Dreaming about Ethiopia

[calpurnia]

This is very far-off, but I am thinking about it anyway!

So, first off, DP & I have done a lot of travelling in tough situations. Between us, we have lived in India, Morocco, Spain, Switzerland, New Zealand, South Africa & Zambia, & travelled way more! I include that information to make clear that we are not naive about the rigours of travelling or the reality of situations in the developing world & that we are pretty adaptable... Well, not this summer but the one after we have the opportunity to spend about 6 weeks in Ethiopia - the baby (if everything goes well etc) will be a year old. It's our first child, so we don't have any real understanding of how easy or hard it can be to travel with a child. Are we being ridiculous for even considering it?

I think we can do it, with no reason since I have no real experience, but I am surrounded by nay-sayers (also without children)... We don't have to make our minds up straightaway, but it's something I'm really dreaming about, & I don't want to be deluding myself!

[kmamma]

go for it! i travelled with my son overseas (to visit family however) when he was 7 months and again at 18 months, when we moved back home to sweden for half a year. when he was 2 we drove from mn to or, and back again 8 months later. travelling does not have to be harder with children. i didn't experience it that way. our first plane ride, at 7 mos was the hardest (last leg on the way home) simply because he still got fussy at times, which happened to coincide with landing when I had to sit with him restricted for 20 min while he was wailing. With a one-year-old you'll be fine. if you're as experienced as you are with travelling, it won't be any harder with a child. People in our culture assume children are by nature "difficult", which is not true of course.

[cappuccinosmom]

If you are already an experienced traveller, I'm sure you'll do just fine in Ethiopia, even with a baby. I think some of the biggest hinderances to people travelling with children is the dependence on Western conveniences--strollers, bottles, formula, pack-n-plays, etc.

If you have the chance to go to Ethiopia, take it! I have to admit a little bias (I married an Ethiopian :love) but truly it is such a beautiful country. The people are so hospitable and soooooo beautiful. And lots of interesting things to see and experience.

I don't know if you have your accomodations already arranged, but we much preferred one of the many guesthouses over hotels. More of a community feeling.

[annethcz]

Another vote for go for it! I've only been to Ethiopia once, and I stayed in the capitol city Addis Ababa. But it is a beautiful place, and I found the people to be so friendly and accomidating. I was in Ethiopia for a week to meet and bring my son home, and didn't find it difficult at all to get around with a child. If you breastfeed, co-sleep, and wear/carry your child, you'll be a step ahead of other western travellers. I think that one of the biggest challenges may be the long flight with a toddler.

I agree with Maggie that guesthouses provide a better feel for the country, but there are many western conveniences, including nice hotels, available in Addis Ababa.

[calpurnia]

Thanks guys! That's really reassuring (& I've been searching all the forums for threads on travel with babes as well :D)

[domesticzookeeper]

I've been to Ethiopia and absolutely fell in love with the country. I also have friends that have visited with their (four!) young sons, so I'd definitely say that's do-able :wink