Since they are Orthodox Christians the old Orthodox churches in Lalibela are very significant for them. We are charged 350 birr entrance fee (that is a little over $20) but they can all visit for free! I am so glad they didn't have to pay- they went on the tour one day, and we stayed at the hotel because we have been through the churches (that is when I joined Brian on the 8th grade trip right after Vicky's wedding). So we had this very nice veranda area at our hotel to just have a coffee and lounge and relax together. The boys were great- they went back every day to the churches, back through the tunnels/etc. (these are rock-hewn churches) and they all took empty water bottles to bring back "holy water"- very important to them! Anyways, they were so energetic and really took advantage of being there.
One evening Brian gave a little talk- told each of the guys what he especially appreciated about them- Brian was so choked up! I had a few things of appreciation I wanted to say myself, but mostly I just sat back and was impressed- Brian has a really good thing going- he has treated these guys very well- been maybe more flexible or generous than my nature would be, but that has created amazing relationships with them and they KNOW he is a man of integrity, and they think the absolute world of him. I was proud of him! Later one guard told us, "It was because of you I got sick. I couldn't sleep at all that night." He meant because he was emotionally overwhelmed by what Brian said. It is not neccesarily their culture to give verbal appreciation like that, but I think they all really really liked it!
We flew home Sunday, rushed home, put on our fancy clothes, and went to a wedding- Danny and Betty are two project managers from the HIV project, and we missed the ceremony because our flight was late but the reception was cool.
Well, I better go put on the croque mosieurs for dinner now that Brian's home.
