THE KURTZ FAMILY........OUR ADOPTION JOURNEY

August 30th,2007

Well after almost two days of traveling we arrived in Addis last night, tired but very happy to finally be here. It’s so different from Canada.
After arriving, we stood in line to get into small room to get our Ethiopian visas. Our paperwork checked out, and we paid our 20 U-S dollars...we then walked into this cavernous baggage claim area. The airport here is definitely bare bones compared to the restaurants and museums you find in airports back home.
People were everywhere grabbing bags. The had to be x-rayed before we could leave the airport. We no sooner walked into the waiting area when we saw the smiling face of our guide and driver Salemnah. There were four other families in our group all arriving at the same time. It was quite the haul of luggage out to the waiting vans. Luckily Salemnah had other guys with him who helped as well.

We no sooner arrived at the Weygoss guest house when Deb dashed off to see our friends Heather and Jim and their new daughter Samra. I could hear their screams of joy two floors up as I dragged luggage up four flights of stairs. Yes we’re on the fourth floor. It’s the top floor and it’s a beautiful room...but there’s no elevator. We should have packed lighter!!
Samra is beautiful and we can’t to meet Denaye and Maya.

It’s just after 6 a.m. and the sun is just coming up. We’ve only seen Addis at night. Heather told us you see the poverty in a very real way during the daylight hours. Even as I glance out our fourth floor I can see the shanty towns all around the guest house. I know we’re going to see things that will shock us, but on the other hand I’m glad we’re able to see this first hand. Then at least we’ll know the real need and maybe be able to do something to help in the future.

Right now, our focus is our girls. We meet them later this morning and there is a possibility that we might be able to keep them with us right away. Hey, if they’re ready....we’re ready!!
The adoption has been an exciting process, but today it’s very real. I know our lives will never be the same and neither will the lives of Denaye and Maya. Even though they’ve legally been our daughters since June, this is the day when our adventure really begins. I can’t wait to hold them, love them and begin life together. More thoughts later.

Rod