A Whirlwind Week!

It's All Coming Together!

Sorry we haven't posted.  It's been a whirlwind week and obstacles trying to slow us down. 

We received word on Monday morning at 11:25 that our TA reached the adoption agency.  By Tuesday morning, had confirmation of our consulate appointment, (ie: US Consulate Appointment or better known as CA) and flights by lunch time!!!!

 Earl was on the phone with Continental booking flights by lunch time Tuesday.  After 2 hours and 40 minutes later, (yes, no exaggeration) our flights were booked!  Earl had proactively reserved a hotel room several weeks ago, so it was only a matter of confirming the exact dates with the hotel. 

China has several events taking place that are causing hotel rooms to book quickly.  We didn't want to be forced to delay our travel should the TA arrive during one of the events, so Earl proactively reserved a hotel room for several weeks.  

We are booked at the Hyatt in Guangzhou...not on Shamian Island.  We didn't want to pay the astronomical prices and sleep on hard beds at the White Swan and besides, we prefer to be at a Western based hotel and Earl has elite status at the Hyatt, given all the business travel he has done to China.  The Hyatt was a better fit for us.  Last year when we were in Guangzhou with Sterling's adoption, we were at the Marriott, also off the island and it was only a short taxi drive to Shamian Island.  Shamian Island is where the visa photo and medical clinic is located.  Most adoptive families prefer to lodge on Shamian Island and at the White Swan or Victory hotel.

We've been working with our agency's travel contact to secure a guide/translator for our adoption related appointments and to schedule time at Miao's orphanage for a visit and a visit to Safari Park.  (Safari Park-where one may feed the animals-like baby tigers-and pet them--I'm looking forward to this)  We've been going back and forth because the price was MUCH more than we anticipated and the itinerary had extras we didn't want or need and didn't have a couple of items we requested.  Long story, short, we are moving forward with our agency's requested guide, removed the "extras" that were added and working behind the scenes to schedule the 2 items we want but not able to schedule with this particular company. 

NOTE those adoptive parents reading our blog: be prepared, this part of the adoption isn't discussed very often and when it is, the pricing isn't shared...the estimate our agency provided was WAY off...way off.  Any adoptive parent that wants to know more details, we will gladly share!  Contact us.  Wish we had known this earlier in the process and had not been caught off-guard.   Either way, we now have a guide/translator to help get us through the adoption process at the CCAA, The US Consulate and our daugther's passport & visa.  YEA!!!!

Blessings to All!
Earl & Sharee