Day 4 - Socializing and Embassy

Wegayu helping Sam walk. See Macha, Sam's obsession, next to him?

Bath time!

Trying out the backpack with Grandma Judy.

Diaper Time!

Thursday morning we left Sam with a caregiver (sniff) and went to the Orthodox church where Haile Sailesse is buried. The church was pretty incredible and it was really interesting to learn more about the political past of Ethiopia, specifically the Derg regime post-Sailesse.

We rushed home and went to our Embassy appointment. I don't know if I was crazy but I thought the US Embassy would be full of marble halls, organization, and efficiency. Instead we were all put into a hot room with no water after being shuttled about from area to area. The embassy was packed with people too. My "favorite" part about the embassy interview (which was about 30 seconds after waiting 90 minutes...thanks to Gladney for making sure there would be NO problems) was when the woman said, "You understand that this is permanent, right? There are no give backs." Can you believe that?

When we were done with that experience we spent a nice relaxing afternoon (see videos). Then that night we left Sam with a caregiver again and went to Fasika which is a great restaurant with entertainment. Even though we were exhausted, it was fun chatting with everyone in the group, having a St. George beer (yum), eating injera and some amazing food, and watching the entertainment. The dancers were from the same region as Sam so we loved watching them. It was intense dancing! And the crowd was having a ball and dancing too. At one point the female dancer came over and got my mother-in-law, step-father and Pete dancing! It was hilarious.