Recap: Arrival in Addis

So the 15 hour flight to Ethiopia with a 45 minute stop in Rome was LOOOOOONG. What made it less long: watching this happen over and over again (That's Josh in the background laughing with us):

So we got into the Addis Airport Friday evening, local time. Nothing too exciting happened, which is a good thing in Africa. When we finally got our luggage and started heading out, we were warmly greeted by Shane, Moses (his 5 yr old Zambian son), Austin Mann (amazing photographer/friend that was stranded in Ethiopia b/c of the Volcano), and Amanda Goble friend/former neighbor that was hanging with the Smiths for a month while the Mendonsas in Kenya were home in America). It took a few minutes for Moses to finally warm up, and the first thing he says to me: "Paul Golangco?" I, being shocked that he knew my first and last name, replied, "Yes, Moses?".

"Are you Chinese?"

"..............Yes, Moses."

"Paul Golangco?"

"Yes, Moses?"

"Can I have some gum?" "Sure, Moses."

And thus started the continuing relationship between Mo and I. Evidently he was on a big China kick, so he was very curious about the whole country. I later found out that he was having nightmares of Chinese people attacking him, so I'm not sure why he has this fascination.

Anyways, we spent the night in Addis at the SIM guest house. It was our last taste of warm water for a while. So we soaked it in. But another lesson I've learned: never bed check the beds in Africa. Bed checking is where you see how comfortable a bed is by flopping down, belly flop style, onto the bed. I did this in Sudan and in Ethiopia, and both times there was a loud and painful THUD that sounded once my face planted on the mattress. Regardless, a warm shower and a horizontal bed were a welcome comfort after the long trip. I slept well for the few hours between the night club next door shutting down and the 4am Call to Pray. The next day, we would make the 4 hour drive down to Langano to usher in a slew of memories that won't be soon forgotten.