Mathewos came to the guest house this morning to tell us goodbye. He told Shana he would see her again after 3 months. She told him it would probably be 9 months after 3 months. Then he told Jalen and Jordan that he would see them again after 2 months, and Shana said, "He wants to see them again before me!" And Mathewos just laughed and laughed. :) He has always had a special place in his heart for Shana.
We took Fray with us to Gabies blanket shop. "Gabies" is the Amharic word for blankets, and this type of traditional Ethiopian blanket is only made and found in Ethiopia. We watched the weavers make the blankets on their looms, and Fray told us the story behind the shop. She started it up about a year ago to help the people of Korah earn a living in a sustainable business. Women from Korah who are lepers spin the cotton, and then men weave the blankets. For every three blankets sold, a thicker blanket is given to disabled people on Entoto Mountain. These people have no one to help support them. Fray would like to eventually sell enough blankets to do a buy one-give one model like Tom's Shoes does. She would love for us to find a way to sell them in the U.S., and should have her export license soon.
The blankets are so soft and beautiful! Between Rachael and us, we purchased 9 blankets in different sizes, so 3 will be given to the poor on Entoto Mountain.
The Korah trash dump, where a community of about 100,000 people live:
After Gabies, we went to the market and purchased...well...a bunch of things. Then we headed to the airport, where we hugged Wass goodbye and checked in.
A new Orthodox church being constructed:
The market:
Waiting at our gate:
Boarded! Ciao, Ethiopia! Once again, you've been very good to us! Until next time...
We got to the Dubai airport, went through customs, and rented a taxi to take us to the JW Marriott. The Baro Hotel in Gambella to the JW Marriott in Dubai = from one extreme to the other.
A Muslim prayer rug in our room:
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