Today we got up early to meet our guide for our consulate appointment. Davina does not do early, although fortunately, she is able to be teased about it. She moves very slowly in the morning. I didn't get her up early enough and we missed getting to breakfast. We had to grab something to eat in the van on the way to the consulate.
As we were loading into the van, our guide got a call from another guide who had a family with a consulate appointment too, but their transportation had broken down. Our guide offered for them to ride with us. We were happy to share. I am thankful that our guide has the reputation to be helpful! What a great witness.
When we got to the consulate, we skirted around the long lines of Chinese people waiting outside hoping for a visa appointment. We went up a few levels and then our guide began to give us instructions because she is not permitted to go along with us into that area of the consulate. I acted nervous (mostly acting!) but I wasn't too nervous because there were several other families in line and I knew we could follow the crowd and figure things out. Before we went to the consulate, our guide told us that NO ELECTRONICS, even our translator, were allowed in the consulate. Not everyone gets this coaching, though, because as we headed through security there was a guy arguing why he should be allowed to be the exception and bring in his cellphone. Sheesh.
Up the escalator we went and followed the signs to adoptions. Here we sat in a waiting room and over the next 10-15 minutes about 10 other families made their way up to the room. We still had seen no workers behind the windows, but finally the supervisor of adoption visas greeted us and explained some general information on the consulate process and immigration. After that all of the parents stood to take an oath that our paperwork was truthful as far as we knew. More waiting and then Davina's name was called first! We whispered "winners!" to each other and headed to the window. The worker, from Jacksonville, FL, had to ask Davina a few questions to ensure that she she consented to moving to the US (we had anticipated this--our guide prepares us for everything). Davina agreed, signed her name, I signed my name...and we were told to sit down again. Not winners after all :(
More sitting and waiting and listening to children play with the toys in a little area right behind us. The children were all really cute but there was one boy who was really loud. Davina and I agreed that we hope he is not on our flight home!
Finally we were called back up to the window. I had to make a small correction to one form because we changed Davina's name after it was submitted. The worker stamped some pages then told us we had to go to another window in another room for Davina to be fingerprinted (again, not a surprise). We went there and with no waiting, Davina was quickly fingerprinted and we were done.
As we rode down the escalator, our guide saw us and said she was so happy to see us! I think she was worried for two reasons...I had acted nervous about leaving her...and also because a week ago the consulate had been shut down due to the white powder episode. At that time our guide had two families upstairs and they were detained for several hours while the situation was assessed. During that time our guide had no contact with the families so I am sure she was wondering what was taking us so long! I assured her that we did not get lost, but that we were one of the last families from our group called up.
We came back to the hotel and Davina napped. For lunch we got sandwiches from the little deli across the street, we packed and I prepared ten gifts for our guides. At night we had planned to go to the noodle restaurant, but it was pouring so we ate noodle bowls in the room instead. We will eat at the restaurant for lunch on Wednesday.
And so ends our last full day in China. We are both ready to leave. I know Davina will miss this place. I will miss the food. I hope Davina and I can figure out now to cook some of the delicious foods we have eaten here. But I look forward to eating them at home. Home. Ready to be there!
"Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give praise to Your holy name and glory in Your praise." Psalm 106:46
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