The process

This is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building where the travel documents for Nepali citizens are issued. We are waiting around to see if the official will see us.



It seemed once we became Shanti’s parents we should have been able to breathe a sigh of relief, and relax. But that is not the process. Thursday we became her parents. Friday at 10 AM we went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ask them to issue Nepali travel documents for our daughter…..the official who we needed to speak to was too busy so he told us to come back at 12:30. At 12:30 we still needed to wait while he dealt with the people that had been there before us. More forms to fill out, passport photos to paste on applications, fees to pay. Drive back to the hotel for 1 hour to feed ourselves and Shanti, and then off to the US embassy doctor to have an exam and blood tests for Shanti’s US Visa. The exam was minimal. Heart, lung and abdominal exam followed by weight (done on a ratty old bathroom scale) and height. The blood test for Shanti was only a blood typing, but the children over 2 have to have a TB test done. They will have to return on Sunday to have those read.

Last, off to the Bluebird department store to pick up some necessary items – baby cereal, enriched dried baby milk, potty seats, etc. It’s a three story store with small quantities of just about anything you could want; from thermoses to spices to clothing and luggage.



Proud parents with their daughter Shanti