We loaded up and headed to the airport at 8am Wednesday. Nerves kicked in as we got closer and closer. We couldn't believe it was finally time to go! After Ben's parents dropped us off, we settled in for our long flight (24 hours total). We met up with another AWAA family (the Heddelsons) in Washington and were so glad to have some travel buddies as we navigated customs and getting our visas once in Ethiopia. We left Texas Wednesday morning and arrived in Ethiopia at 7:30pm Thursday night. We were exhausted!! The flights were bumpy and cramped and we were a bit concerned about the ride home. How would we entertain a baby on a plane for so long?! The food was pretty good though and there was so much of it we couldn't finish any of it. They gave us socks, pillows and blankets and we took some dramamine to try and sleep.
Plane from Dallas to Washington
Ethiopian flag in Washington Airport
Our plane to Ethiopia!
Stopping in Rome to refuel
Rome!
We had about an hour layover in Rome to refuel but we weren't able to get off the plane so we just sat and waited for the last leg of the flight. Our friends, the Norwoods, met us at the airport when we arrived and it was so great to see some familiar faces! As we were leaving there were people everywhere! It was so late and yet the airport was packed. Apparently in Ethiopia when someone is coming home there is a BIG celebration. There were people singing and playing drums, dancing and clapping as they greeted their family members. This went on all the way out to our car. It was a pretty cool experience. So much joy and it made us excited about the journey about to begin. We drove to Travis and Joanna's house and settled in for the night. Sleep was hard to come by. We kept waking up thinking surely it was time to get up but no, it had only been and hour or two. This would take some getting used to. A fun day of experiencing the city of Addis was on the agenda for tommorrow and we were excited.
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