We're still living life in Ethiopia!!

The development project Paul has been attached to for the last four years was scheduled to conclude September 30, 2014. SNSF (Safety Net Support Facility) is a project funded by CIDA (aka DFATD). The purpose of the project is to work closely with the Ethiopian government to help them deliver the productive safety net program more effectively. The PSNP (a huge, 2 billion dollar initiative in its 5th year) is a social safety net program designed to address the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups within society; specifically, those suffering from chronic food insecurity. This is suppose to address the scenario of starving children in Ethiopia that most people associate with this country. SNSF has met with huge success and from the time Paul arrived here in March 2013, he was being assured by CIDA, Government counterparts and other donor groups aided by World Bank, that SNSF's initiatives and successes were too important and had to continue to be implemented. This sentiment was equally shared by the amazing and talented employees of SNSF in 8 regions of Ethiopia and government officials who had benefited from capacity development workshops and seminars facilitated by Paul's strong group of Team Leaders and Specialists. It was the exemplary work of SNSF  that has given rise to the reality that there will be a SNSF Part 2. The only problem is that the next phase is still in the 'developing' stage.  The concept of  "SNSF" will be incorporated into the next PSNP,  but this will involve another bidding process and all this takes time. World Bank proposed a Bridge with the sole intension that the Bridge would allow a seamless transition from the end of SNSF to the beginning of the next Project which Agriteam has a strong chance of winning. The theory was great, the timing was not.  Agriteam, as the drivers of SNSF had to bid for the chance to run the Bridge. What should have been a slam dunk became a long and drawn out process. The end result after over 8 months of delays and excuses: Agriteam was awarded the right to continue the work that had gained them so many accolades, positive results and feedback. Oh well, it was gratifying to know that despite the bidding and proposal process, the best 'team' (Agriteam) won!

So we're still here, (Paul, Lexxie and I) living in Addis Ababa and guaranteed to be here until at least June 30, 2015. What will happen after that, given how long it took to get the Bridge approved is anyone's guess.  We're just happy for now that our living arrangements are settled, decided and it all worked out.

On an extremely happy note and in keeping with Paul's philosophy (and Daylan's too) that 'things have a way of working out', we are proud to announce the birth of Michael Baracat, born October 4, 2014. Had we gone home in September we would have missed the opportunity of welcoming Aynalem's (our housekeeper) and Baracat's first baby.  Things could not have worked out better!

Michael, AKA Mickey

Paul's a natural

14 days old and growing

Thank Goodness Lexxie is keeping an eye on things!

What I did on my summer holidays!

I arrived in Ottawa July 23, 2014 and after weeks of visiting and travelling and enjoying the company of family and friends, August 23rd marked my return.  It was a good thing that prior to my trip I drew up an itinerary which helped ensure that I was able to see and do everything I planned. It's crazy, but after being away a year there are so many family and friends you want to see and with everyone not living in Ottawa it also involved some travel. I love to travel so that was no problem at all. Gail has a nice, brand new Highlander so we were able to comfortably motor here, there and everywhere. 

I began my trip with dinner out with friends I have known since childhood. We grew up together on the same street: Mayfield in Chomedy, Laval.  Though we attended each other’s wedding back in the day, time and distance kept us apart. About 2 years ago Diane Baker Foley was very diligent in tracking me down and together with Debbie Donaldson Tylee we have rekindled a friendship that spans decades. We get together for dinner and non-stop talking. After a year in Ethiopia I had lots to share and it was so enjoyable catching up on each others lives. Diane also included two girls that were also in fellow Chomedy-ites (Janice and Donna) and with my sister too, we laughed and laughed over some pretty hilarious conversations. I swear Donna could do stand up. She was that funny.

We (Gail, Brooke, Janet and I) went to Toronto for the August long weekend and spent a glorious 5 days shopping, entertaining and enjoying the comforts Chez Palgrave. Breakfast under the gazebo or sitting poolside and later in the evening enjoying the wood burning stove while talking and sharing time with family and friends.  I was happy to see JoJo, first time since our African safari adventure, and to meet Rob, who I had first learned about when Jojo visited us in Ethiopia. In Toronto we also got to see Derrick and his boys. Wayne and Patti were in NY over the long weekend so though we briefly saw Patti on the morning we were heading home, we would only see Wayne on our next trip.

Back in Ottawa Janet and I made plans to go to Norway Bay (near Shawville) for a couple of days to visit our good friends Kathy and Gord Black.  The consummate hosts, Gord and Kathy made sure our wine glasses were kept full, the shrimp cooked to perfection, salads GF approved and snackies that kept us going into the wee hours of the morning. Kathy and Gord have a beautiful home overlooking the Ottawa River and spending time with them is always a highlight. Gord made of point, more than once, of also extending an invitation to their home in Florida (Port Charlotte) and Paul says we have to make this one of our to dos. No argument here!

Gail, Brooke and I didn't sit still long before we decided to give the Highlander a good run and drove 10 hours to Timmins. I hadn't seen Reece since she was a baby and I'd only seen pictures of Scott and Caelen's lovely home.  It was so wonderful to see Reece all grown up (all 20 months of her!!) walking, running, talking and always smiling. She's such a happy child and why not? She has parents that dote on her, an aunt, uncle and two cousins and grandparents just around the corner and of course Sushi (American bulldog!). There's an amazing lake nearby with a boardwalk and it was so enjoyable to walk there, en famille, and experience Reece's excitement over the feeding of the ducks. 

We had such a good visit! We left Timmins and went home via Toronto. We over-nighted at Derrick's home in Woodbridge. Patti and Wayne had a BBQ at their home, which is like 1 km from Derrick's, an unbelievably short distance when you consider how big Toronto is and typically how far apart everyone lives. Rob, Doris and Barrett were there as well so it was good to see everyone again. The following morning we headed back to Ottawa, BUT not before Jojo dropped off Allison. Al, too was making a trip home after a year in the UK. She flew in via Toronto and we had arranged to take her the rest of the way.  I'd seen Al in May when we met up in Greece, but seeing your first born just never gets old.  I could hardly wait for the two sisters to be re-united later that day!

My next travel was to Watertown, NY with Janet, Doris and Jan's Mum, Robin.  Doris and Barrett drove to Ottawa Friday night and Saturday morning we (Janet driving her mum's SUV) were on the road again. Watertown has become quite a tradition with Janet and me and we were happy to include Doris who over the years (our famous Shop to you Drop weekends!) has become the 3rd member of our Shop Ops Adventures. Watertown proved no different. We managed to find bargains, exclusive items to the States, consume good eats, lots of laughter and conversation and all be closing time. The drive home was lively as we had to be sure Janet stayed alert and awake. We arrived home close to 1:30 am.

While in Ottawa, I was there for Daylan's 23rd birthday. Paul of course would have loved to be there, but that will have to wait. (More on that to follow in later blogs!!) In his stead we celebrated Daylan's b'day at Gail's with a BBQ. The Girls were all there (Allison, Aleysha, Jenn and Brooke). The only missing 'girl' was Lexxie! No summer birthday would be complete without a DQ Blizzard Cake. Needless to say we were all quite satisfied!

My last night in Ottawa, Gail and I were invited to Janet and Mark's for a farewell BBQ. Kathy and Gord were also there.  I couldn't have asked for a better send off. I am so thankful for my very good friends and currently living so far away, I really value the time I have to spend with them.

It had been a hectic month of dinners out with childhood friends, travelling, shopping and visiting family and friends, quiet nights with just me and my sister, spending time with Al and Jenn, (just like old times) and even going in to the Citizen to take care of 'work' details. And yet when the day came to return to Addis I was still unable to answer this question, with any degree of certainty: "When will you be returning for good to Canada"?

My long overdue trip home and my blog!

I began this blog the day before flying home, July 25th, so I owe it to myself and my readers to finish it before my next trip!  Here goes:

Well it's been a year so it's time for a visit home.  When I came to Ethiopia it was a lot cheaper to book a return trip ticket. Since then, the possibility of a visit home has been ever so tempting.  The only stipulation was that the ticket needed to be used before July 27, 2014. Well I'm booked to leave tomorrow evening, July 21 at 10:40 pm.  By 10:30 am, July 22/14 I should be in Ottawa.  Paul will not be accompanying me as he is busy, busy writing two proposals. That's the only down side of what should be a wonderful trip.

My return trip home proceeded with minimal disruption by Ethiopian standards.  Paul took me to the airport and as if entering the Addis Airport doesn't have enough rules and regulations, they've added a new one. To enter the airport you must go through a metal detector and your luggage goes through a scanner. Typically if you want to enter the airport, but are not flying you need to buy a ticket at booths outside the airport which either have long, riduculous lines or are just not open.  We've never needed the tickets on those occasions when one of us aren't travelling because our Canadian Embassy Residency cards usually do the trick.  Of course this time due to Ethiopia's ever changing rules, Paul wasn't allowed to accompany me to check in.  Annoying!  Fortunately the lines were relatively short so I was able to check my two bags in pretty good time and then proceed to Immigration. There are so many steps to follow before actually reaching your gate. They all involve taking off your shoes, coat, belt,  being subjected to yet another metal detector,  having your carry on scanned and showing your boarding pass and passport. It's a miracle that you don't lose something because by time you reach the gate area, you have to do it all again. Then when you finally reach the gate you have to line up, again, at the gate reception desk to then show your boarding pass and passport. I mean seriously people, how did you think I would have reached this far had I NOT gone through the tedious and repeitive airport procedures to this point? And if anyone has ever had the pleasure of being in an Ethiopian line, you'll understand that 'line up protocol' is severely lacking. No wonder drivers never stay in their lanes. If there's an 'opening' take it. Buttinskis rule!  But I'm getting off topic, back to boarding! Just when you think you can safely put away your boarding pass and passport they announce that we're boarding and you have to show it, Again!  In Ethiopia you are advised to be at the airport 3 hours before your flight. The first time I was told that I just laughed, seriously! After a year of travelling and frequently using the Addis Airport, I just 'groan'.

The flight home with Ethiopian Air was long, but they treat you very well. So well in fact that they feel it's their obligation to wake you to offer you more food.  The flight took off at 10:50 pm so why in the next 30 minutes would I require a full dinner? All in all it's not all that bad as at least eating or stirring your food around passes the time. The wine isn't half bad. I use it to help induce sleep! Seriously.  I arrived in Toronto right on time at 7:30 AM the following morning.  I was flying on Ethiopian Air's Dreamliner 787. It is a really confortable plane considering the length of time the flight takes. It also holds a lot of passengers and the flight was full. Customs went pretty smoothly though I was prepared to answer how I, Katherine Gabel, Mad Shopper, had nothing to declare after a year in Ethiopia. Have you been there? Fortunately the Custom's Officer wasn't aware of my Shop Ops tendencies and I breezed through.  I rushed to the baggage claim as I began to suspect by 9:10 AM connecting flight to Ottawa might be in jeopardy,  Alas, why did I rush over to the baggage carousel only to watch the luggage of every other passenger circle around and around. By time I retrieved my bags it was @ 8:10 and I was feeling optimistic about making my Ottawa connection. Oh yeah, that was until I reached the connecting flight's conveyor belt.  I was about to place my luggage on the belt when I was asked where I was flying from. Addis Ababa, I replied, Oh, says the A/C attendant, your luggage will have to be re-scanned because of where you are flying from. I asked if this was a new procedure since this didn't happen when I had flown in April.  No she says, but they don't scan 'properly' in Addis and the scanners for connecting luggage isn't sophisticated enough so you'll have to take your luggage up to the 3rd floor for check in and scanning. ARE you kidding me?  Well needless to say WHO am I to argue with that kind of logic? But seriously, have you been to an Ethiopian Airport? Scanning is what they do and alot of it!! Anyways my 9:10 am flight was lost and the A/C attendent graciously booked me on the 10:10 am flight, charged me $75 for a flight change fee and $20 A/C charge for my second bag. I had been in Canada less than 30 minutes, had spent @ $100, but the good news was, I was able to use my Visa, a card that has little or no use in the cash driven Ethiopia!

So I delayed my re-union with my sister Gail and my daughter Jennifer by 1 hour, but thanks to the beauty of phone texting they weren't too inconvenienced.

It was an amazing feeling coming down the escalator and seeing my sister standing there (crying) and my daughter holding a sign that read "Ma! Where's the meatloaf?"   I had arrived!