Back from Awassa and Aleta Chuko
Here’s a picture of me, Maia, and Malkias.
We had a great trip down to Awassa (actually Boracha, just outside the city) to see Maia’s aunt Manjitu, and then down to Aleta Chuko, another hour south, to see Malkias’s aunt, Yeshi. Here’s Maia and Manjitu.
We found out that Malkias is probably only 9 1/2 months old, and not 13 1/2 months old, as we’d been led to believe. That makes a lot of sense when you take his cognitive development into account.
The days after the visits we went to the fish market (much more interesting than it sounds and fed the monkeys. We got some really great pictures. Here’s a colobus monkey.
We’re going to start spending more time with Malkias this week. We’ll probably be moving from our guest house to the orphanage on Wednesday, or Friday at the latest.
10 Responses to “Back from Awassa and Aleta Chuko”
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You’re currently reading “Back from Awassa and Aleta Chuko,” an entry on Bodhipaksa's blog, bodhi tree swaying
Published: May 25 2009
Hello over there!
You look a little tired, Bodhipaksa….maybe a bit in shock…. I have a similar picture of my Dad holding his newborn twins, back when…..
Is Maia aware of what’s going on?
And is that last picture of your third adoptee?
Hope you are all keeping well and having an enjoyable time. We miss you in our chapter.
Love to all, Varasuri
Hey hey! Not too tired now, thanks. I think that picture was taken on the first day we met Malkias. Maia seems to have a good grasp of what’s going on. One thing she doesn’t get is that the orphanage is not Ethiopia. She asks in the mornings if we’re going to Horizon House to see Malkias. When we explain that where we’re staying is also Ethiopia she says “There’s two Ethiopias?”
Also, all lizards are “alligators.”
Wow, great to see photos and read about your experiences. I feel nostalgic for Ethiopia (have some shiro for me) and joyful about the purpose of your trip. I can imagine that it would be quite moving and complex to be visiting the families of your kids.
Sending you lots of metta!
Hi Kathy,
Thanks! I wish I could write more, but we’re on a crappy dial-up connection and sometimes the phone line’s disconnected and every three days or so there’s no power. It’s also hard to post photographs.
You can reast assured that I won’t pass up an opportunity to have some shiro! I’m an addict now.
These family visits were much easier than last time. Manjitu was still quiet, but not overwhelmed by sadness like she was two years ago. And Yeshi, Malkias’s aunt, is very mature and was happy to see us. Her first question was how she could keep in touch with us to find out how Malkias is doing.
That monkey is phenomenal. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that particular species before. Great photographs, as usual.
Thanks, Dan. I’ll post more pictures when we get home. My wife got a great picture of a baby colobus — so cute! Can’t wait to show you it.
Congratulations! It intrigues me that you and your wife are willing to put in so much time, energies and resources to adopt children. It’s amazing. What’s the driving force behind it? BTW, I’ve not seen pictures of monkeys with such soulful eyes. You must have caught it at the right moment.
Adoption was my wife’s idea, really, although I came on board quickly. In short, it’s a little heartbbreaking that there are millions of kids in the world who need families. It’s such a basic need. Adoption isn’t the total answer, of course, but we can do something. And also our two children have brought a lot of joy into our lives, and are in some ways our teachers.
Indeed we adults can learn a lot from our young counterparts, though I must say they often put my patience to the test
Thanks for spreading love in such concrete ways, Bodhipaksa. I wish you and your family happy and healthy.
I’ve found that having my patience put to the test is one way I’ve learned from having children;)