Hello everyone, I am sorry I have gone so long without blogging, but when I was in Addis I had no time, but now that I have gotten to Harare, there are difficulties with the internet. I have written some blogs that I will post when I have better internet access from my last fews days in Ethiopia, but quickly I will give you a overview of Harare. ( I don't want to lose my connection) Already, we have noticed the political situation here. We have a arranged state visit and everything is very scripted. We are supposed to travel to [View Full Entry]

---

---

June 15 Today was another wonderful adventure, however. at times completely hectic. I started early today since, I was finally going to the orphanage. I looked forwarded to the visit, but dreaded it at the same time; I didn’t know what I would see. It was a long distance from my hotel, so I got to experience even more of the city. It was a great drive there but, I have to say, what I saw raised even more questions in my mind, as we drove back. Catholic Sisters run this children’s home with about 375 children. The children range in [View Full Entry]

---

---

I am so sorry this is my first time I have had to blog in a few days. It is a strange feeling that so many people are following my journey and are waiting for new entries. It takes a long time to write down your thoughts and pick out pictures from the hundreds I have trying, to add to the story, so thanks for your support. I will keep it up if I think people want to hear what I have to say. Oh, please excuse the poor editing. I do the best I can, but quite honestly, at times [View Full Entry]

---

---

June 11 This morning we took a flight from Addis to Bahir Dar in the northern part of Ethiopia. I have to say today was the day that the fact that I lost my bags affected me the most. I wished for my bag of clothes and personal items first and got them. Now coming here I would have traded my clothes for the bag with supplies. How selfish am I that I wanted” my stuff” first, for fresh clothes. The people here have basically nothing. The few things that I brought to Africa would have made so many so happy. [View Full Entry]

---

---

This morning I spent most of the day in the hotel, but this afternoon I got to see the Ethiopian Health System close up. We toured a typical clinic and a private hospital. I have to say driving through the city of Addis, there are 10’s of thousands of people just walking around. The city has around 3 million people. There is nothing new here except this hotel and a new park that the same billionaire owner of the hotel built. This city is old and over crowded really falling down in most parts. The Ethiopian people, especially now with the [View Full Entry]

---

---

Where do I begin? I got to Amsterdam and after I blogged, I was waiting in a room to board a plane to Addis and people kept saying they were going to Khartoum (“cartoon”) which was in the Sudan. So I was confused and found out that the plane stopped in Khartoum to drop off and pick up people and fuel. I almost missed my flight by not wanting to get on. But all went well… I sat next to a Canadian citizen who ran away from here (Ethiopia) 17 years ago to avoid army service. He was coming home to [View Full Entry]

---

---

Just for a brief layover in Khartoum... More about this in the next journal! [View Full Entry]

---

---

June 9, 2005 Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean… I guess you could say I had my first special moment, I woke up, the plane was very quiet and the sun was rising in all its crimson and yellow rays, over the ocean. I was listening to Bob Marley on the Ipod and it hit me what a journey this was. It actually brought tears to my eyes. The song was “Every little thing gonna be alright”… Michael Cox, I thought about you and your love for Bob Marley. And then the next song was U-2’s One which is the theme song [View Full Entry]

---

---

June 7th I have to say all the support for this little trip is totally overwhelming. I feel like I am off to the jungles of Africa or something… Oh I am, but not as bad as it sounds, well I think/hope! I think packing has been the worst! It was hard trying to think about everything you “might” need while you're there, since there will be no Walgreens or Target on every corner. I never have been one to pack light, so this is really tough trying to pack for a month. I can only take a certain amount out [View Full Entry]

---

---

Here it is just about a week from my trip and there is still so much to be done. I wanted to start this Blog off by thanking so many that have made this trip possible! But first let me tell you about the trip, so that you all know why and where I will be and why it is so important and life changing for me to take this journey. Most of you know that this year has been a struggle for me in regards to my health. I have explained to my close family and friends that one of [View Full Entry]

---

---