I can't keep it to myself any longer. Barring no bad luck to stop us (knock on wood), I am returning to Ethiopia and traveling with my mom for two weeks come October--2 weeks from today! Flights are fixed, travel arrangements are made. Just mom and me, no kids coming or going this time around. Day 2 in Ethiopia we travel by car eastward to Awash National Park and staying on at the Bilen Lodge among the Afar peoples for a couple of nights (just one lion roar to reach my ears is all I ask for).
We then continue east onto Harar for a couple of more nights, where I will be sure to feed the local wild hyenas.
We fly back to Addis from Dire Dawa and get back on a plane the next early morning and head north for a whirldwind's night stay in historical Lalibela.
Holiest of places we will be, one among Muslims (Harar--the fourth holiest Muslim site), one among Christians (Lalibela--the unofficial 8th Wonder of the world).
I ran across these amazing photos of Ethiopia, many of Harar and the Northern Historical Route, by one adventuresome blogger (within the old city we're staying at the traditional Adare (Harari) house the blogger describes).
My only disappointment is that I will not be camel trekking around Bilen. Apparently two of the camels are lost.
Why am I going? Why not!? Mom is staying for 2 weeks beyond my stay for volunteer work around Addis Ababa with a group of Canadians. What else would a cool, retired mama hungry for the world opt to do with her time off?
Excited? You bet!
Please send Jerry your arms, your child care providers, your prepared meals for my time away. He will really, really, really need the help (before you think me selfish, his truly wonderful mother will help while I'm away). And I will really miss three little babies but I can't think of that right now . . . ouch my heart (oh my they will be missing on me and I doubly don't want to think about that . . .).
21 comments:
How did you keep it to yourself at all?!? Holy exciting! Oh wow. You are going back to Ethiopia! Sans poopy diapers. Even better.
You best be taking lots of pictures and writing all about it. Will be keeping notes for the time when the thought of bringing my two non plane sleepers back doesn't induce palpitations.
Have a fantastic trip and sorry about the $%#* camels.
Wow! That's a pretty sweet gig. Looking forward to seeing lots of art on your return, and be sure to remind Jerry that going solo doesn't excuse him from blog updates. :)
How frickin cool are you?! Awesome. I see a tour guide for ET mamas in your future...
Oh, man I am so jealous! The trip sounds truly fabulous. And your mom sounds totally cool. Have a wonderful time.
Where did you get such a cool mom? Mine won't even sleep in a tent!
Have a great time! I am already excited from the trip photos when you return...
Good for you! Have fun. Can't wait to see the photos.
1. Major jealousy here!!
2. Did you and Jerry ever look at http://www.vsufarmertofarmer.com/ ? That would be an expense paid trip for both of you there if you can swing a project that works with your background.
Wow! Have a great trip to Ethiopia! Thanks for the multiple tips on parenting multiples.
totally cool!
that is so, so cool! omg am I jealous. Have fun!!!
I am so happy for you and your mom! I hope you guys have a wonderful trip. I'm sure your mom will have a great time with Canadian Humanitarian!!! Tell her to email when she gets back....I want to hear all about it!
Oh and while you're there can you blow a kiss or two to my baby boy :)
Ricki
Have a GREAT trip!!!
How awesome! Have a blast! I'm so jealous! Sounds like a great idea for me to copy in a couple of years.... :-D
I am so jealous!!! What an amazing time you shall have. Wow. Two weeks. Sans kiddos. In ethiopia. I also second (or 3rd or 4th) the request for a travel log of sorts. You are such a cool mama.
What a great trip! Take (and post) lots of photos so we can live vicariously through you and your experiences... which I'll admit I was doing anyway for a year before I became a parent for myself.
What a great trip! Take (and post) lots of photos so we can live vicariously through you and your experiences... which I'll admit I was doing anyway for a year before I became a parent for myself.
I am so very jealous. I cannot wait to hear everything when you get back. Take tons of photos!!!!!!!!!!!
Have fun!!!!!!!!
Wow! how very cool is that?! I look forward to the day when we can go back and just enjoy the country! Have FUN!
Cindy, this is awesome! I can't wait to see your pictures and hear your stories, Have an amazing time and travel safely!
how wonderful!! can't wait to see and hear all about it!
so, completely jealous right now. Enjoy your time! Tell us all about it so we can live vicariously through you until we get to go.
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