2007-04-20
Maia Bereket Sering
We call her Maia Bereket so we can use both her American and Ethiopian Name
Maia Bereket Sering
Our first meeting with her on March 15, 2007.
Early days
The first two days Maia stayed with the other babies and we visited her so she could get to know us.
Maia Bereket's bottle
They put the babies' names on their bottles so they don't get mixed up.
Horizon House
The orphanage is called Horizon House. This is a picture of the Guest House there, where parents stay.
Horizon House
The alley leading to Horizon House
Horizon House
The alley leading to Horizon House.
Horizon House
The roof of the Guest House.
Horizon House
The infant rooms are behind the doors at the back of the courtyard.
Addis Ababa
View from the Guest House at dawn.
Addis Ababa
View from the Guest House at dawn.
Addis Ababa
View from the Guest House at dawn.
Plants in Addis
Plants in Addis
Plants in Addis
Trip to Awassa
We traveled to Awassa, a city south of Addis Ababa, to meet Maia Bereket's birth family.
Trip to Awassa
Solomon was our driver
Trip to Awassa
We traveled in a Land Rover; it was a four hour drive.
Trip to Awassa
We traveled with Eric and Stacy, who were adopting two sisters.
Trip to Awassa
Half of Ethiopia's population is under age 20, so there are children everywhere.
Trip to Awassa
Trip to Awassa
Trip to Awassa
A typical village outside of Awassa.
Trip to Awassa
Donkeys are a common sight.
Trip to Awassa
Maia Bereket's birth family
Maia Bereket's aunt's house. Maia was also born here.
Maia Bereket's birth family
Maia Bereket's birth family
Maia Bereket's birth family
Where the village gets their water.
Lake Awassa
Many children were swimming and fishing in the lake near our hotel.
Lake Awassa
Many children were swimming and fishing in the lake near our hotel.
Lake Awassa
Many children were swimming and fishing in the lake near our hotel.
Lake Awassa
Downtown Awassa
Half of Ethiopia is Orthodox Christian, so there are many churches.
Downtown Awassa
Cows are also a common sight in the city.
Downtown Awassa
Not up to OSHA standards!
Awassa
In the morning we were awoken to sounds of buzzards....
Awassa
Awassa
and Columbus monkeys.
Awassa
Awassa fish market
Not really a market... a place where people get together and fish.
Awassa fish market
Awassa fish market
Awassa fish market
Awassa fish market
Awassa fish market
PICT0244.jpg 2007-04-20
Awassa fish market
With all the fish around, the storks were waiting for their share....
Awassa fish market
Awassa fish market
There was a park where we went for a walk near the fish market.
Awassa fish market
Awassa fish market
Awassa fish market
Solomon showed us how to feed the monkeys.
Awassa fish market
Abijata Shalla National Park
This park was on the way home from Awassa.
Abijata Shalla National Park
Abijata Shalla National Park
Hot springs.
Abijata Shalla National Park
Flamnigoes
Abijata Shalla National Park
Abijata Shalla National Park
Children who live in the park
Abijata Shalla National Park
Abijata Shalla National Park
Many of the children sell crafts to pay school fees.
Abijata Shalla National Park
We saw colorful birds...
Abijata Shalla National Park
and huge birds.
Back at Horizon House
We took custody of Maia Bereket when we got home from Awassa.
Back at Horizon House
Back at Horizon House
She slept for some of her first night with us.
The families of Group 36
We were the 36th group of people to adopt children from Horizon House.
The families of Group 36
Children are given the first and last name of their fathers as their middle and last name.
At Horizon House
Maia Bereket ate a lot.
At Horizon House
At Horizon House
And slept a lot.
At Horizon House
At Horizon House
And bathed
At Horizon House
And went for walks
At Horizon House
Maia wore a special outfit for her trip to the US Embassy to get her visa to enter the US.
At Horizon House
The Embassy was the last of 12 appointments necessary to complete the adoption.
At Horizon House
After our trip to the embassy we celebrated with traditional Ethiopian food.
At Horizon House
At Horizon House
At Horizon House
Sinadu cooked excellent food.
At Horizon House
And took care of the children so we could eat.
At Horizon House
Eskadar also took good care of us.
The streets of Addis
It is considered rude to take pictures on the street, so I shot this from my hip.
The Coffee Ceremony
We had a traditional coffee ceremony to say goodbye.
The Coffee Ceremony
Coffee and popcorn were served.
The Coffee Ceremony
Maia Bereket wore traditional Ethiopian clothes.
The Coffee Ceremony
The Coffee Ceremony
The nannies danced with the babies.
The Coffee Ceremony
The director of the Horizon House, Dr. Tsegaye, said goodbye to all the children.
The Coffee Ceremony
We were given all of Maia Bereket's adoption paperwork and immigration documents.
The Coffee Ceremony
The Coffee Ceremony
And her passport.
Trip to Blue Nile Gorge
On our last full day we took a trip to Blue Nile Gorge, several hours north of Addis.
Trip to Blue Nile Gorge
Blue Nile Gorge, said to be the Grand Canyon of Ethiopia.
Trip to Blue Nile Gorge
The highlight of this trip was seeing Gelada baboons.
Trip to Blue Nile Gorge
They are also called Bleeding Heart baboons because of their coloring.
Trip to Blue Nile Gorge
Trip to Blue Nile Gorge
They live in large colonies.
Trip to Blue Nile Gorge
We stopped at a church
Trip to Blue Nile Gorge
that had some very unusual entrance requirements.
Trip to Blue Nile Gorge
A monk gave us a tour.
Going home
The staff said good bye
Going home
We piled into the van for the last time.
Going home
Waited for hours at the airport.
Going home
This is the plane that took us from Addis to Washington DC.
Going home
Maia Bereket slept most of the way home.