Ali at first sight

We arrived! Ethiopian Air sure was sum'un. Long lines to check in (~2hrs), crowded flight (6 hrs), arriving not so refreshed at 7 AM in Addis Ababa International. We were rousted to full arousal by an insane shuttle-van ride. Lowboe, the driver, bore down on several pedestrians with homicidal glee. In a spin on the old joke: how does an Ethopian cross the road? With meticulously calculated nonchalance. These walkers would not make eye contact with the driver but deft-fully adjust their speed to narrowly avoid being smacked and squished, only several inches to spare between their hide and dented metal.

After such a piquing ride, we arrived at the office rather alert and were delighted to hear we would be seeing Ali in a moment. Then in just a few signatures on just a few forms, we were whisked down the street to the care center. Thru the gate and into the yard. Then up the steps to a closed door. Nursery #1 and behind would be a packet of kids. One of them is named Alemayehu Abiye.

They had given us name tags. Apparently for the care givers to identify us, for you dont want just any person walking into an orphanage and start picking up the children. On the front was Ali's full name (see photo), but what was with the stuff underneath. "Coffeey, Dean and Debra." That is pretty far off from Chris and Christy Hopkins. Was he miss-assigned to the "Coffee" family! Like the airlines, was Ali a double booking? Had we come this far only to be told, sorry you cannot have him, he is already taken. This mystery was to remain unsolved for it did not seem to cause any confusion in the downstream affairs. We were just referred to as "The New Parents of Alemayehu."


New parents..... wow, another reality hitting home. We are now parents! Woo-hoo. OK then, where is my kid? I want to see my kid. What is behind door # 1? I gotta know! Did I win? Do I get the prize? Half expecting another desk and someone behind, ready to hand me more forms to fill out, our guide opens the door.

There, on the floor are 5 cute little rug rats. All of them pop their heads up to this new distraction at the door. I recognize Ali instantly. His big brown eyes impossible to miss. His now classic startle expression suggest he is thinking "OH NO, its THEM! The ones they have been telling me about!!"

Christy is first there to pick him up, of course. Snatching him up as fast as she can, but with measured restraint and delicacy, so not to upset the child. Instantly, new mommy is a hit. Mommy kisses are his favorite.


The care takers have given him nicknames: "Alex" and "Alexi" are cute and perhaps one to add to "Ali" as possible abbreviations. The care givers are nice and definitely the quality care shows in the kids. For they love to be picked up and cry when not being paid attention too. Ali is quiet for us. He just slobbers, grunts, smiles and wants to eat.

Like me, he likes the taste of life. For him, this is a literal definition, for everything that goes near his mouth, he will attempt to insert it in his mouth.

I can see the budding scientist in him, for he and I experiment with all kinds of tasty things. There is a barrage of miscalculations, as any plastic toy in his hands is sent in a high speed arch towards his mouth. Rarely, does he hit his intended target. More often, he bludgeons himself in the side of the head or on the eyeball or cheek. His oral-targeting muscular coordination needs some work.
He is a poser like his dad. Hamming it up for the camera. He likes to have is picture taken.

He is so adorable we just can't wait to take him home.