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

Here is another of the Ethiopian recipes that my 11 year old taught me. She made the recipe the week after she got home. We all loved it, though it is quite spicy and we had to down lots of water along with it.

Today when I made it, I thought I'd make it just a little less spicy. I added a couple tablespoons of berbere and thought it had a decent bit of heat. But the 9 year old kept coming through the kitchen, shaking her head, and saying, "More berbere..." I added a few more shakes of berbere, but still it did not meet her approval.

Finally, I got out a little pot and let the 9 year old spice a small portion of the stew the proper way. She dumped 1/4 of a cup MORE... more

Since my girls have come home, I've discovered that they know how to cook most Ethiopian food. However, this recipe is one I learned before they came home. They enjoy it, as do some of my family members who sometimes need a break from some of the spicier Ethiopian recipes. Zilzil Alecha (Beef strips in green pepper sauce)

Ingredients 3 green bell peppers (2 coarsely chopped and 1 cut into strips) 4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh hot chilies 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped. 1 T. finely chopped fresh ginger root 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon black pepper 2 teaspoons salt ... more

Paperwork all done? Twiddling your thumbs? Wondering what on earth you will do while you wait for your referral or for your child to come home? Why not plan an orphanage shower?

We had one before our first Ethiopian daughter came home, and it was a great success. People donated dozens of diapers, underwear, and socks, plus plastic diaper covers, vitamins, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other useful items. I went to Ethiopia loaded down with great stuff to bring to my daughter's orphanage.

Planning Your Own

Start by asking your agency what your child's orphanage most needs. Ethiopian orphanages routinely use cloth diapers for the babies, and plastic... more

I thought some people might like to try the cabbage recipe that was the very first thing our 11 year old cooked for us just a couple days after she got home from Ethiopia.

GOMEN

Ingredients 1 onion 1-2 tomatoes 1 cabbage 2 cloves garlic, 1 hot red pepper (optional) Oil, at least ½ cup Salt to taste

Preparation -Mince the onion very fine. -Chop tomato very fine or puree in food processer. -Chop cabbage into smallish bite-sized pieces, no bigger than an inch or so across. - Cut hot pepper into very narrow threads. Discard seeds.

Cooking Put... 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

Weddings are a highly celebrated element of Ethiopian life. Christian marriages are often arranged by the parents of the bride and groom with a great deal of negotiation.

Rural women especially tend to marry at a very young age. In the past it was the custom for the bridegroom to be 30 years of age when getting married following the biblical example of Christ who waited until he was 30 years of age before beginning his public ministry.

Traditionally the groom's parents search for a bride for their son. First they investigate... 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

Ethiopia has many beautiful natural attractions for the tourist willing to leave Addis and do a bit of exploring. Some places will require a few hours of driving. Others can be reached by flying Ethiopian airlines on their domestic routes.

Bahir Dar/Blue Nile Falls Bahir Dar is located on the southern shores of Lake Tana and is accessible by land and air. Bahir Dar is one of the most convenient centers for boating to the various islands on the lake. A must-see attraction in Bahir Dar is Tis Isat, the Blue Nile Falls. The waterfall is over 1300 feet wide at flood stage and is 150 feet deep. The continuous spray of water drenches onlookers and produces beautiful... more