Fasika

Hello All! I hope you had a Melcome Fasika (Happy Easter). Last weekend was a weekend with the kids! It was great but I don't think I'll be able to eat Ethiopian food for a few days. In Ethiopia, it is a sign of affection to feed others (literally from hand to mouth) so I ate WAY too much wat and tibs which are both meat dishes that are extremely heavy. And after the Ethiopian Orthodox 55 days of fasting (having no meat) it was a bit much, but nonetheless a great couple of days!

Saturday was spent at the Hilton taking Bamlie, Ilsa and Mest swimming! It was an exciting day for them and for me of course to see them experience swimming for the first time. As has become a custom, Bamlie cried when we arrived as she gets scared when she is outside the orphanage. However, as soon as she saw Ilsa in the water she jumped right in and she didn't want to leave. Consequently, we stayed until 5 pm and I have a horrible sunburn, however, the girls are fine because I was putting sunblock on them about every 20 minutes. Kinda forgot about my own back! Oops.

Sunday was spent at the children's home basically eating all day at the different houses, dancing Ethiopian style, which by the way I have a video of Bamlie dancing! She's kinda like I was at that age-a little show off! We also colored Easter drawings, had coffee ceremonies and I was given a present which I must say I feel completely ashamed of receiving because I know the girls had to sell stuff of their own to buy it as they have no money or allowance. They're all so great. They were dressed in their best clothes (though still raged, torn, stained, and many times did not fit properly), they had a great day. Fasika and Christmas are the only days they get meat, soda, and cookies so it was certainly a special occasion though there wasn't a great festival or celebration for the children. They were all smiles all day.

There are some pictures that highlight some of the moments though some didn't turn out very well so they are limited. I'll be visiting again Saturday and Sunday (maybe) as Kari will be arriving on Sunday at 12:30 am (ON MY BIRTHDAY NO LESS!!!) Laura will be arriving on the 19th at 8 pm! So excited!!!!! Can't wait to see you girls!!!!