The Details

A lot of people have been wondering how we know what to do and when to do it. The details of the process (when to go and where to go) , transportation to and from appointments, orphanage visits, and the grocery store is all done by our Nepal representative. He also goes to each appointment at various Nepal ministries, doctor appointments, and US embassy to explain what we need done. In most cases, I only fill out the forms and sign them (also two interviews: the Ministry of Women Children and Social Welfare, and U.S. Embassy). The rest is done by the Nepal representative. He also arranges for translation of documents from Nepali to English (for the U.S. Embassy), checks to make sure everything is correctly signed, dated etc. In addition, because the process in Nepal is completely new our U.S. based Nepal program director flew from Oregon to Nepal and has been with us and our Nepal rep from the first day to be available in case any issues came up (and she has been very busy).

The only thing that we arrange on our own is meals (because we don’t like to eat at the overpriced hotel restaurant), and sight seeing. For those we take our lonely planet guide, and head out. Walking for close trips, taxi for longer trips. You could take a local bus which is much cheaper, but with a new child, I wouldn’t do it; or you could go on organized tours. In addition you really have to listen to what your child can tolerate. Shanti has been great. She loves to watch what’s going on and likes to wave bye bye to people as we pass. However not everyone’s child will react this way. Some families are pretty much stuck to the hotel because going out is too stressful for their children (who already are under a lot of stress given the change from orphanage life to western hotel life)

Here has been our schedule so far:

Day 1-6 Visit with our daughter (she was still living at orphanage)
Day 7 Meeting with the Ministry of Women Children and Social Welfare– Final Adoption Decree Signed – we’re her parents!
Day 8 Go to Ministry of Foreign affairs 2 times, to apply for our daughter’s Nepal Travel Document (like a passport). Embassy Doctor appointment afterwards.
Day 9 Free time (no appointments) (Saturday visit Swayambhunath)
Day 10 Back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive Nepal Travel Document. Back to Doctor’s for receiving labs done and having embassy health paperwork filled out (Visit Bahktapur)
Day 11 Paperwork being translated into English for the US Embassy. Go to CIWEC clinic for exam and labs. Go to Holt’s orphanage for Children’s day
Day 12. Go to U.S. Embassy to submit Visa application paperwork. (Run errands in Thamel)
Day 13 Embassy calls at 11:45 – Our appointment is…….the next day at 11am (afterward go back to Swayambunath to see if we can find out exactly where Shanti was found)
Day 14 Embassy appointment (afternoon go to Thamel, Kathesimbhu Stupa, and Durbar Square in the afternoon
Day 15 wait for embassy phone call until 11:30– no info, they will call again Monday. (Visit Bodanath – and re-arrange air tickets)
Day16 wait , Sign another paper for the ministry – free time (Saturday)(Visit Bahktapur orphanage.
Day 17 wait - Sunday US embassy isn't open - visit Patan (Lalitpur)
Day 18 wait for phone call - 11:30 U.S. embassy calls to say they're not done... they'll call Tuesday morning.
Day 19 wait for phone call - 11:00 U.S. embassy calls - We're approved, but they don't know if they'll be able to print out the Visa today or not...(printer problems)We head out for a celebratory lunch and come back at 1:45...Yikes! The called while we were out and want us at the embassy at 1:15. We hop a taxi and make it by 3:00...and after an hour we have her IR3 Visa in hand!
Day 20 Off to Nagarkot 9 am --- Heavenly, quiet, cooler.
Day 21 Stay just outside of Nagarkot until 4 pm
Day 22 11 am leave for Flight back to USA !