Monday, January 22, 2007
Diptee's first birthday.....
Elizabeth's daughter Diptee turned 1 while we were on the plane coming to Kathmandu, so we
decided to have a party for her here. It was great for all of us to get together and rehash all the
events of the day.
Going to the Embassy was very stressful, so it was great for us to let our hair down, watch the kids
play together and be so happy, and just relax for a bit.
A unique and diverse group of people, wonderful to be sharing this experience with.
Nepali custom is to let the birthday person cut the cake so Diptee got to!
Today is another "free" day because of a Nepali holiday, so my daughter and husband are sleeping.
We talked to my mom this am and she told us that Rowe was in the hospital for respitory problems,
something like pnemonia. So the stree of the Embassy is nothing compared to the stress of a
parent who can not be with her child in the hospital. I am trying to breath!
Prayers are apperciated.....
decided to have a party for her here. It was great for all of us to get together and rehash all the
events of the day.
Going to the Embassy was very stressful, so it was great for us to let our hair down, watch the kids
play together and be so happy, and just relax for a bit.
A unique and diverse group of people, wonderful to be sharing this experience with.
Nepali custom is to let the birthday person cut the cake so Diptee got to!
Today is another "free" day because of a Nepali holiday, so my daughter and husband are sleeping.
We talked to my mom this am and she told us that Rowe was in the hospital for respitory problems,
something like pnemonia. So the stree of the Embassy is nothing compared to the stress of a
parent who can not be with her child in the hospital. I am trying to breath!
Prayers are apperciated.....
Sunday, January 21, 2007
What next? Modeling?....
So here is a funny story. After breakfast this morning we came back to the room to get our papers inorder for the Embassy. The phone rings and it was one of the girls down at the front desk. She asked me if Paul, Sujina and I would come down to have our photos made for the Hotel and we would get a free lunch. She told us to be down there at 11am. Meanwhile Paul and Clay were supposed to be going to Children' s Home to get our last peices of paperwork and check on some dates.
Well 11am came and went and Paul had not left yet either. Sujina and I went down to the lobby to meet the lady and she told us it would be around 12:30. We told her we had to be a the Embassy at 1:30pm for our appointment. Raja Kumar finally came and brought all the papers we needed, so we were ready for the Embassy. At around 12:45 the lady at the front desk said they were ready, and she took us back up to the 3rd floor to a room that was very lovely and very large.
The hotel was shooting a peice for their new broshures and they had asked us to be their models. They asked us to sit on the couch with Sujina. They didn't direct us as to how to sit, just told us to be still.
The took about 10 shoots an dthen said we were done. As we were leaving the lady asked us when we were coming back from the Embassy. We told her about an hour or so we weren't sure. They said "would you come back for the bedroom shot?" I had to giggle, but we said yes. Did I need to bring my jammies?
We then went straight to the Embassy, we were all there. Elizabeth, Clay and Diptee, Dan, Lalaine, Sandha and Zachary, Radha and Pratistha and us. There were two other families as well, one we knew from the hotel and a new family from California.
We were all a little stressed. We wanted to be sure all of our paperwork was in order and that we had all of our photos we needed etc. We were supposed to by for the visa, we had travellers checks, you either pay in cash or Rupees. We didn't know this.
Finally they called us up to the window and told us we had all of our paperwork and they would call us on Wed to set up an appointment. So we will probably have an appointment on Thursday or Friday. It takes 24-72 hours to get the visa, so if we have our appointment on Thursday/Friday and we get through with no mishaps we will have our visa by Wed of next week when our flight home is! That is pushing it a bit I think.
So Paul ran out to the bank to change the travelers checks to cash and went back to the Embassy and paid.
When he came back to the hotel we had to finish our modeling shoot! We went back to the fancy room and in to the bedroom. They turned on the TV, put some magazines and the newspaper on the bedstand. We sat on the side of the bed and held Sujina. She really hammed it up for them, and I think they got some good shots. At least of her.
So tomorrow night we get a free dinner! Yeah!
Tomorrow is a holiday so we will just be hanging out. Tonight we are all getting together for dinner. Elizbeth sit it up with the banquet people, we have our own room and yummy food. Should be a good time. I think there will be some drinking of parents that need to relieve some stress.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but it will be one day closer to coming home.
Well 11am came and went and Paul had not left yet either. Sujina and I went down to the lobby to meet the lady and she told us it would be around 12:30. We told her we had to be a the Embassy at 1:30pm for our appointment. Raja Kumar finally came and brought all the papers we needed, so we were ready for the Embassy. At around 12:45 the lady at the front desk said they were ready, and she took us back up to the 3rd floor to a room that was very lovely and very large.
The hotel was shooting a peice for their new broshures and they had asked us to be their models. They asked us to sit on the couch with Sujina. They didn't direct us as to how to sit, just told us to be still.
The took about 10 shoots an dthen said we were done. As we were leaving the lady asked us when we were coming back from the Embassy. We told her about an hour or so we weren't sure. They said "would you come back for the bedroom shot?" I had to giggle, but we said yes. Did I need to bring my jammies?
We then went straight to the Embassy, we were all there. Elizabeth, Clay and Diptee, Dan, Lalaine, Sandha and Zachary, Radha and Pratistha and us. There were two other families as well, one we knew from the hotel and a new family from California.
We were all a little stressed. We wanted to be sure all of our paperwork was in order and that we had all of our photos we needed etc. We were supposed to by for the visa, we had travellers checks, you either pay in cash or Rupees. We didn't know this.
Finally they called us up to the window and told us we had all of our paperwork and they would call us on Wed to set up an appointment. So we will probably have an appointment on Thursday or Friday. It takes 24-72 hours to get the visa, so if we have our appointment on Thursday/Friday and we get through with no mishaps we will have our visa by Wed of next week when our flight home is! That is pushing it a bit I think.
So Paul ran out to the bank to change the travelers checks to cash and went back to the Embassy and paid.
When he came back to the hotel we had to finish our modeling shoot! We went back to the fancy room and in to the bedroom. They turned on the TV, put some magazines and the newspaper on the bedstand. We sat on the side of the bed and held Sujina. She really hammed it up for them, and I think they got some good shots. At least of her.
So tomorrow night we get a free dinner! Yeah!
Tomorrow is a holiday so we will just be hanging out. Tonight we are all getting together for dinner. Elizbeth sit it up with the banquet people, we have our own room and yummy food. Should be a good time. I think there will be some drinking of parents that need to relieve some stress.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but it will be one day closer to coming home.
Sorry to leave you hanging....
The taxi situation was a very confusing one, because first we were told there was not transport, then we were told that tourist could travel and no one would get "into trouble", but it seemed every time we went somewhere, Ministry, doctor, hotel we had to really negotiate for a taxi. This was not the case before, usually we would have a car waiting for us provided by Children's Home, or a taxi that waiting, but this time it seemed like they wanted to get away as soon as we got out. So everytime we had to find a new taxi and it also seemed that everytime they go smaller and smaller. We finally put Paul in the front seat and Clay in the back with Elizabeth and myself and the babies.
We arrived at the Dr. office, crossing the busy street which was not so busy but cars going much faster. The Doctor was out, due to be back at anytime. UGH... so we wait on the stairs. 15 minutes later here he was, very nice and apologizing for keeping us waiting. By the time he arrived there was a line of people waiting to see him. We walked in to his office, he had a large waiting room maybe 25 chairs and one door leading to his office. In his office he had two chairs, his desk, a stepon scale, and an examining table to laydown on. Nothing was clean, and his desk was a mess. I had flash backs of going to the dentist in India!
The doctor filled out the paperwork, we sat the girls on the scale to get their weight, he handed me a tape measure to try and see how long they were, he asked us their age and if we were happy with the girls. A rather strange question if you ask me. Then we had to go down the street and make two copies of all of all the forms and bring them back. He signed them and gave us the original copy in a envelope sealed only for the Embassy to open. Then we were finished.
We went back out to the street and hailed a new taxi and yes it was the smallest of them all. I kept telling Sujina not to get used to being held in a car because in America that doesn't happen.
We came back to the hotel and shared a bottle of wine between the four adults as the girls played on the floor. We now have all of our paperwork we need to take to the Embassy and we have an appointment there today at 1:30pm. Fingers crossed all will be well and go smoothly.
We arrived at the Dr. office, crossing the busy street which was not so busy but cars going much faster. The Doctor was out, due to be back at anytime. UGH... so we wait on the stairs. 15 minutes later here he was, very nice and apologizing for keeping us waiting. By the time he arrived there was a line of people waiting to see him. We walked in to his office, he had a large waiting room maybe 25 chairs and one door leading to his office. In his office he had two chairs, his desk, a stepon scale, and an examining table to laydown on. Nothing was clean, and his desk was a mess. I had flash backs of going to the dentist in India!
The doctor filled out the paperwork, we sat the girls on the scale to get their weight, he handed me a tape measure to try and see how long they were, he asked us their age and if we were happy with the girls. A rather strange question if you ask me. Then we had to go down the street and make two copies of all of all the forms and bring them back. He signed them and gave us the original copy in a envelope sealed only for the Embassy to open. Then we were finished.
We went back out to the street and hailed a new taxi and yes it was the smallest of them all. I kept telling Sujina not to get used to being held in a car because in America that doesn't happen.
We came back to the hotel and shared a bottle of wine between the four adults as the girls played on the floor. We now have all of our paperwork we need to take to the Embassy and we have an appointment there today at 1:30pm. Fingers crossed all will be well and go smoothly.
Ministry and travel documents.....
So yesterday we were told to be in the lobby around 10 to go get the girls travel documents from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After breakfast we go ready, Sujina went to sleep but Paul, Elizabeth, Clay and Diptee went down to the lobby. At 11:30 they were all back up here. They told me that they had learned that there was a transportaion strick and that all the hired vehicles were not supposed to be working. That meant that we woulld not be able to go to our appointments nor would we be able to get Sujina's travel doc and this would set up back going to the Embassy. We have an appointment for 1:30 on Monday.
(Paul and Sujina are getting dressed. It is funny to hear him talking to her about wearing tights, and pretty shirts etc....)
So instead of sitting around the room all day we decided to go out for another adventure. Mr. Tamata told Elizabeth that Raja Kumar would call us around 3pm to tell us about our paper work.
So we set out to Thamel and Durbar Square. We wanted to show Elizabeth and Clay where we were on Sat. We walked and shopped and walked and shopped, there were very few cars or motorcycles on the road and besides it putting us behind in paperwork it was great for walking around.
We saw soem young guys playing Parcheezi, they told Paul he could play for 20$, they were very cheeky. Little did they know that Paul plays with the Wilson Family so he could probably take them!
Paul bought a very cool wool coat and I bought a very cool diaper bag, some earrings for my mom and some overalls for Sujina. It was a good shopping day. We went back to the pizza place and ate.
It was close to 3 so we decided to get back to the hotel to see what was going on. You know Murphy's Law, when you told one thing the opposite thing comes true.
We walked back to the hotel and when we came in the door Raj Kumar was there out of breath saying " I have been looking for you!,we must go now because the Ministry wil close." What??? we were told no taxi etc.... well I guess for tourist they make exceptions. In fact ther were many people at our hotel that were waiting of a way to get to the airport. There was a large bus that came around to all of the hotels and picked us tourist to take them to the airport. The bus had a big sign that said Tourist only. I guess people get very upset if the taxi drivers dont obey the stricks and will put up blockades or ever shoot at them. Yikes.....
We got a little and I mean little taxi to take the six of us to the Ministry, and we were able to get Sujina's travel documents (passport). It was very anti climatic once we got there. The other bad news about the strick was that with out all of the other cars on the road the taxi's and motorcycles could go extra fast! Not fun. We felt like the clowns at the circus, the little car that has about 25 clowns get out of the tiny car.
We then drove to the Doctors office, but that is a different story.... breakfast is calling....
(Paul and Sujina are getting dressed. It is funny to hear him talking to her about wearing tights, and pretty shirts etc....)
So instead of sitting around the room all day we decided to go out for another adventure. Mr. Tamata told Elizabeth that Raja Kumar would call us around 3pm to tell us about our paper work.
So we set out to Thamel and Durbar Square. We wanted to show Elizabeth and Clay where we were on Sat. We walked and shopped and walked and shopped, there were very few cars or motorcycles on the road and besides it putting us behind in paperwork it was great for walking around.
We saw soem young guys playing Parcheezi, they told Paul he could play for 20$, they were very cheeky. Little did they know that Paul plays with the Wilson Family so he could probably take them!
Paul bought a very cool wool coat and I bought a very cool diaper bag, some earrings for my mom and some overalls for Sujina. It was a good shopping day. We went back to the pizza place and ate.
It was close to 3 so we decided to get back to the hotel to see what was going on. You know Murphy's Law, when you told one thing the opposite thing comes true.
We walked back to the hotel and when we came in the door Raj Kumar was there out of breath saying " I have been looking for you!,we must go now because the Ministry wil close." What??? we were told no taxi etc.... well I guess for tourist they make exceptions. In fact ther were many people at our hotel that were waiting of a way to get to the airport. There was a large bus that came around to all of the hotels and picked us tourist to take them to the airport. The bus had a big sign that said Tourist only. I guess people get very upset if the taxi drivers dont obey the stricks and will put up blockades or ever shoot at them. Yikes.....
We got a little and I mean little taxi to take the six of us to the Ministry, and we were able to get Sujina's travel documents (passport). It was very anti climatic once we got there. The other bad news about the strick was that with out all of the other cars on the road the taxi's and motorcycles could go extra fast! Not fun. We felt like the clowns at the circus, the little car that has about 25 clowns get out of the tiny car.
We then drove to the Doctors office, but that is a different story.... breakfast is calling....
the rest of the story.....
We are slowly getting our bodies adjusted to Nepali time, so we are not waking at 4am any longer. The down side is that it is harder for me to have time to blog. I tried last night but was just to tired to really make good sense so I stopped.
Walking around on Saturday just Paul, Sujina and myself helped me come to some understanding about this process and feelings I am having. I really dont like being the center of attention, especially in a foreign place when you just can't help but stick out. Adding to that differentness (new word I just made up)with a baby has been not only stressful but made me feel uncomfortable too. I am feeling very conscious of how I treat her, how she is feeling and what I do about it, as well as how she looks, as far as being clothes and covered properly. I have had several ladies come up to me and tell me she doesnt have enough clothes on, that it is cold.
People also feel the need to come up and touch Sujina or give her things. I didn't like that with the boys and I forsure dont like it now. I am a bit over sensitive if you can't tell, I am hoping it will be better once we get home.
Sujina seems to be doing very well. She is sleeping like a champ. She will go to sleep with her bottle and she wants a bottle around 6am on the dot even if she is not ready to wake up. She is a very happy baby and smiles all the time. She is becoming more and more affectionate with us.
The firt day/night she was with us after she would wake from her nap or sleep she would cry a little. To me it seemed like she was saying "Oh I am still here with you guys." Once she realized where she was she was okay. She is sleeping wiht us, and of course Paul and I love that, and I think she likes being with us and feeling our presence but she does not like to cuddle up. I am hoping that will change.
Last night we were all very tired, we had a long day and were up late, at least late for us. She just wanted to go to bed and have her bottle and be left alone. So we gave her her bottle and she went to sleep. The bottle was dripping and Paul and I didn't realize it until her shirt was soaked, we took the bottle away and tried to change her shirt adn you would have thought we were putting hot pokers on her feet or something. She screamed and grabbed at our faces and kicked. It was a different little girl!
We will have to work on that.
Walking around on Saturday just Paul, Sujina and myself helped me come to some understanding about this process and feelings I am having. I really dont like being the center of attention, especially in a foreign place when you just can't help but stick out. Adding to that differentness (new word I just made up)with a baby has been not only stressful but made me feel uncomfortable too. I am feeling very conscious of how I treat her, how she is feeling and what I do about it, as well as how she looks, as far as being clothes and covered properly. I have had several ladies come up to me and tell me she doesnt have enough clothes on, that it is cold.
People also feel the need to come up and touch Sujina or give her things. I didn't like that with the boys and I forsure dont like it now. I am a bit over sensitive if you can't tell, I am hoping it will be better once we get home.
Sujina seems to be doing very well. She is sleeping like a champ. She will go to sleep with her bottle and she wants a bottle around 6am on the dot even if she is not ready to wake up. She is a very happy baby and smiles all the time. She is becoming more and more affectionate with us.
The firt day/night she was with us after she would wake from her nap or sleep she would cry a little. To me it seemed like she was saying "Oh I am still here with you guys." Once she realized where she was she was okay. She is sleeping wiht us, and of course Paul and I love that, and I think she likes being with us and feeling our presence but she does not like to cuddle up. I am hoping that will change.
Last night we were all very tired, we had a long day and were up late, at least late for us. She just wanted to go to bed and have her bottle and be left alone. So we gave her her bottle and she went to sleep. The bottle was dripping and Paul and I didn't realize it until her shirt was soaked, we took the bottle away and tried to change her shirt adn you would have thought we were putting hot pokers on her feet or something. She screamed and grabbed at our faces and kicked. It was a different little girl!
We will have to work on that.
No taxi? A strike? What?????
Saturday is the day that Nepalis rest, no school, no govt offices etc.... So it was a free day for us. After breakfast most of the moms and babies got together and had a playgroup in the hallway on the third floor. It was great to have all the babies together again and for us to just get to sit and chat.
We played for a few hours, then we all went back to our rooms for snacks and nap. Paul and I decided that after Sujina woke up we wanted to go for a walk. Actually I wanted to go to Bodnath Stupa and have Sujina's picture made by my favorite stupa in Kathmandu.
It was a great day, pretty busy since everyone was out and about. We got a taxi and we were on our way. We didn't stay at Bodnath for very long, about 45 minutes. We walked around adn took photos. Paul bought a prayer wheel, but most of all we just took in the peacefulness of the area.
We then took a taxi over to Durbar Square, it is close to Thamel so I knew we could walk home from there, and that is what we did. It was a great walk, we saw some sights, people looked at us and commented to each other, some looks of approval and some not.
It is interesting to me how people look at us when we walk down the street. I find myself really wanting them to approve and be happy. I also find myself being very sensitive to whether Sujina is happy or not while we are out. I dont want her to cry or seem like she is not happy in anyway. I guess I am afraid that the Nepali people will come and take her away if they think I am not a good mother.
Our walk took us through some side streets that were off the beaten path, which I love, and let us see some of Kathmandu that we wouldnt normally see as tourist.
We played for a few hours, then we all went back to our rooms for snacks and nap. Paul and I decided that after Sujina woke up we wanted to go for a walk. Actually I wanted to go to Bodnath Stupa and have Sujina's picture made by my favorite stupa in Kathmandu.
It was a great day, pretty busy since everyone was out and about. We got a taxi and we were on our way. We didn't stay at Bodnath for very long, about 45 minutes. We walked around adn took photos. Paul bought a prayer wheel, but most of all we just took in the peacefulness of the area.
We then took a taxi over to Durbar Square, it is close to Thamel so I knew we could walk home from there, and that is what we did. It was a great walk, we saw some sights, people looked at us and commented to each other, some looks of approval and some not.
It is interesting to me how people look at us when we walk down the street. I find myself really wanting them to approve and be happy. I also find myself being very sensitive to whether Sujina is happy or not while we are out. I dont want her to cry or seem like she is not happy in anyway. I guess I am afraid that the Nepali people will come and take her away if they think I am not a good mother.
Our walk took us through some side streets that were off the beaten path, which I love, and let us see some of Kathmandu that we wouldnt normally see as tourist.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Free Day.
It's Friday the 19th and we are in a holding pattern. We are waiting for the Nepali Foreign Ministry to process our travel documents. On Sunday we will be going to get these documents and get our medical exam. Then we will be ready to go to the US Embassy on Monday. We have an appointment to submitt our paper work at 130pm. So today we have a day to go for a nice walk to Thamel and get a little shopping and lunch.
It is nice to have a day to just enjoy ourselves and bond with Sujina. She already recognizes us as her protectors which is a great feeling for all of us. She still has a "were am I" look when she gets up in the morning but she gets over that quickly. We saw many adoptive families walking around the town. I guess everyone is trying to beat the Ministries Break on the 21st. We have met families from the US, Austalia, and France. It was a clear day but we were not able to get high enough to see the Mountains.
I am still very excited and blessed to be part of this process. I have had many chances to exercise my trusting abilities! Besides feeling blessed with our family I am also very appreciative of the chance to get to come to and learn about Nepal. Most people here live without many of the material items we have in the States. The great thing is that they don't let that get them down and still live their lives with a real sense of peace. Which to me mean that all of the material items don't mean much if you have spiritual trust and family and friend that love each other.
Tomorrow is Saturday and that is the day off work for most people. Sunday is the first day of their 6 day work week. So we will have for the most part another free day. We will probably take a cab to the large Stupa and Tibeten Community.
Paul
It is nice to have a day to just enjoy ourselves and bond with Sujina. She already recognizes us as her protectors which is a great feeling for all of us. She still has a "were am I" look when she gets up in the morning but she gets over that quickly. We saw many adoptive families walking around the town. I guess everyone is trying to beat the Ministries Break on the 21st. We have met families from the US, Austalia, and France. It was a clear day but we were not able to get high enough to see the Mountains.
I am still very excited and blessed to be part of this process. I have had many chances to exercise my trusting abilities! Besides feeling blessed with our family I am also very appreciative of the chance to get to come to and learn about Nepal. Most people here live without many of the material items we have in the States. The great thing is that they don't let that get them down and still live their lives with a real sense of peace. Which to me mean that all of the material items don't mean much if you have spiritual trust and family and friend that love each other.
Tomorrow is Saturday and that is the day off work for most people. Sunday is the first day of their 6 day work week. So we will have for the most part another free day. We will probably take a cab to the large Stupa and Tibeten Community.
Paul
waking up again.....
We came home from Thamel, I was so ready to crash. After several days of waking up at 4 and not going to bed until 9-10pm I was wiped. We layed down and Sujina and I went right to sleep. I did not wake up until this morning at 4am again. I looked at Pauls watch and thought it was 6:30 for some reason.
Sujina and Paul woke up too. This was the best nights sleep we have had.
So here we are up at 5am, Sujina is playing around the floor looking very cute as she does, I am typing on the computer and Paul is just watching us. He fed her some baby food that Elizabeth shared with us and she seemed to like it. She also loves the Cheerios we had in our bag from home. She loves to pick them up with her fingers and put them in her mouth.
The first night we were having dinner, she would try to pick up the rice that fell in our lap, so we decided to give her some on the table. She loved playing with it, then we thought of giving her the Cheerios.
It is fun to be back in baby mode! We keep remembering things from the boys. We did bring our Dr. Sear's book along so that is helpful too.
Today is Saturday and most offices/businesses are closed on Sat. so we get another free day. Mr. Tamata, the Children's Home director, is supposed to bring us our papers for the Foreign Ministry office in order to get Sujina's travel papers. We have to look over them to make sure they are correct.
I love being here, and I am for sure loving having my baby girl with me, but I do miss my boys something terrible.
Sujina and Paul woke up too. This was the best nights sleep we have had.
So here we are up at 5am, Sujina is playing around the floor looking very cute as she does, I am typing on the computer and Paul is just watching us. He fed her some baby food that Elizabeth shared with us and she seemed to like it. She also loves the Cheerios we had in our bag from home. She loves to pick them up with her fingers and put them in her mouth.
The first night we were having dinner, she would try to pick up the rice that fell in our lap, so we decided to give her some on the table. She loved playing with it, then we thought of giving her the Cheerios.
It is fun to be back in baby mode! We keep remembering things from the boys. We did bring our Dr. Sear's book along so that is helpful too.
Today is Saturday and most offices/businesses are closed on Sat. so we get another free day. Mr. Tamata, the Children's Home director, is supposed to bring us our papers for the Foreign Ministry office in order to get Sujina's travel papers. We have to look over them to make sure they are correct.
I love being here, and I am for sure loving having my baby girl with me, but I do miss my boys something terrible.
Again 4 am and we are wide awake.....
Yesterday, Friday, was a "free" day. We didn't have any appointments or places to be, it was very nice. After the first few days of being a whirlwind of activity it was nice to wake up and leisurely get dressed for breakfast etc...
This hotel if full of babies and it is funny when we go down to breakfast how many babies are around. The Staff here could not be more lovely and respectful of this process. They come a take the babies while we eat, just walk around the resturant with them, talk to them, make faces to them. It is truly very sweet and mainly the men that do this.
Yesterday when Paul and I were going down to breakfast with Sujina of course, one of the ladies cleaning the rooms stopped me and said "Madam, it is too cold outside for this." She was talking about the little dress I had on Sujina. She had tights on as well and was very cute, but she was right, not approiate for outside.
It is interesting to me that people are assuming that this is my first and only child.
So after breakfast we decided to go for a walk in Thamel. I had to get out of the hotel and walk. I was feeling very closed in. I admit that I was a little apprehensive about walking through the street with her but I quickly got over it.
We shopped a good deal. Elizabeth and I get a long very well and seem to have the same tastes. She is adventuresome and of course I love that. Clay is good for Paul, it is nice that they have each other to talk about the cars, knives, and motorcycles they see. Paul is also a good role model dad for Clay.
We stopped at the Pilgrim book store, Clay and Elizabeth didn't get to walk around Thamel their first trip so we showed them the sights. We had momo, and some drinks. Sujina had a nap and I started having stomach pains. Luckily Paul brought some Immodium and I took it and felt better.
We had a lovely afternoon, walked and walked and walked. Shopped and shopped. The girls were getting tired and so were we. Finally we decided to go home and Diptee fell asleep on Elizabeth. With all the noise of the streets and she slept all the way home.
This hotel if full of babies and it is funny when we go down to breakfast how many babies are around. The Staff here could not be more lovely and respectful of this process. They come a take the babies while we eat, just walk around the resturant with them, talk to them, make faces to them. It is truly very sweet and mainly the men that do this.
Yesterday when Paul and I were going down to breakfast with Sujina of course, one of the ladies cleaning the rooms stopped me and said "Madam, it is too cold outside for this." She was talking about the little dress I had on Sujina. She had tights on as well and was very cute, but she was right, not approiate for outside.
It is interesting to me that people are assuming that this is my first and only child.
So after breakfast we decided to go for a walk in Thamel. I had to get out of the hotel and walk. I was feeling very closed in. I admit that I was a little apprehensive about walking through the street with her but I quickly got over it.
We shopped a good deal. Elizabeth and I get a long very well and seem to have the same tastes. She is adventuresome and of course I love that. Clay is good for Paul, it is nice that they have each other to talk about the cars, knives, and motorcycles they see. Paul is also a good role model dad for Clay.
We stopped at the Pilgrim book store, Clay and Elizabeth didn't get to walk around Thamel their first trip so we showed them the sights. We had momo, and some drinks. Sujina had a nap and I started having stomach pains. Luckily Paul brought some Immodium and I took it and felt better.
We had a lovely afternoon, walked and walked and walked. Shopped and shopped. The girls were getting tired and so were we. Finally we decided to go home and Diptee fell asleep on Elizabeth. With all the noise of the streets and she slept all the way home.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
expect the unexpected always......
Yesterday at the Ministry office I was very pleasantly suprised by the compassion and kindness in the voice of the man who told us "You are now the parents of Sujina, you are free."
He looked us in the eyes,shook our hands with great respect and genine happiness for us, and gave us our paperwork. What a great feeling of joy and excitment ran over me. But I know that is this only half of the process. Now we go and face the US Embassy. I am not naive enough to say we are free and clear. But in the eyes of Nepal we are Sujina parents forever and that was no small feat!
Going to the "clinic" was another sureal adventrue. It is hard enough crossing the streets here, where there are really no traffic laws, no lanes and no cross walks. It is a little dicy just getting yourself across, but when you add an infant, the degree of difficulty goes up substantually! I just try to stay in the middle of the crowd.
Added to this crazy adventure is the fact that everywhere we go we must be driven because, a) we dont know where we are going, and b) to get into the govt building you need a Nepali guide. So we have a driver from Children's Home. Wonderful man named Kisur. He loves the children and they him. When they are fussing at us he will take them, talk to them sweetly and hand them back.
Needless to say we have no car seats, so we are left holding the babies in the backseat, changing diapers going 30 miles an hour and giving them bottles as well. Just a little stressful. Again as if driving in this crazy town wasn't scary enough, adding an infant in the mix just pumps your stress level up a bit.
This is truly an amazing adventure, one I am so happy and proud to be a part of and I would do it all over again if giving the chance. I only hope I can bring as much back for Sujina as possible, for I know she will have questions and I want to provide as many answers as I can.
He looked us in the eyes,shook our hands with great respect and genine happiness for us, and gave us our paperwork. What a great feeling of joy and excitment ran over me. But I know that is this only half of the process. Now we go and face the US Embassy. I am not naive enough to say we are free and clear. But in the eyes of Nepal we are Sujina parents forever and that was no small feat!
Going to the "clinic" was another sureal adventrue. It is hard enough crossing the streets here, where there are really no traffic laws, no lanes and no cross walks. It is a little dicy just getting yourself across, but when you add an infant, the degree of difficulty goes up substantually! I just try to stay in the middle of the crowd.
Added to this crazy adventure is the fact that everywhere we go we must be driven because, a) we dont know where we are going, and b) to get into the govt building you need a Nepali guide. So we have a driver from Children's Home. Wonderful man named Kisur. He loves the children and they him. When they are fussing at us he will take them, talk to them sweetly and hand them back.
Needless to say we have no car seats, so we are left holding the babies in the backseat, changing diapers going 30 miles an hour and giving them bottles as well. Just a little stressful. Again as if driving in this crazy town wasn't scary enough, adding an infant in the mix just pumps your stress level up a bit.
This is truly an amazing adventure, one I am so happy and proud to be a part of and I would do it all over again if giving the chance. I only hope I can bring as much back for Sujina as possible, for I know she will have questions and I want to provide as many answers as I can.
It's Official!!! (In Nepal)
As the Ministry Secretary said after we signed his log "You are the legal parents in Nepal, you are free." So at about 1pm on January 18th Sujina legally became our daughter in Nepal. Now we are working on the rest of our documents for the US Embassy and the Nepali Foreign Ministry both of these entities will be providing travel papers for Ms. Sujina.
After we received our Ministry forms we were off to the Medical Clinic for a TB test and blood tests. So after parking, crossing a very busy street(very tricky and scary), walking down a long alley we came to the clinic of one of the two US Embassy approved Doctors. Sujina did great and only cried a little after being poked with a needle and having her finger pricked. That was our busy day we then went back to the Hotel for naps. Sujina and I napped and Steph and our friend shopped for water and a place to get passport photos for Sujina.
It has been great to be back in Nepal it is a special place. I feel at ease here which is strange because of all of the hustle and bustle. I was excited yesterday but the real triumph will be getting her travel papers from the US Embassy.
After we received our Ministry forms we were off to the Medical Clinic for a TB test and blood tests. So after parking, crossing a very busy street(very tricky and scary), walking down a long alley we came to the clinic of one of the two US Embassy approved Doctors. Sujina did great and only cried a little after being poked with a needle and having her finger pricked. That was our busy day we then went back to the Hotel for naps. Sujina and I napped and Steph and our friend shopped for water and a place to get passport photos for Sujina.
It has been great to be back in Nepal it is a special place. I feel at ease here which is strange because of all of the hustle and bustle. I was excited yesterday but the real triumph will be getting her travel papers from the US Embassy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)