[isabella123]

Of the hotel...

Our embassy date is Tuesday but we'll be there a few days early. I really want to go somewhere other than the hotel restaurant but I've been told that it's not a good idea to take Kya out of the hotel. Is it bc we won't have proof that she is our child? I don't understand. We don't even have to get out of the taxi. I don't mind looking out of a window!

What have you done? Is it really that risky? What about the Zoo? Antigua? I just want to go SOMEWHERE!!!

Thanks...

[GuatMommy2Be]

We went to Antigua and I highly recommend it! Of course that was back in January, and since then, things have changed in Guatemala. Hopefully someone else that has gone recently can chime in. Really, Antigua is wonderful!

[DFNY]

I'm confused--my understanding is that your daughter is officially yours as soon as you are OUT of PGN (or as soon as the birthmom signs off) so why wouldn't you be able to leave the hotel? Your attorney can provide copies of all the documentation. I would ask.

I was there in June and was allowed to take my DD (who was still stuck in PGN) out of the hotel. We went to Antigua for 3 nights and enjoyed it tremendously. It wasn't our first time there, just the 1st time there with her. I hope you get to see a bit of Guatemala while you're there and Antigua is just beautiful. We stayed at Quinta de las Flores (www.quintadelasflores.com), though it's about a 10 minute walk from the center of Antigua. We loved the grounds and enjoyed the pool, the people, the food. And we stayed at one of their "casitas" b/c there were 3 adults and 2 toddlers: we had 2 BRs, LR, dining room, 1.5 bathrooms, fireplace (we called the front desk and they sent someone to light it for us) for $140/night--less than the Marriott but it didn't include breakfast. Still a good deal. It was wonderful. I'm taking some items to drink and cook next time as we're planning to return there on our pick-up trip.

Congratulations on your embassy appt. Hope you get to get out of the hotel, even if just to the zoo nearby.

Damaris

[angel_bayou]

I second the QUinta de la Flores!! I'll stay my last night in Guatemala there in Dec. It's GORGEOUS!!! We did the zoo with NO trouble and the children's museum is right down the street but it was closed this last time! (on Mondays)

[susy...patience]

I completely understand not taking a child out of hotel on visit trip (I traveled some on one visit trip but doing traveling first before getting DD). But, on pickup trip you do have documents proving that child is yours....it's the Birth certificate and passport!!

If there are any concerns, you could make a copy of those & have them in diaper bag with you.

The zoo was great.....I went there with DD on pickup trip & she loved it but fell asleep before we made it through.

I also think you should see Antigua if you haven't been there.......it's listed in the book "1000 places to see before you die."

I'd recommend La Fonda restaurant by the arch in Antigua and shopping at Nim Pot...or even a visit to the Antigua Cooking School (it takes several hours so you would need someone to watch your child).

[Quesita]

I am soooo excited that you are finally going to pick up your daughter!!!!

I agree with other posters. The zoo is an easy trip, and you can take a taxi from the hotel, and arrange a time for the same driver to pick you up. You should not try to hail a taxi on the street, but the hotel drivers are more than happy to accomodate you.

Antigua is also a possible day trip, or someplace to go for a few nights. It is a lovely town. I spent two months there with Liana, and always felt safe. If you are doing a day trip, arrange it through the hotel, and you will be fine.

I stayed at the Marriott, and Liana's first dining experience with me outside of the Marriott restaurants was a crepe place around the corner by the little shops. It was very child-friendly, and she had a yummy banana crepe.

Have a wonderful pick up trip!

[dac_cincy]

I am with everyone else- you have the documents that she is your child, so go.

Check withthe hotel front desks to arrange any taxis- they know the good ones

On my trips and homecoming- we walked to the shops behind the Marriott, we went to Antigua for the day, we saw the museums near the zoo ont he first trip. I would recommend all of these activities.

We never went to the mall near the hotels, we did not go to the central market- near the zoo. I think anytime you can get out and see more is a good thing.

Some reminders:
1. Don't wear expensive looking jewelry or watches- a simple pair of earrings and one ring is the most I wore.
2. dress modestly- no short skirts or shorts. I wore skirts on my frist trip and then capris on my second and pick up trips. I only wore jeans in the hotel. FOr shoes I wore flats or sandals.
3. Stay in areas with lots of people. One Sunday on my second trip, I ventured out before the shops opened and I was followed, luckily I was able to get back to the Marriott grounds. It was my own fault for walkign through empty streets (Bug had gone back to his foster family the day before, so it was just me) and I took a turn onto a street that I should not have.
4. Talk to the concierge at the htoel before going out- they will get you a taxi to take you to where you want to go and they will help you set up a time for the taxi to bring you back. That way you know you are getting in to a safe taxi.
5. When in doubt, trust your instinct- if a situation feels uncomfortable to you, leave.
6. But most of all- Have a GREAT time, seeing the city, the people and experiencign just a slice of Guatemala outside the hotel is a wonderful memory to share with your child as the years go by.

Love and hugs to you,
Deb

[KMatthews]

Julia contact Victor and see what he would charge you to take you to Antigua for a full or half day.
you will love the markets!!

[elielio]

Julia,

I feel comfortable leaving the hotel when I am there. (and remember, I am not even out of PGN yet) I took Eli to the market and the mall. This last visit I stayed at the Marriott, since I am pregnant and thought it would be easier with an elevator. They have a nice brunch there. I have also been to Antigua 3 times and it is very safe and it is great for walking around. It is not a great place for a stroller. The roads are cobblestone-like. A baby bjorn or and ergo would be great. Congratulations. Have a great trip.

[robandjulie]

On our visit trips we never took DS out of the hotel. We stayed at the Grand Tikal and if we had to run to the attached mall one of us went adn the other stayed with DS. So when we went on our pickup we were bursting to get out and see something besides the inside of the hotel!!

We waited until the night before the embassy when our lawyer's assistant brought us the copy of the dossier (with BC) and his passport. That night we went out across the street to the mall and had a quick dinner and walked around a bit. The day after the embassy we went out to the zoo, the market near the zoo, and the mall. The day we flew home we went to the market again. The zoo was very nice--very quiet the day we were there and while it's not overwhelmingly huge, it's easy enough to burn 2-3 hours there and only be out $3 per adult. The market was also very nice--most of the stuff we saw at the Antigua market we also saw at the GC market but there were fewer booths so not as much opportunity to price compare and prices were a bit higher. We went first thing in the morning one day and they were far harder to haggle with that morning than they had been late in the day the day before.

After the embassy (1st day) you actually have LESS documentation since they keep the passport until 3 PM the day after. I'd say once you get the packet with BC and passport, ask the front desk if you can make a photo copy and stick those in your diaperbag. At that point you have has much proof as any one else visiting with their adopted child that the child is yours.

DH still felt like we were watched more carefully or closely than a non-white family would have been, but to me that's just what happens when you're a minority in any situation--you feel it.

On one of our visits we went to Antigua one day without DS (we gave him back to FF on Sunday and toured a bit Monday). It was beautiful but honestly we were SO glad to do it without DS. He's 20 months and would have been going BONKERS with us wandering around the jade factory, the various museums and such, the market, the amazingly delicious restaurant, etc. If he'd been with us it would have been beautiful and nice, but a completely different experience! If you stay there you can come and go as naptimes and moods permit, but I'm not sure a fully-loaded day-trip would work with a toddler.

As others said, the streets and sidewalks in Antigua are cobblestone/brick and both are quite narrow, so a stroller is useless there. A sling or other carrier will be more or less necessary.

[merkley3]

We've been all around with our daughters and had a great time. You will have her passport, her birth certificate... she is yours!!! Have fun!!!

[Candace3]

We went to Antigua and i would recommend it. Our attorney gave us some paperwork that would prove our dd was legally ours should any questions arise, which they didn't. my sister in law traveled to bring their daughter home just three months ago and they also visited Antigua and a few shops around their hotel. Ask your attorney or escort in Guatemala about where it is safe to travel.

[AngelsMama]

The zoo and the market across the street are both "safe." In fact when I was there in Feb for pick up and ran into all the problems at the embassy, I went somewhere nearly every day. I walked from Casa Grande to the Westin and the Marriott with friends, went to the zoo, went to Antigua, went to the market next to the zoo. I highly recommend La Estancia down the street from Casa Grande....delish! And to get there you just walk down the Embassy side walk...aka American Soil...no problems there. But I did always carry a copy of her birth certificate with my name on it and a copy of my passport and hers. Have fun and enjoy. And Casa Grande (I think that's where you're staying) will order you anything you want and get you a taxi to where ever you wnat to go. PM me if you want the name of a fantastic tour guide. Ooo, forgot to add that if you're there on a Sunday, they close down part of Avenue Refoma so that people can walk, jog, ride bikes, skate, etc. It is very family friendly and I was never not once bothered.