Tuesday, February 2nd 2010
The orphanage director arranged for a cab to take us to the airport early this morning. It was right on time and the fare was 90 birr + tip. Our driver was wonderful. He pointed out so many interesting things: hundred year old houses made from rock, beautiful rock buildings that are common in this region, Mekele University, and many other sights. His English was great and when we said we were from Tennessee, he asked about Nashville. We had a nice talk about country music! It was so funny - he said that when you mention country music in Mekele everybody thinks of Don Williams but that Kenny Rogers and Keith Whitley are good too.
Due to the two week holiday in Mekele celebrating victory over Eritrea, the security near the airport was very tight. Our car was stopped several times (by armed soldiers) and our taxi driver had to show his ID and I guess explain who we were and where we were going. It was all in Tigrinya but this is what I derived from the looks and gestures. Soldiers were everwhere on the streets and in the fields surrounding the one-runway airport. The toughest security of our whole trip was at this airport. No kidding. We went through three check points to basically move through one room. The airport was also packed, all waiting for the same plane, and the plane was an hour late arriving! By this time, I was so anxious. I was tired, hungry, and desperately just wanting to get to Addis Ababa and meet my daughter!
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