking is a fun way to do that. But sometimes kids can be less than adventurous about food.

The other day on the way to the Ethiopian restaurant, one of my sons was less than pleased with the idea of Ethiopian food for lunch. He was afraid he would find nothing he liked to eat. Much to his delight (and mine) he liked everything that was served, including the injera. But he especially loved the milder dishes, including one with potatoes in it, and another featuring yellow... more

As an adoptive mom, I like to incorporate our children's birth culture into our lives when possible. Our homestown does not have any Ethiopian restaurants. When planning our Spring Break trip to the Oregon coast, we decided we'd really like to eat at an Ethiopian restaurant in Portland. A friend recommended the Queen of Sheba. It is located at 2413 NE M L King Blvd, which is downtown not far from the river, about 10 minutes north of OMSI. (Map here)

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You probably remember that I blogged last week, asking you all to consider contacting Rosetta Stone to ask them to produce an Amharic language learning CD. Many of you did contact them-- thanks so much! I'm not sure how many folks go back and read all the comments on posts, so I wanted to make sure this one from Waiting for Iyasu wasn't missed.

Just for fun, the following is the response that I received from Rosetta Stone:

Thank you for your advice. I will put in a request for the Amharic language on your behalf. Please check our web site periodically for updates on... more

I found this interesting story in the New York Times about some of the traditional restaurants in Addis.

Danielle Pergament writes:

On a trip to Addis Ababa last year, I became increasingly intrigued with the cuisine. Everywhere — from dingy streets to polished hotels — I saw people of every age, class and occupation eating the same food and embracing the same traditions. The food is a source of national pride, and a daily reminder of this country’s history.

There are no appetizers or desserts... more

I've added some new blogs to my list-- scroll down a couple posts and look for the ones marked *NEW*. There's lots of good reading, but I wanted to especially highlight the newest addition Our Big Crazy Family. This family just brought home two older children. I found the writing to be captivating. Probably this was partly because my husband and I are embarking on the adventure of older-child adoption ourselves, for the first time. But also, the writing is just plain wonderful. For a sample, read I Am Filthy Rich, or Two... more