[lmvsmom]

Today I met a lady who had adopted a daughter from another country (not Guat.). She was asking me questions about the process and did we go to visit the country. I told her I've been three times and really enjoyed it. I hope to go again and again. I asked if she planned to visit her child's birth country again and she said, "No, it was awful. Very dirty, disgusting. I never want to go back." I was so surprised, I said something like, "Well, I'm sure there are beautiful parts to it (the country). Maybe you just didn't get to see the good parts?" She went on again about how she wasn't going back.

Now don't get me wrong. Poverty in any country is not beautiful, but I was very uncomfortable with her attitude. I am very sad for her DD who won't be visiting her birth country with her parents from the sound of it. How can someone feel such disgust about a country that gives you so much?

[jeck]

We visited several times and fell in love with Guate too. On those trips we had several runs in with people that was only there to pick up their children and never look back...

Each to their own I guess but I am glad that we fell in love with the country and we will go back someday! I think DS will appreciate that someday too...

[GabeMom]

It is a sad sentiment among many families. We met lots of people who said they hated Guatemala while we were visiting and picking up. I agree with you completely... I just don't get it. That was actually an important part of our homestudy.

[Mindybeth6]

While Guatemala was surely not Ohio...I loved each and every part of it. I could not imagine feeling that way towards my child's birthcountry. Of course Guatemala wasn't the cleanest county...but geez...my daughter was born there! We have full intentions on taking Mikayla back when she is older and can understand it all and remember the trip. While we don't really bring her native culture into our home, we love Guatemala and are proud of her origins. I wonder what country they adopted from that was so "awful?"

[afl]

We also met a couple of families on our visit and pick-up trips that were there to get their child and really didn't care about anything else. And yes, some complained about the conditions,etc. I remember one couple that I was asking specifics about where they were in process,etc. and they had no idea what I was talking about. And then, one of the APs said something along the lines of "We paid an agency to get us a child and that's all we care about".

I too find it sad that people have no fond feelings or memories of the country that enabled their family to come together. We too plan on bringing DD back someday when she is old enough to appreciate it.

And I'm going back on a mission trip this coming March.

[Hopingsoon]

Wow, is that sad!

While my son is younger, I'd like to take part in mission trips to Guate to give something back to his birth country. When he's older, I can't wait to take him back and share his birth country with him.

[starryeyes]

Along those same lines, every time I overhear a snarky comment about people automatically assuming Guatemalan physicians are inferior, all lacking intelligence, being poorly trained or incompetent, it makes me want to scream. (Luckily for everyone, I resist this urge. ) Of course, some people have had negative and/or sad experiences, but I am not referring to them - just the automatic assumption.

Most of these doctors are wonderful and kept our children healthy while in the country, with limited resources. I know there are exceptions, but that is everywhere, and just because a physician was trained in Guatemala doesn't make him less intelligent than the average Monday-morning-quarterback that we sometimes see.

Thanks for listening.

[mommyto2guatboys]

I too find this very sad. I can't believe that a mother could have such a negative feeling about the place their child was born., this attitude will be given to her daughter abour her own birth country. I know a family that picked up their two girls from Guatemala and the whole time they were paranoid that someone was going to take away their babies and they trusted nobody. After they came home the foster family tried to call them and they reported them to their agency, they were so worried about how they got their phone number and thought they would come take their kids, Paranoid! but sad at the same time, think about the benifit that relationship would have for their children.
I am the opposite, we have already been back with our boys to visit their foster families, I have been back for some mission work and to meet my youngest son's birthmother. We plan to go back many more times, we love Guatemala so much.

Magen
My family!

[kerriv]

I agree. Having visited both Guatemala and Ethiopia during my two adoptions, I find the poverty heartbreaking but the the people I've met in both places are so beautiful and loving. I can't imagine not treasuring the country that gave me one of it's greatest treasures.

[jules17]

Originally Posted by starryeyes

Along those same lines, every time I overhear a snarky comment about people automatically assuming Guatemalan physicians are inferior, all lacking intelligence, being poorly trained or incompetent, it makes me want to scream.

We saw a physician about my son's nutrition while I was down there. He was amazing!! Absolutely incredible. He really, really took the time with us...and even drew pictures for the foster mother (we weren't sure if she was literate?) and gave me his home phone # and email.

So much better than the majority of the Drs. I have seen here in the US.

[SisterBear]

That is sad. I hope her child doesn't pick up on that attitude about their birth country.

When we were in Guatemala, we met families who were interested in everything about Guatemala and some who really didn't care one bit about the country.

I remember standing in the Marriott buffet line and getting Chilaquilas (those insanely good tortillas and chicken in red sauce). The lady in front of me asked what they were and I explained and said they are AMAZING. She stuck her nose up in the air and said, "I will NOT eat something that looks like that." Her loss for sure! I am guessing that she wouldn't have been too thrilled about the public bathrooms around Guatemala City either!

[BobMiami]

Like so many of the other posters, I will always love Guatemala, and we will go back many, many times (if I can get my son's passport problems solved).

I will always be grateful to this country. They entrusted me with one of their sons.
Bob

[mommytoEli]

i love Guatemala, too....it IS dirty and dangerous, but so many parts are beautiful. i will absolutely be taking eli in the future, but we are waiting until he is old enugh to appreciate it and tell the consulate he is an american citizen. but it is a plan for sure. it is a dangerous place though, and i think i'd have to respect people who chose not to go back, but i would still want to not hear negative things about it. eli talks so much about his country and his mom. i am certain he does not remember either, but i think it is important for him to grow up thinking i think his country and his mom are important.

[devildogwife]

Originally Posted by lmvsmom

How can someone feel such disgust about a country that gives you so much?

My parents recently returned for an 11-week stay in Ukraine adopting 2 teenagers. They never want to go back and after hearing their stories, I don't blame them one bit. The corruption, dishonesty, the way they (the country) have treated their children has definitely colored their view of the country. Sure, if they had a short pick up trip in a nice hotel, that might be different. Not everyone has such positive experiences with their child's birth country for good reason.

[Clare'sMom]

WE LOVE GUATEMALA!!!! I will continute to go back as long as I live!!! Why, The People we have met, the friends we have made, and the family we have there.... They are my family(ies) too....

Almost all of the people we have dealt with in Guat while working on our childrens cases were great, there is always a bad apple in each bunch, there as well as here at home! We have The Most Wonderful Attorney (one of the best IMO), I would have her for my attorney for any legal things I ever needed anywhere. One of my daughters would surely have died as a newborn if it wasn't for the care she received from a VERY well trained medical staff... she thrived and made a remarkable recovery, and is now a happy healthy four year old signing Hanna Montana songs in her room. Also to the physical threapy staff that is working right now to help our youngest dauger (still in Guat) walk... she is 4yrs. old and has CP, we never thought she would do it and she is proving us all wrong.... I couldn't ask for better doctors and nurses.

I have relatives and friends who's children were born in countrys that they will never return to. I do feel sad for them, but I understand how they can hold alot of anger to the people who hurt their children so deaply. Thankfully we have only love for a country that we have all adopted as our second home....
Ann