"I could only imagine that the future I was walking toward could compare in any way to the past that i was leaving behind."-Rolihlahla
After four years as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) I can easily figure out my plane's call sign. Simply take the name of the airline and add the flight number (ie United1042)
Today is June 29, and I am minutes from landing in the land of my birthplace. I can hear the wheels coming down as I suspect the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ATC just cleared us to land. Inside I can barely contain my excitement and my anxiety is compounded as my ears pop from our quick descent.
The soundtrack: Melodic, Ethiopian Jazz vibrates through my headphones as mountains peep in the majestic, hazy sky. The earth becomes larger as trees and man made structures begin to appear larger and larger. I am home. Violently the wheels touch down and the gears roar like thunder. It is 8:29 AM and I am minutes from re-uniting with my birth mother, sister, aunts, uncles and cousins. I take a deep breath as I take my first step off the plane towards the journey ahead...
![Making Tariku [History]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNfDSuFiKCYdGk8xaNHlHQvJTGvE-MNcM5aHrHvCCj4YI565QzONZ7wNq8IXihbrST02lLZu_y5QmPeUVdt68KcWMR8mPRcnIUop3Zqk3Ais-MDtKFk4grP32e4E_wEEEUGG20p2kSQ/s1600/7831_155286280755_500015755_3155695_5533464_n.jpg)
A dear friend asked me what Tariku meant (my last name). As simple as it was, I never inquired its meaning. I found out that Tariku means “His History.” This link is to a blog that puts into words the things I rarely talk about and the journeys I will never forget. Part 1- Ethiopia Part 2- Uganda Part 3- (to be contd...)
About a month ago, an Ethiopian airline accidentally called me on my tower freq, and of course I thought of you! Hope your skies have been smooth so far.
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