Lion Zoo

Last night was interesting.  Crew was pretty cranky until midnight when we broke down and fed him early.  He was good after that, but just a very restless sleeper which keeps us awake.  The noise machine was not working as we did not have power much at all last night and that kept Chris up, so not much rest.  It makes us want to come home as soon as we can.  Our trip this morning was to the lion zoo.  It was tiny, but the lions were not.  The cages were small, but we were very close to them.  There is no way the US would let zoogoers that close to the animals.  The Black mane lions were pretty cool.  The male’s mane was very black.  We also saw a baboon open its mouth for people to toss food into.  They have a ton of very large teeth.  During that time, our guide went to the US Embassy to procure Crew’s passport, visa, and mystery envelop for US customs.  We cannot open this envelope.  The US customs officer will open it upon arrival in the US.  That was an exciting moment because these are the documents that confirm his US citizenship and are the last official documents that we need on this trip.  So whether Crew likes it or not, he will be an American as soon as we land on US soil. 

We went to lunch which was a 3 hour experience of mostly waiting.  It was in an art gallery, full of local paintings and sculptures.  The owner and the waiters were extremely helpful and nice.  Crew was very cranky during this time.  I went to the bathroom to change Crew’s diaper.  The owner saw me and took me to his office.  He cleared off this desk and then closed the blinds so we would have some privacy while changing his diaper right on the owner’s desk.  When we came back, Crew was super mad about the diaper change on top of him being cranky already.  All the waiters kept coming over and offering to hold him and play with him to keep Crew from crying.  One of the waiters told me to put him on a dining table by the window.  He moved off the table cloth as Crew was sliding on it.  The waiter played with Crew for 10-15 minutes by making sounds, drumming, and playing games near the open window.  This is a custom we would love to see come to American restaurants. 

After lunch, we went back for more shopping.  Crew and Justin’s favorite past time.  It was also our guide’s favorite as he is there numerous times a week.  We definitely feel like there is a target on our back when we are out in public.  We are either being stared at, asked for food, asked for money, or asked to come into the little shops as you walk by.  Not to mention asked for a shoe shine, or if we want to buy a map or music or etc. you get the idea.  We were able to buy some Ethiopian music at a shop that sold CDs and tapes…yes tons of tapes, which is interesting considering our guide has an iPod.  The clash of technology and culture is very evident.  Justin is hoping that the internet is working in a few hours when the games start.  We are hoping for better sleeping tonight.  We are very excited to fly out tomorrow (expect for the 17 hour flight to DC) and see everyone.