Lodging Woes

For the past year, Brian and I have been researching, dreaming, and debating about where we would stay when we're in Ethiopia. We considered all options, including one that would put us in a "posh" hotel, making the trip an exotic vacation; or one putting us in a comfortable, yet practical guest house, where we would "live" with other families for a while. There are many options in between, too. We finally settled on the Hilton, which is very nice, but still affordable, and has a nice pool and garden area. Even to be safe, we came up with a back-up plan, of a new hotel called the Damu, which is supposedly nice and clean, but considerably smaller than the Hilton.

Well, here we are, now a few hours less than two weeks from traveling, and we have NO place to stay. The Hilton is booked. Even the ridiculously expensive Sheraton is booked. We can't get through to the Damu, and our travel agent has more-or-less given up on trying other hotels, saying "this is usually the slow time of year, I don't know why all the hotels are full".

So, in an attempt to prevent us being homeless our first week with our son, I have decided to come up with a contingency plan, and book two rooms in the guest house. I don't even know if they have two rooms available, and at this point, probably won't know until Monday. Even if they do have availability, I'm not exactly thrilled, as I am the type who really likes privacy - and her own bathroom.

Okay, I know I need to remind myself that I am traveling to a third-world country, and I really shouldn't be picky about where I stay. After all, the ENTIRE object of this trip is to get our precious baby in our arms! And to be honest, I really don't have many expectations for our trip. I am going to try and be flexible, and do what we can, and know that some day we will travel back there for a family vacation - when we can pick our own dates. :)