From mom 10/28

Hawassa, Ethiopia

This beer has been very popular with Mark and Erica.

Beautiful Lake Hawassa

We're going to Erica's site soon. Ben in touch in a few days! Feeling excited to understand more about her daily life.

From mom 10/27

OMG we just arrived at the fabulous Lewis Resort in Hawassa. Paradise!

The Lewis Resort is right on Lake Hawassa!

From dad 10/26

First group of photos from Addis Ababa: Scenes from the National Museum of Ethiopia with our guide and the famous skeleton of Lucy.

On our first full day in Addis Ababa we got a tour of the city. Here are some scenes: former palace of Emperor Haille Sellasie, now Ethnographic Museum, emperor’s bed & historic king.

More from Addis Ababa: View of City of 5 million from on top of mountain w/women carrying loads of sticks and images from huge central market.

Third group from Addis: Scenes from amazing restaurant- Yod Abysina - with music & dancing.

From mom 10/26 evening

Photos can hardly do justice to the fabulousness of Yod Abyssinia in Addis. Music, dancing, delicious food and honey wine (Tej)

We follow Erica like ducklings!

From mom 10/25-26

Ready for the first part of our journey to Ethiopia. Erica just let us know that she won’t be able to meet us at the airport because the road from the south is closed. She will arrive a few hours after we do - also by plane. We will be so relieved and excited to see her.

After 13 hours on the plane, and only 1 hour of sleep, this is a very welcome sight

An ancient statue of the fertility goddess from our fabulous day tour of Addis Ababa

Our stop at Tomoca Coffee shop was a highlight

U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa message

From Ambassador Mike -

Those of you who follow our policies, programs, and comments know how strongly and consistently we support a united Ethiopia working together for peace, prosperity, and political inclusiveness. And you know we stand shoulder to shoulder with all Ethiopians of good will working to achieve these outcomes. We are deeply troubled by the recent hatred, inflammatory language, and violence, as we are by all such incidents in Ethiopia. Violence and hatred are the solution to exactly none of Ethiopia’s challenges.

As we have done before, do now, and hope not to have to do in the future, we condemn in the strongest terms all those who engage in violence and all those who incite violence. There is no justification for such behavior, ever.

For Ethiopia to build the peaceful, prosperous, and politically inclusive future that so many of you tell us you want to see, Ethiopians must unify around, and work toward, that vision. Anyone who undercuts these efforts undercuts the best interests of all Ethiopians, now and in the future.

In the end, each of us is responsible for our actions and decisions. Provoking violence is morally reprehensible. So too is failing to reject such provocation. All of us have the freedom — and more importantly, the responsibility — to choose peace, unity, and tolerance. There is never a good reason to do otherwise.

This week's veggies from Hawassa - plus whole wheat rolls and rosemary!