[Stephen_M]

Well, we leave to pick up little Calista next week. Trauma and anxiety are creeping up on me along with a sense of relief. I'd like to thank each of you who have been nice enough to post encouragement, experiences, compliments, everything!

Those of you who have made the trip:

1. How are the U.S. Embassy personnel? I saw "An Adoption Story" episode on the Discovery Health Channel which showed a couple who went to Guatemala and the Embassy was jam-packed with people. Is it a hot, crowded room - or was that just a bad impression from a TV camera? And how long does the Embassy trip take?

2. Once we get out of the Embassy and have Calista as ours, truly ours, is it worth the trouble of going to the airport and getting the taxes paid the night before the return flight? I remember that the airport was a very long experience when we visited - 1 1/2 hours from arrival until we go to the gate. I am trying to get that time down and if you have any tips, we would appreciate them!

3. A gift basket for the foster parents is already complete. Is it appropriate to invite and treat for dinner on our last night as part of our thank-you:
a. the foster parents?
b. the attorney?
c. our agency representative?

Thanks in advance. And, I will post a report and more pictures upon our return!!!

[crathke]

Stephen--

I found the staff at the Embassy to be wonderful people! They were working hard, true--but there is a separate waiting area for adoptive families with seating; bring toys, diapers, etc for Calista because you could be there a couple of hours. However, most everyone is there for the same business, so you can also have fun chatting with other families! (and people-watch the folks in the other area, who are usually Guatemalans looking for visas to emigrate to the US).

Anyway, as I was saying--the staff at the Embassy were polite and friendly. The gentleman who helped us also helped keep Aaron amused for the couple of minutes it took for us to glance over our paperwork and sign. He was very good at working with nervous parents, too! (and he's been in my thoughts ever since--the week we were there (Jan 13) was his last week in Guat--he was being sent to Israel next; I worry about him and he's a complete stranger whose name I don't even remember! Funny how things stick in our minds...)

I didn't notice that there was any sort of "express lane" at the airport for people who had already paid their taxes. You'll also have to check your luggage and they did inspect every piece we had--so I, personally, wouldn't bother with going to the airport twice. Why stand in line an extra time?

I don't know about the "etiquette" about inviting the foster family, etc, to dinner (I'm sure someone else will know more), but I think it's a lovely idea!

Have a wonderful trip! Do let us know closed to your actual travel time so that we can send thoughts and prayers along with you!

[Cindy T]

Hi there,

Congrats on your good news. I can understand all the emotions you must be feeling. I'm sure when we get to this point, I'll be a nervous wreck!

Can't help you on what to take and your other questions, but just wanted to wish you a safe and speedy trip back home with Calista!!!

[cristianmatt]

Just to let you know I will be praying for you on your journey to bring home your little one. I look forward to hearing from you when you return as we should go in the next couple of weeks to bring home our 7 month old son.

Jackie

[BrycenRileigh]

I agree with Courtney. We were there in March, and the embassy was a piece of cake. It took about 30 minutes for us in the morning, and another 30 when we returned to pick up the visa in the afternoon. A few things we found out would have helped us while we were there is making sure you have a bottle made up when you get there. They will hold formula powder at the security gate until you are done. Also, if you have to go pick up your visa (some agencies will go do this for you, other's don't), make sure you have your cab driver wait on you or come back. Some of the facilitators at the embassy told us not to take the cabs waiting outside the embassy, so we had to walk about 10 minutes (with a sleeping baby and a 4 year old) to a hotel to get another cab. I'm not sure why (unless they are more prone to take advantage of visitors), but just what we were told.

I would not go pay the exit tax early. The exit tax stand for us was IN the line to get to the Delta counter. We would have had to pass it whether we had already paid or not.

We didn't see our facilitator and foster mom for more than 30 minutes (and that was when they brought us Rileigh). The facilitator had someone else come and take us to the Embassy the next day. Once you get there and everything is going on, you can always make the decision there about invitations by how it feels.

One thing we loved -
We asked several people where to go to get authentic Guatemalan cuisine while we were there. Everyone recommended we go to Kacao (by the Holiday Inn-a quick cab ride). It was fantastic!!! We asked the cab driver to come back for us about an hour later so we wouldn't have to find another cab. Just a fun note from our trip.

I wish you a fantastic trip filled with wonderful memories!!!

Elizabeth

[KC in AZ]

Stephen,

We haven't gone for our pickup tripyet, but on the visit at the beginning of May we flew American and stayed at the Marriott. The Marriott has an American ticket counter in it. We were able to check-in and pay the tax to fleave the day before. It was much simplier and quicker at the Airport. The line for pre-checked in was only three people ahead of us, the line for doing all at once was really, really, really long. I would definitley do the precheckin thing if you are flying American. They did open our suitcases, but that took all of about 5 minutes. I think our total wait time was about 10 minutes, definitely not more than 15.

You might want to check if the airline you are using has a ticket counter at any of the hotels.....I think Continental does, but don't remember which one....or if it works the same as American did.

Hope this helps.

KC in AZ
Waiting on Christopher
Born 12/10/02 - in PGN since 4/25 and holding

[Stephen_M]

Originally posted by KC in AZ
Stephen,

We were able to check-in and pay the tax to fleave the day before.
You might want to check if the airline you are using has a ticket counter at any of the hotels.....I think Continental does, but don't remember which oneKC in AZ
Waiting on Christopher
Born 12/10/02 - in PGN since 4/25 and holding

Hey, thanks! We are near the hotel that has the Continental ticket counter! If you say it saved this much time, we may have to do this. Thanks!

[jen g]

Hi Stephen,
I wanted to chime in on a couple of things. We brought our sweet Mia home May 9. The Embassy was fine -- we went very early in the a.m. We were first in line (this was all our translator's idea -- she is also our lawyer's wife.) I was so glad to get there early -- we were there at about 6:30 a.m. and when it all opened we were in and out. By the time we left at 8 or 8:15, the waiting room was very crowded and the line long outside. She told us you never know if there will be just a couple families or many, so she is always sure to be first in line. After getting out, we invited Mia's foster mother and her son to breakfast at the hotel. They had gotten up very early to get a bus into the city to meet us. Mia, then, was with us at the Embassy and then for at least another hour at the hotel as we ate and then gave presents and had goodbyes in the lobby. We don't know much Spanish, but we talked with gestures and had the hotel staff translate a bit as well. I think it helps the transition for the child (I don't know how old your daughter is, but Mia was 14 months) if there is overlap time. So, when the foster mother left, Mia didn't feel it as abruptly. It was wrenching to see the foster mother's grief and to know that Mia didn't get what was happening or of course she would have cried, too. Also, I was trying to note as many details as I could about how the foster mother held her, what she did to amuse her, etc., etc. I also think it honors the foster family for you not just to pick her up and shuffle them away. That is, if you feel they have given her great care, etc., and want to take a breath and show them your thanks, I think it's nice to ease their transition, too. We gave them presents and a gift of cash (American money in 20 dollar bills). I think we'd all be surprised and shocked if we learned how little foster mothers make. Ours was superb and I will truly be grateful to her for the rest of my life. Mia is so emotionally secure and was well taken care of. It was a pleasure to give the foster mother a few perks. Have fun...the adventure begins. I wish for you a wonderfully smooth transition.
Happy travels.
Best from,
Jen G
PS: I sent our agency contact a nice Christmas gift but didn't give anything to the lawyer or the agency at the pickup. I did send our agency contact our birth announcement and a picture and have emailed her a few times, but gave the foster mother money and some personal gifts.

[steph94]

Stephen:

What hotel has the Continental ticket counter? Please let me know how that all works as we will be using Continental and would love to get it done the night before. Any info would be great. We should be going in a couple weeks(hopefully). Any info on making the departure easier would be greatly appreciated. Talk with you soon.

[KC in AZ]

I would check with Continental to ensure that they have a pre-checked line for checking in baggage only.......otherwise I agree I wouldn't want to be standing in that line twice.......we know another couple who flew Continental and didn't see any baggage check in only line.

It never hurts to ask.....I would check with the Airline and see what they say about their set up at the Guatemala airport.

KC in AZ

I came home a week ago with my 8 1/2 month old son.

To answer a few of the questions:

Embassy - Wonderfully helpful and I had big problems. Do get there early on the day of your appt. We got there at 6:30 am and when the embassy opened we were first in line.


Marriot has the Continental counter for early check-in. I flew American and while I was waiting in line before our flight I did see a line for prechecked passengers to check their luggage. I wish I'd looked into checking-in the night before. We left our hotel at 5 am and had only 15 minutes to wait before boarding the plane. It took that long to get through the American Airlines line, immigration and security (and to change a very messy diaper). FYI - Try to avoid changing a diaper until you get to the airline terminal. The ladies restroom in the area with all of the shops doesn't have a changing table.

Taxis - get the hotel to talk to the cab driver about your destination, whether the cab will wait there, and the price. I made a huge mistake catching a cab by myself when I left the embassy. Stupid me - I didn't talk to him about the fare before getting in and he charged me $15 to go from the embassy to my hotel and right back to the embassy. I was in the cab for about 10 minutes total.

Shopping - We really liked the Artisan's Market. We had a cab take us from the Clarion Hotel to the market and wait for us for an hour. He charged us $10.

Kathleen

[Stephen_M]

Everyone - Thanks for all of the tips!!!

We'll talk to y'all soon after we settle in after the return!!