Bittersweet

I added some more photos to previous posts so check those out (I even took a photo of a guy wearing capri pants).

We recieved a wonderful gift today, a glimpse into Della's life for the past year!  We were able to meet Della's foster mama Josee this afternoon!  I was very excited but a little nervous about how Della would respond once Mama Josee left.  She greeted me with a hug and asked to hold Della who was asleep.  We, of course said yes!  Della woke while we talked to Mama Josee and she didn't make a peep the whole time.  This woman loved our daughter so much, even knowing she would have to give her to us.  She told us almost everyday she showed Della our photos and told her we are her family.  That meant so much to us.  We told her we will make sure Della always remembers Mama Josee.  She is so selfless for giving us this gift, words cannot describe what this woman has done.  We talked for almost an hour and then we said goodbye.  Della did not cry at all as she left.  We hugged and she kissed each of my checks then on my lips and we thanked each other repeatedly in French "merce, merce".

In the late afternoon we went to what we thought was the market where you can buy African goods such as fabric and handmade goods but our staff, Etienne, thought we meant the grocery store (we'll do that later this week).  Doug stayed on with Della, we can't go out with the child, it's not safe and not at all well received.  The people of this country don't understand adoption.  Photos are not allowed to be taken in public, the government doesn't like it.  But I snuck a couple.....

This is the typical vehicle we travel in.

This woman did not have a full load of oranges like most we see, but still impressive!

This is one of the more "quiet" back streets.  While we were waiting here a man came up to the window with two huge basins of peanuts (which didn't look very fresh or clean) and stood for a short time, obviously trying to sell his goods.

When we go to town, there is usually several other stops being made, some of which are not discussed with us, others we find out after we leave what the purpose was.  It's all such an adventure, with a definite twist surprise.  We feel safe, there is always someone in the car with us who is agency staff.  This trip ended with a couple who just flew in last night meeting their child for the first time in the back of the vehicle.  They didn't even know it was happening until they saw  her being carried to the car by another woman. 

At the store there are guards at the doors to make sure only certain people enter such as UN workers or foreigners like ourselves.  The cashiers speak some english and are very nice.  And the store has everything you could ever need, like a mini Walmart.  Except the prices are a little different.  Our butter was more than $5 US dollars, more than 5,000 congolese francs.  Our friends bought two large oranges for the price of $15 US dollars!

Della has not had a fever since this morning but she has slept a lot.  We are hoping she's all better tomorrow.  I love her tight curls of hair, they look like tiny springs.