We left for the airport at 6 am. The hotel had packed us breakfasts to go - banana, pear, yogurt, bottled water, hard boiled egg, ham and bread, and dim sum. Elvin walked us in and helped us to check in, and somehow got all our boarding passes for all of our flights printed for us, and checked our luggage all the way through to San Francisco! Thanks, Elvin!
The first flight went pretty well. Jack was a little fussy but not too bad. We had gate checked our stroller, then when we landed in Beijing we weren’t at a gate. We had to climb down stairs, take a shuttle bus from the plane to the terminal, then find our way to our international connection and we never did find the stroller. Amazingly, we had met a family on the flight from Guangzhou to Beijing who would also be on our Beijing to San Francisco flight, and they had to leave the secure area to get their boarding passes printed. They found their stroller, and ours! It was so nice of them to bring it to us. I wish I knew their names so I could write them a thank you note. They had adopted the most adorable little girl, and I think they told Rich that they lived in Washington state?
The stewardesses on the flight from Beijing to San Francisco were wonderful and managed to rearrange the seating so that Em and I had an empty seat between us for Jack. It was nice to not have to hold him the whole time! He slept for quite a while!
San Francisco to Austin also went pretty well - we all slept for most of the flight, Jack included! The two flight attendants were very nice and helpful.
It is so wonderful to finally be home.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Feb. 23, 2012 Six Banyan Temple
Feb 23
Today we went on a tour of the Six Banyan Temple, a Buddhist temple that has been in the same spot for hundreds of years. It has a 300 year old 9-story pagoda that, until modern times, had been the tallest building for miles around. Elvin told us that at the top of the pagoda, a torch would have been lit at night, so that everyone for miles around could follow the torchlight to the temple for food or shelter, or whatever help they needed. The temple even has its own hotel, for pilgrims who come from far away to pray there!
We saw the past, present, and future Buddhas, a shrine to Kwan Yin (who is said to help bring children to families...), and others. We received a blessing from a very kind monk, who chanted and played a small drum, and poured holy water on our heads. He was very patient with Jack and I - we had to stand in the back because when I tried to kneel with the others, Jack screamed!
We ate lunch at a wonderful Thai restaurant up the street from Lucy’s - it was all outside, under canopies. We had pork, chicken satay, pineapple fried rice, the ever-present boiled peanuts, and hot tea. 7-up for the kids!
After 5 that evening, Elvin called our room and told us that Jack’s visa and other paperwork were ready to go, so I went down to pick them up.
That evening we packed up our bags for the trip home!
Today we went on a tour of the Six Banyan Temple, a Buddhist temple that has been in the same spot for hundreds of years. It has a 300 year old 9-story pagoda that, until modern times, had been the tallest building for miles around. Elvin told us that at the top of the pagoda, a torch would have been lit at night, so that everyone for miles around could follow the torchlight to the temple for food or shelter, or whatever help they needed. The temple even has its own hotel, for pilgrims who come from far away to pray there!
We saw the past, present, and future Buddhas, a shrine to Kwan Yin (who is said to help bring children to families...), and others. We received a blessing from a very kind monk, who chanted and played a small drum, and poured holy water on our heads. He was very patient with Jack and I - we had to stand in the back because when I tried to kneel with the others, Jack screamed!
We ate lunch at a wonderful Thai restaurant up the street from Lucy’s - it was all outside, under canopies. We had pork, chicken satay, pineapple fried rice, the ever-present boiled peanuts, and hot tea. 7-up for the kids!
After 5 that evening, Elvin called our room and told us that Jack’s visa and other paperwork were ready to go, so I went down to pick them up.
That evening we packed up our bags for the trip home!
Feb. 22, 2012 Consulate Appointment
Feb. 22
Consulate appointment
We got up bright and early and were in the bus by 7:15. We headed over to pick up the other family at the other hotel, then went to the US Consulate. We had to wait for a few minutes while someone brought paperwork to Elvin. While we were waiting he talked to me about Jack’s Chinese name, Shen Kaizhou. Shen is the family name, all the children brought to the orphanage that year have the same name. Kai means the beginning, and zhou means boat. Elvin translated it as the beginning of a boat voyage, and new possibilities. He said it is a good, strong name.
When it was time, we rode the escalators up to the fourth floor, and waited in line to show our passports to the guard. Then we were allowed up to the fifth floor. The guides aren’t allowed upstairs, so we were on our own for this part. We had to go through security (like at the airport, but we could keep our shoes on!), then we had a seat and waited. The head of the adoption unit came out and spoke to us, then we took the oath that all the info we had submitted was true. After that, we waited for our child’s name to be called (“the family of Shen Kaizhou”) and Rich went up to the window to answer the questions and sign the paperwork. Then we went back to our hotel. Jack's passport with the US Visa should be delivered to us tomorrow, along with the infamous "brown envelope" THAT IS NOT TO BE OPENED until we deliver it to the immigration worker at our port of entry in the US. They always make it sound so ominous!
That afternoon we did a bit of shopping and walking around the island. It rained a bit, then we had a downpour! We stopped off to sit at Starbucks and have hot chocolate, coffee, or tea and some cheesecake under one of the big umbrellas!
Consulate appointment
We got up bright and early and were in the bus by 7:15. We headed over to pick up the other family at the other hotel, then went to the US Consulate. We had to wait for a few minutes while someone brought paperwork to Elvin. While we were waiting he talked to me about Jack’s Chinese name, Shen Kaizhou. Shen is the family name, all the children brought to the orphanage that year have the same name. Kai means the beginning, and zhou means boat. Elvin translated it as the beginning of a boat voyage, and new possibilities. He said it is a good, strong name.
When it was time, we rode the escalators up to the fourth floor, and waited in line to show our passports to the guard. Then we were allowed up to the fifth floor. The guides aren’t allowed upstairs, so we were on our own for this part. We had to go through security (like at the airport, but we could keep our shoes on!), then we had a seat and waited. The head of the adoption unit came out and spoke to us, then we took the oath that all the info we had submitted was true. After that, we waited for our child’s name to be called (“the family of Shen Kaizhou”) and Rich went up to the window to answer the questions and sign the paperwork. Then we went back to our hotel. Jack's passport with the US Visa should be delivered to us tomorrow, along with the infamous "brown envelope" THAT IS NOT TO BE OPENED until we deliver it to the immigration worker at our port of entry in the US. They always make it sound so ominous!
That afternoon we did a bit of shopping and walking around the island. It rained a bit, then we had a downpour! We stopped off to sit at Starbucks and have hot chocolate, coffee, or tea and some cheesecake under one of the big umbrellas!
Feb. 21, 2012 Another Day Off
Feb. 21
Today we dropped off more laundry, and we bought a stroller. It is a nice one, hope I can get it back to the US in one piece! Jack is getting heavy in the baby carrier all the time, and since he can’t walk I am carrying him all over! We crossed the pedestrian bridge and went walking in the herb market and the pet market, and we saw the pedestrian street full of little shops. The kids each got a big lollipop, and Bubba got a couple little toys. Rich got a fake iphone! If it works with her sim card, Em might use it! Rich says it’s an android phone in an iphone body. It even has fake apps. We found the KFC for lunch, and got Jack 2 mashed potatoes. He also liked the ice cream sundae, Evie and Bubba both cried at their first taste of ice cream when they were babies, but Jack loved it!
Tomorrow is our Consulate appointment!
Today we dropped off more laundry, and we bought a stroller. It is a nice one, hope I can get it back to the US in one piece! Jack is getting heavy in the baby carrier all the time, and since he can’t walk I am carrying him all over! We crossed the pedestrian bridge and went walking in the herb market and the pet market, and we saw the pedestrian street full of little shops. The kids each got a big lollipop, and Bubba got a couple little toys. Rich got a fake iphone! If it works with her sim card, Em might use it! Rich says it’s an android phone in an iphone body. It even has fake apps. We found the KFC for lunch, and got Jack 2 mashed potatoes. He also liked the ice cream sundae, Evie and Bubba both cried at their first taste of ice cream when they were babies, but Jack loved it!
Tomorrow is our Consulate appointment!
Feb. 20, 2012 A Day Off?
Feb. 20
Jack had a high fever (my thermometer said 105.5 under the arm!) so I called Elvin and he took us over to the medical clinic to see the doctor. He had a group of families with older children going anyway, they had to get their TB tests from Saturday read.
I gave Jack a dose of baby tylenol, and of course by the time we got there his fever was back to normal. I have a feeling that they all thought I was overreacting. The doctor ended up giving us a prescription for tylenol cold and cough, pediatric version! The whole trip only cost us RMB 20, or about $3! We stayed home from the walking tour, but did go on a little stroll later on. Rich and I brought back assorted deli shop lunches. I’m still waiting for my chicken curry! They haven’t had it yet. We did Lucy’s again for supper, it’s something that Evie and Bubba will eat, and they’ve not been eating very well lately.
Jack had a high fever (my thermometer said 105.5 under the arm!) so I called Elvin and he took us over to the medical clinic to see the doctor. He had a group of families with older children going anyway, they had to get their TB tests from Saturday read.
I gave Jack a dose of baby tylenol, and of course by the time we got there his fever was back to normal. I have a feeling that they all thought I was overreacting. The doctor ended up giving us a prescription for tylenol cold and cough, pediatric version! The whole trip only cost us RMB 20, or about $3! We stayed home from the walking tour, but did go on a little stroll later on. Rich and I brought back assorted deli shop lunches. I’m still waiting for my chicken curry! They haven’t had it yet. We did Lucy’s again for supper, it’s something that Evie and Bubba will eat, and they’ve not been eating very well lately.
Feb. 19, 2012 Safari Park
Feb. 19
Jack and I stayed home from the Safari Park, but the rest of the family went. Evie took lots of pictures, so head on over to her blog later on to get the scoop!
When the group got back we went to dinner at the traditional Chinese restaurant near the white swan. I got my 3 cup chicken, but they didn’t have any green beans. We also had lotus root and mushrooms, some sort of ribs, rice, boiled peanuts, pigeon and pigeon eggs, tripe, and maybe something else? Oh, and yummy Oolong tea. Jack wasn’t feeling well so Rich and I took turns walking him around.
Jack and I stayed home from the Safari Park, but the rest of the family went. Evie took lots of pictures, so head on over to her blog later on to get the scoop!
When the group got back we went to dinner at the traditional Chinese restaurant near the white swan. I got my 3 cup chicken, but they didn’t have any green beans. We also had lotus root and mushrooms, some sort of ribs, rice, boiled peanuts, pigeon and pigeon eggs, tripe, and maybe something else? Oh, and yummy Oolong tea. Jack wasn’t feeling well so Rich and I took turns walking him around.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Feb. 18, 2012 Medical Exam day
Feb. 18, 2012 Medical Exam day
We met the other families this morning. (I think there are 8 of us from the same agency here right now!) We got the visa pictures taken for each baby (Jack is crying in his picture, again!), then walked over for the medical exam. Not a fun place to be. First you sit around and wait, then you wait in long lines for your turn to see each doctor/nurse (3 if your child is under 2, 4 if over!) We only needed to see the 3.
Poor Jack is sick and running a little fever, but when the nurses did his vitals, he was screaming and his fever spiked to 102.4! They bypassed the line and took us right in to see the doctor, who fussed at us a little for not giving him medication this morning. (His fever wasn't high enough for medication until they made him scream!) The doctor also did a thorough exam, and really examined Jack's hands and feet carefully. He kept writing, checking Jack, thinking, writing more, looking more, thinking more, and so on. I was getting a bit worried after the troubles we had there with the last two, but he finally signed off on the report. Then our guide went and brought the ENT to us for an exam, no waiting (how did that happen?). Then we went out into the waiting room and finally settled Jack down. I am so grateful that there is a vaccination waiver this time around, so Jack didn't have to get so many shots like Andy had to in 2010. Now our pediatrician at home can give him the needed vaccines on a more realistic schedule than 7 shots in two days!
We picked up lunch from the White Swan Deli Shop (bbq pork and rice, and ox and noodles!), and water and juice from 7-eleven. We went walking around after my 2:30 paperwork meeting with Elvin, our guide. We ate dinner at Lucy's (Jack loves mashed potatoes!). Dad bought Evie a Lucy's Guangzhou ball cap!
If Jack isn't feeling better tomorrow, he and I might stay back at the hotel while the others go to the Safari Park.
Feb. 17, 2012 Flight to Guangzhou
Feb. 17, 2012 Flight to Guangzhou
Jin was able to pick up Jack's passport early, so she booked us on an earlier flight to Guangzhou. Jack did surprisingly well (hoping I didn't just jinx us for the LONG flight home!)
We are staying at the Victory East, two connecting rooms. It is a nice hotel, nothing like the White Swan or even the Aqua City Nanjing, but nice.
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