Once upon a time...we went to Spain

It's amazing how blessed we are.  Mark and I travel so much that I often take for granted the many things that we're experiencing along the way. We spent a week wandering around Spain this past June and until today, I haven't shared a single picture with anyone. For many, that's a trip of a lifetime or rather, a trip that they could never dream of taking.

With my dial-up internet speed in-hand I have uploaded 50 pics to Facebook to commemorate the trip.  We went to Spain on a whim.  I believe I booked the flights 2 weeks in advance.  Mark was coming home after 5 months of separation and his 30th birthday was around the corner. We needed to celebrate. Some do this with cake.

You can jump over to Facebook and check out the pics if you like or you can scroll down and just see my favorites.

Gay Pride 2011 makes DC Pride look like child's play. We didn't plan this, it was just lucky timing. I like this picture because you can tell they are having fun, but that it's empty pleasure. Mark and I pretty much feel like this picture every time we go out to clubs.  It's fun, but it's an empty reward. 

Super sexy Spiderman. I love the minature fat Spiderman behind him.

Spiderman taking a smoke break.

We liked these narrow streets that you could get lost in. Reminds me of Venice.

We don't look our best here, but this was a fun day.  We began eating at a large open food market at 10am and didn't stop until midnight. Gluttony at its best. We made friends, indulged and laughed a lot.

I know I promised belly pics, but we weren't feeling too great last night so no pics were taken. I think tonight's our lucky night.  We are attending a lecture and then heading to a local spot, Lucy's, for dinner.  When we return home I'll be sure to capture a few pics. Hopefully with a full stomach, it will look like I'm preggo again. Unfortunately, food poisoning led to a significant weight loss that I'll be working on mending over the next few weeks. Apparently pregnant ladies shouldn't lose 10 pounds in a week. We probably also shouldn't move to Ethiopia at 8,300 feet above sea level and inhale diesel exhaust all day, but what's the fun in avoiding that?
I also know I still owe a post on adoption in Ethiopia.  We're still learning more about this issue and I am looking forward to sharing what we do know from locals with all of you, but I want first to make sure that I'm not misrepresenting information. We've recently had some interesting chats with the adoption consular officer here that adjudicates all US to ET adoptions and I fear the worst.

Lots of love,
Laurie & Mark

Get Me Outta Here!

While Mark has seemingly made a miraculous recovery from food poisoning, I have remained on a steady diet of toast and rice that I only occasionally manage to keep down.  This condition has left me confined to a 400 sq ft prison cell better known as a Hilton hotel room. Before you roll your eyes, allow me to explain.

This is not your standard US Hilton with posh lighting and down comforters.  No no.
This Hilton was decorated on a motel budget in 1972.
There is black mold in the bathroom.
The sink is cracked.
The coverlet bedding comes complete with someone else's hair.
It is dark. damp. and due to our two cats, also smells like litter.

Alas, there is hope.

On December 2nd, we are getting kicked out the Hilton.
Why? Good question.
There's this ICASA event and thousands are coming to town.
There's no room at the inn.
So they are moving us into an apartment across town!!
Not just any apartment, but one with a door to the bedroom.
For peaceful sleep without cats. Or mold.

BUT! It gets better.
Before arriving we were told a new home was 2 months away.
Then it was three months.
Now it looks like we may have a place to hang our hats before Christmas.

It won't be my happy colonial, tucked up on a hill:

but it won't be a Hilton hotel room, either.

In even MORE exciting news. I'm half way through my pregnancy (20 weeks!!) and my preggo belly has finally gone from awkward triangular mountain to a typical rounded tummy.  I can also FEEL him KICK! He usually does so when I roll over onto my stomach "hey! hey! I'm upside down!!" 20 weeks gestation and he's already got an attitude. This is my child after all. I'll be posting tummy pics tomorrow.

REVISION: I spoke too soon. Mark isn't doing much better than I. It was a temporary high.

Turkey Tumble

It was a matter of time.  We're told it happens to everyone at least once.  Still, I never anticipated reenacting the food poisoning scene from Bridemaids with my husband (if you have seen the movie, you're laughing/throwing up in your mouth a little.  If you haven't seen the movie you should.)

Thanksgiving was great. We had a nice dinner at the Ambassadors house with about 12 other guests.  We then departed for round two at our friend's home for the large young-dip crowd Thanksgiving where I discovered that my sweet potato souffle (read Miller's - thanks for the recipe!) and green bean casserole had been fully consumed.  We stayed late and enjoyed time with new friends, laughing and eating dessert.

Ambassador Booth

Saturday we went to the NGO Bazaar (it occurs once per month) and the German Christmas Bazaar.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Once a year, the German community in Addis puts on a bazaar where delicious German treats are sold alongside handmade crafts for Christmas such as advent wreaths and ornaments.  We were surprised at both events by the quality and craftsmanship of each item sold.  By the time we left the NGO Bazaar, every family member's birthday gift had been determined for the year. Later that evening, we returned to our friend's home to finish off the Thanksgiving leftovers from the party.

Proof that the event really does occur.

Then Saturday night arrived...

From 2am to 2pm, Mark and I were mindblowingly ill.  Around 1pm, I had been trying to get liquids inside of me for hours with no success.  I would sip, throw up, sip, throw up... you get the picture. We called the after hours nurse at the Embassy, who asked us to rotate sips of apple juice and water and try to get in a few crackers.  Mark had only vomited once, so this was a plausible request. For me, not so much.  By 2:30PM, we were at the Embassy clinic. It's the closest thing we have to a hospital here.  The nurse practitioner met us there. She gave Mark oral hydration packets and hooked me into an IV. She then took our vitals.  Both of us were running a fever and had low blood pressure.  My heart rate was significantly elevated as well.  We looked terrible and felt worse. I stopped and thought about taking a picture of how miserable we appeared, and then thought better of it. I hadn't been able to urinate since 5AM so I warned the nurse that this was going to take a while.  And it did. We went through 3 bags of fluid before I was "functioning" again.  By the time we left the Embassy at 6:30 we were beginning to feel better and could walk without fear of passing out. 

We returned to the hotel, giant bag of meds in hand, and asked for a linen change in our room. This was the highlight of our day.  Not only did we desperately need clean towels and a fresh bed, but we also had the chance to meet Hannah, the after-hours housekeeper on premise.  She's (a) a nurse (b) 9 weeks preggo and (c) an angel.  She came over and wiped me down with a cold compress, cleaned up the room, made sure that room service was bringing us toast and water, and called later just to check on us. For all of the many shortcomings that Ethiopia has to offer, it's people are not it.  They know of few boundaries, embrace everyone as their own, and are so quick to offer support, advice and a warm hug.

We survived our Bridesmaids moment and are able to laugh about it. If you found this post to be a little TMI, you should know that I've spared you 99% of the embarrassing and hilarious details.

We awoke this morning hungry.  That's a good sign.  Mark is going to work for a half-day and I'm continuing to rest and drink fluids.  Hopefully we'll be as good as new by tomorrow.
What about y'all? Any interesting post-Thanksgiving tummy tumbles? No? Hmm. How was Thanksgiving football? We missed that. Black Friday deals?

Happy Thanksgiving

Today, we are thankful for a healthy baby.  We went to the Swedish Clinic in town to check in on him and he is sitting cozy and sucking his thumb.  We're becoming more excited to meet him with every passing day.  We wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving and safe travels - wherever they may be taking you.

Not sure why this pic rotates funny when I upload it.  Here's the entrance to the clinic.

Only in Africa do clinics come complete with farm animals.

Love,

Laurie & Mark