Though I am passionate about the benefits of adoption travel, I understand that there are perfectly valid and sensible reasons that people choose to have their children escorted. So how can you get a little taste of Ethiopia without getting on a plane?

BOOKS

Start by buying a good guidebook to Ethiopia (yes, even if you're not going!) The commentary that goes along with the maps and hotel recommendations can give you a good idea of what it is like to be there. The Bradt Guide to Ethiopia by Phillip Briggs is probably my favorite. I like the style of the writing. There are some good maps, and there's lots of tourist-specific information and stories. Another good book is the Spectrum Guide to Ethiopia. It has more of an encyclopedic feel: less specific tourist information, but lots of details about many places in Ethiopia. This one also has more pictures than the Bradt book. For a more extensive list of books about Ethiopia, see this post.

FOOD

I have so much enjoyed getting familiar with Ethiopian food. There's a fairly decent collection of Ethiopian recipes right here on my blog. A cookbook that I have found very useful is Exotic Ethiopian Cooking, by D.J. Mesfin. Another fun one is The Soul of a New Cuisine.

If cooking isn't your thing, but eating is, investigate your area for Ethiopian restaurants. If you live near Seattle or Washington D.C., your options are many. Here's a review of one in Portland. The comments on that post mention other restaurants around the country.


MOVIES

For movies about Ethiopia, try to get your hands on the movie Endurance, about the Ethiopian distance runner. I just barely located a copy for myself on Amazon. When it comes, I'll give you my take on it. A more recent movie about Ethiopia is Black Gold, a documentary about the Ethiopian coffee trade.

Look around and you'll probably find ways of your own to learn about your child's culture. However you choose to investigate Ethiopia, you will find it worthwhile, both for your child's sake and for your own.