Day Six: Saturday (Our Last Day)

Today, we checked out of our hotel. The staff at the hotel were amazing. Most of them spoke English quite well. This was a blessing. Because we managed to have one of the ladies translate for us so that Karen could talk with Taya. This was very helpful after last night. Because they were able to help us better explain to her what all was going on so that she felt much safer and happier about being adopted and leaving Ethiopia.

After we checked out of our hotel, Karen and others from our group went to Gabriel's foster-home and said goodbye and thank you to his nannies. One of the nannies even spent some time with Taya braiding her hair. It was really beautiful after she finished. I hung out at a nearby coffee shop with Gabriel.

One of the nannies also did a "coffee ceremony" for our travel group. Karen and the others told me that it was a beautiful ceremony. After leaving the foster-home, we all went shopping again to get a few more things and had lunch at a coffee shop that, except for its name, would have looked just like a Starbucks here in the States. They had really good food.

Somewhere around 7:00 PM, we all went to the airport and waited for our flight home. We were happy to be coming home, but sad to leave as well. The Ethiopian people are so gracious and friendly.

Our flight home was pleasant as well. Karen and Taya sat across the aisle from Gabriel and me. There was an Ethiopian lady sitting with Karen and Taya that was very pleasant. She was travelling back to the U.S. with her sister and their children. Her niece was a little bit older than Gabriel. She spent a large part of the flight talking with Karen and Taya.

I, also had an 80-year-ol gentleman sitting with Gabriel and me that was also very nice. He played with Gabriel at times and made pleasant conversation with me. He also played with Gabriel a couple at times. He told us that Gabriel was a athletic, handsome boy and Taya was a intelligent, pretty girl. He was travelling to the U.S. to see his children and grandchildren. He also told me that the meaning of the name, "Addis Ababba" is "new-flower." This seems to be a very beautiful and appropriate name, especially for the people of Addis Ababba.