I'm guessing that most of you who read my blog have also been following Erin's also lately. She is our Transracial blogger and she just brought home her second child from Ethiopia. I especially wanted to point out a post she wrote today comparing the Hilton and the Ghion hotel, as it nicely lays out the differences between the two in a way that is sure to be helpful to travelers trying to decide where to stay while in Ethiopia.

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Also don't miss this lovely post over at Anne's blog. She went to... more

Ethiopia: Houses Demolished to Make Way for Gotera Spaghetti Junction

The Reporter (Addis Ababa)

November 11, 2006

Property owners who will be relocated due to the demolishing of resident houses and businesses to make way for the construction of the new Gotera spaghetti junction have voiced their concern over the compensation scheme and its implementation.

The construction of the new road junction around the grain silo, usually known as "confusion square", will require over 200 houses and businesses in the Nefasilk/Lafto and Kirkos sub-cities... more

In a comment on my recent language post, a mom shared a link to a post about Amharic phrases on her Ethiopian Travelogue. Her list is way better than mine - don't miss it. Check out her whole blog, starting with her very nice table of contents. She has tons of posts about two trip to Ethiopia, with details that I know soon-to-be-traveling folks will love reading. When I get a bit of time, I'll be spending more time there.

I thought it might be interesting to some people to see a few common words and their translation in Amharic.

English - Amharic - Phonetic Hello - Selam - Se-la-m

Bye/So long - Ciao - Chi-o

Thank you - Ameseginalehu - Ame-segi-na-lew

Coffee - Buna - Boo-na

Food - Megib - M-gi-b

Yes - Awo - Ah-wo

No - Aye - Eye All gone - yellum - yell-um Excuse me - Yikerta - Yi-ke-r-ta

Good bye (male)- Dehna Hun - Deh-na Hu-n Good bye (female)- Dehna Hungi - Deh-na Hu-ng-i Good bye (plural)- Dehna Hunu - Deh-na Hu-nu

How are you? Dehna Neh?(male) Deh-na Ne-h ... more

I'm so pleased to be sharing this shiro recipe from my friend Rita. She and I were in Ethiopia together in June 2005 getting our daughters. We stayed at the guesthouse together, watched our kids play soccer together and ate dinner at the Merry Fam restaurant. She learned this recipe from an Ethiopian friend of hers.

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Recipe for Shiro Note: This is a fasting shiro, which means it has no meat or Ethiopian butter in it. You can add small chunks of beef or lamb at... more

Ethiopia: Toning Down a Jittery Economy The Reporter (Addis Ababa) EDITORIAL November 4, 2006

Ethiopia's economy is jumpy. It is easily affected when a single rainy season does not turn out to be good; agricultural output plummets and this retards economic growth. (Continue reading here)

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Ethiopia: Going to the Rescue of Six Million Orphans The Reporter (Addis Ababa) November 4, 2006

During the Official Launching of a Groundbreaking campaign for Ethiopia's orphans on Thursday, President Girma Wolde-Giorgis,... more

Y'all are reading Denise's blog, aren't you? Because I would hate to think you are missing great stories like today's where she talks about a bunch of kids getting their passport pictures taken:

"it hits me that in a month all of these kids will be in America. I feel myself get choked up, note with frustration my rapid blinking, and then the baby I'm holding spits up all over my arm and takes my mind off the good-bye parties to come."

She may be writing about some of your kids.... more

On my previous post about investigating birth family, caseyangulo commented: "I want to know that my agency makes every effort to make sure that they adopt out true orphans"

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Absolutely. Me too. And my agency DOES make every effort to make sure kids are true orphans, or have incapacitated parents. They investigate leads, talk to relatives, and determine if there are medical reasons (like HIV) for a parent to relinqush. In some cases they determine that a child is NOT eligible to be adopted. They are a dynamite agency, and I am sure they would welcome the chance to answer any questions about their policies.

Sometimes more information does turn up AFTER... more

So you're finally going to get your child! If you're like most people, you'll spend that last few days before your trip in a frantic state of perpetual motion. Between the many last details to cross off that list, and the sheer excitement, chances are you won't begin your trip well rested.

Given that fact, what is the best way to deal with the inevitable jet lag you will experience from going across many time zones? Of course you'll want to begin well-hydrated and as well rested as possible. Experts say it is wise to avoid alcohol in the day or so before you leave. The last thing you need at the start of your trip is a hangover.

According to an... more

Ethiopia: Meles Speaks On Economy, Somalia, Eritrea The Reporter (Addis Ababa)- October 29, 2006

Speaking on the government's stand last week on the speech delivered by President Girma Wolde-Giorgis at the opening of parliament, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi explained several issues and responded to questions raised by parliamentarians.

The first issue he addressed was the high cost of living, especially in urban centers. He said there was no doubt about the increasing cost of living. There was also scarcity in major commodities. (Continue reading... more