[lyssie]

SO... we were KO of PGN on Sept. 4th and just re-enterred last week I had hoped for a mid-November pick up. BUT, relality is sinking in and obviously that will not be happening. (it was bad to hear from PGN themselves since I was told by facilitator that we had a KO but, were put right back in with in the same week.)

Anyway, With a full house here and our sweet little one there...what are the chances of an appointment in December near Christmas? We would be there in a heart beat still...somehow...just wondering if anyone has had an appointmant close to Christmas--HOW CLOSE WAS IT???

[AdoptAmiga]

In 2003, ours was the first business day after Christmas. Christmas was on a Saturday and our appointment was Monday the 27th. They were still issuing the pick-up of the visa the same day, which is no longer the case. This was also before the USE gave out appointments.
The Embassy has regular hours during the holidays. The 24th will be a half-day, closed the 25th and similar for New Year's - half or full day the 31st and closed Jan. 1 Business as usual January 2. Since Christmas this year is on a Tuesday, I'd say the closest would be Thursday 12/20 with visa pickup 12/21. Maybe even 12/19 w/visa pickup 12/20, depending on the current Friday practices. It was wonderful being in Guatemala during Christmas week. We arrived Dec. 23 and our little girl came to us Christmas Eve morning. Wishing you a holiday trip to Guatemala!

[Hopingsoon]

Mine was last year on December 20. Guatemala was beautiful at Christmas time!

[becky]

I would imagine the last appointments will be on the 19th with Visa pick up on the 21st. They will probably also do appointments on the 26th with pick up on the 28th. That's just a guess...but may be pretty accurate.

[AdoptAmiga]

Originally Posted by becky

I would imagine the last appointments will be on the 19th with Visa pick up on the 21st. They will probably also do appointments on the 26th with pick up on the 28th. That's just a guess...but may be pretty accurate.

Wow... two days now for visa pick-up??? I didn't realize...

[becky]

Nope...sorry...losing my mind 19th with pick up on the 20th and 26th with pick up on the 27th. Maybe appointments on the 27th with pick up on 28th as well...maybe on that one.

[judymend]

In December 2006 our Embassy Appointment was for the 21st.

[WVUMom418]

We were issued PINK on Friday, December 16, 2005 and our appointment was Dec 27. We flew down on the day after Christmas.

[acjmn4ever]

We picked up our first son in 2005 and our Embassy appointment was Dec 21.

[maxattack]

Last year I was told to be ready for pick-up right BEFORE Christmas, I believe the 21st....so booked a flight due to all of the craziness near the holidays. It turned out that out Embassy appointment was pushed back to the 27th. Spent 10 days in Guatemala, including Christmas. It was for the best because after the 10 days together our flight home was a breeze! If we did the quick trip as originally hoped for, I think my little one would have had a hard time. While in the hotel she stood at the door crying and waiting for her foster family to return the first 3 or 4 days we were there. All is wonderful now. Happy, healthy and 28 months old. If you have to spend the holidays in Guatemala, do it!

[mi_amiga]

I have been looking at this too since I was a 9/18 resubmit. "IF" I get out by 11/18, then I'll need to get my appt by 12/18. It's doable, but it will be tight. They may have the last appt. on 12/20, with pick-up on 12/21. Also, there will be a back-log because of Thanksgiving, so it's really really tight! I'm hoping and praying with all my might, but I have to be realistic that it might not happen. Good luck and prayers to everyone, we will all need it.

-Jaimee

[Saya]

Last year (2006) we had our embassy appointment on December 21st (it was a Thursday). I believe that was the last day they were having appointments before X-Mas. We were just in under the wire!

[ddhuab]

Last year our appointment was on a Friday, Dec. 15th, I think if I am counting back right. We had to stay through the weekend, because we had to pick up our visa on Monday. I made our return flight reservation for the next day, and was glad I did just becasue of how are day went on Monday.

I remember at the time we got notice (about a week or 10 days before our appt.) it was impossible to get a direct flight from Atlanta to Guatemala (all were booked). We ended up flying from Atlanta to Costa Rica, staying overnight, then flying Taca from CR to Guat. City. (Our return flight was Delta, direct from GC to Atlanta).

How exciting, I hope you have your pink soon!

-D.

[mamir]

Hi:

We had our embassy appointment about as close to Christmas as you can possibly get last year. It was on12/21. We got the Visa on 12/22 and headed back home on 12/23 and arrived home at 1 a.m. on 12/24. It was a whirlwind. Our daughter was 12 when she came home and I was worried about how she would handle all the chaos of Christmas with visiting family and all the travelling we did from Guatemala and during the Christmas holidays. She only got to sleep in her own bedroom, in her own house for 1 night. Then we were travelling to be with family for the next 3 nights. She did great. Just be prepared that it was VERY expensive to have a Christmas week pick-up trip. Our airfares alone were over $3,000.00 for two round trip tickets and our daughter's one way ticket. The airport was a mess when we left for Guatemala as it was right before Christmas and everyone was travelling. We had delays on the way home and almost missed our connecting flight.

It was really nice at the Marriott at Christmas time. There were lots of families there visiting their babies and a lot were staying through the holidays. We took pictures by the large Christmas tree in the lobby. The embassy should be open again this year until at least a few days before Christmas. I don't think they take as many appointments during that time because it was not crowded when we went and we were through with everything in about an hour. I bought at beautiful Guatemalan nativity set at the Marriott that I leave in my curio cabinet all year long.

Whenever you travel, I'm sure you will have a wonderful pick up trip.

[Quesita]

What great "Christmas in Guatemala" stories. Thank you everyone who shared your personal experiences.

I am HOPING that Liana is home before Christmas. Or at least before New Years. But since it seems to be taking close to two months from out to pink, and since I am still in PGN, I suspect that I may well be spending Christmas 2007 in the sunshine.