Written by Denny
USA! USA! USA! USA! That is how I felt on this day. Especially seeing Ole Glory flying even if it was behind 12 foot high security walls with cameras all around. For just a few hours we would officially be on US soil.
Wonder if I could get a decent burger and a drink with ice while we are in here?
Today was Consulate Day, the day all the Holt families went to apply for our child’s Visa into the U.S. which will make her a U.S. citizen once we land in Detroit. We took an oath (all at once mind you) that no one really remembers. Something about I’m a US Citizen, check, I promise to take care of this little one, check, blah blah blah blah, sure! “I solemnly swear.”
So let me back up to the morning of this short trip to U.S. Territory. We were supposed to be in the lobby at 7:30 AM ready to go. Our goup had the first appointments scheduled for the day. I probably don’t have to write about this part because I know what many of you who know us are already thinking it, but just for the record I was running on time. Gracie's picture below explains how we all felt about getting up so early and how she felt about wearing a headband. That didn't last long.
USA! USA! USA! USA! That is how I felt on this day. Especially seeing Ole Glory flying even if it was behind 12 foot high security walls with cameras all around. For just a few hours we would officially be on US soil.
Wonder if I could get a decent burger and a drink with ice while we are in here?
Today was Consulate Day, the day all the Holt families went to apply for our child’s Visa into the U.S. which will make her a U.S. citizen once we land in Detroit. We took an oath (all at once mind you) that no one really remembers. Something about I’m a US Citizen, check, I promise to take care of this little one, check, blah blah blah blah, sure! “I solemnly swear.”
So let me back up to the morning of this short trip to U.S. Territory. We were supposed to be in the lobby at 7:30 AM ready to go. Our goup had the first appointments scheduled for the day. I probably don’t have to write about this part because I know what many of you who know us are already thinking it, but just for the record I was running on time. Gracie's picture below explains how we all felt about getting up so early and how she felt about wearing a headband. That didn't last long.
Somewhere between running upstairs to get breakfast for everyone and coming back to the room showers were being taken, primping was being done and lateness invaded. Mind you I was not the one primping, this time! Those of you who know my beloved wife, know that of her numerous talents and abilities…punctuality is not one of them. In her defense she was getting about two hours of sleep each night with Gracie dead locked to her and also got ready each day while holding Gracie. And of course, we had to all be in red, white and blue. Nonetheless, I hate that guy that is always late and thereby makes everyone else late for important appointments. Turned out each time we went somewhere with the Holt group, I was that guy. It wasn’t Julie and the girls, it was always me running back to the room for something forgotten. Anyway, today was no different from Monday, last on the bus again. I don’t even remember what was forgotten this time. Didn’t matter, I sprinted onto the bus to the stares once again.
To the Consulate!
On our way we admired the large skyscrapers of downtown Guangzhou. I was intrigued by the apartments and the varying levels of roadways. There is a place where there are 5 roads stacked on top of each other…alll going in different directions.
On our way we admired the large skyscrapers of downtown Guangzhou. I was intrigued by the apartments and the varying levels of roadways. There is a place where there are 5 roads stacked on top of each other…alll going in different directions.
When we got to the drop off point, the bus was not allowed to park in front of the consulate so our guide gathered all of us and gave us last minute instructions. “Don’t forget, I cannot go into the consulate with you. Go to the 2nd floor and then to window #6. Take a number then sit down until they call your number.” She had gone over this the day before during a one family member attended meeting. I wish I would have listened a little better. So was that go to the 6th floor and then to window 2? And why does everyone have clear plastic bags for their stuff and no cell phones? Oops! Just follow the group Brown, you’ll be fine.
As we got closer to the front of the consulate the crowds grew exponentially. I did my best to stay near the front of the group keeping eyes on our guide. I noticed her raising her hand to remain visible, so I followed suite to help the other Holt families further back to stay on course. “Maybe that will make up for me being late?” The front of this place was packed with hundreds of Chinese all trying to get U.S. Visa’s I believe or at least I hoped at the time.
As we got closer to the front of the consulate the crowds grew exponentially. I did my best to stay near the front of the group keeping eyes on our guide. I noticed her raising her hand to remain visible, so I followed suite to help the other Holt families further back to stay on course. “Maybe that will make up for me being late?” The front of this place was packed with hundreds of Chinese all trying to get U.S. Visa’s I believe or at least I hoped at the time.
We were escorted right to the front of the line. As we broke through the initial mob at the entry gate that’s when I saw her for the first time, Ole Glory flying high! I think I teared up.
There was another huge line just inside the entry gate. Fortunately we were escorted to a much smaller line for US citizen-Adoptive families. I couldn’t believe all the people outside the main gate. I began snapping pictures of the crowd and of course Ole Glory. That’s when I realized why I wasn’t supposed to bring my cell phone…….
As I got up off the ground and felt the handcuffs piercing into my skin…. OK! That’s what you all would have wanted, right? What really happened was a nice officer came over and said excuse me sir, no pictures please. She must have noticed I was a good ole boy from the south who couldn’t help but take some photos of the greatest flag in all of the world.
The line led into a security area and this was as far as our guide could take us. She told me to just take the cell phones and show the security officers before we went through the metal detectors. If it was a problem she would hold them for us. They simply gave me a number and stuck our phones in a cubby for safe keeping. Easy enough. Out the door and follow the signs to the main building. Hey I can read that sign! This was probably the easiest navigation I’ve done on this trip. Ok, 2nd floor window 6. “Please go to window 7, the lady stated.” Hmm. That threw me off a bit. At window 7 I was asked my name and given a number. Just to verify “this is the line for adoption, correct?”. Yes nod, “we’re good.” The other families began arriving. Emma had her clear plastic bag but it was like a 2 gallon size bag with toys and colors and crafts and I’m not sure what else. That kid is always prepared. Her stuff turned out to be very helpful to all the families. The waiting area had a little play area with a table for kids. Emma turned it into Creation Station. She was so helpful and generous with her stuff. Gracie even got in on the action and decided to color her face with a marker. Geese, hope that doesn’t count against us.
As I got up off the ground and felt the handcuffs piercing into my skin…. OK! That’s what you all would have wanted, right? What really happened was a nice officer came over and said excuse me sir, no pictures please. She must have noticed I was a good ole boy from the south who couldn’t help but take some photos of the greatest flag in all of the world.
The line led into a security area and this was as far as our guide could take us. She told me to just take the cell phones and show the security officers before we went through the metal detectors. If it was a problem she would hold them for us. They simply gave me a number and stuck our phones in a cubby for safe keeping. Easy enough. Out the door and follow the signs to the main building. Hey I can read that sign! This was probably the easiest navigation I’ve done on this trip. Ok, 2nd floor window 6. “Please go to window 7, the lady stated.” Hmm. That threw me off a bit. At window 7 I was asked my name and given a number. Just to verify “this is the line for adoption, correct?”. Yes nod, “we’re good.” The other families began arriving. Emma had her clear plastic bag but it was like a 2 gallon size bag with toys and colors and crafts and I’m not sure what else. That kid is always prepared. Her stuff turned out to be very helpful to all the families. The waiting area had a little play area with a table for kids. Emma turned it into Creation Station. She was so helpful and generous with her stuff. Gracie even got in on the action and decided to color her face with a marker. Geese, hope that doesn’t count against us.
Emma discovered a little girl in our group that was her age and they became fast friends. She had been adopted from China and was back with her family to adopt a new little brother.
Numbers began to be called and a member from each family would take the child’s medical records and whatever else was in the packet I was supposed to guard with my life to the window. The lady pulled this out, put that back, handed me the envelope and said take a seat. That was easy! Just after this process had started we were called to window 8 where a young American man introduced himself and began giving us the 411 on the Visa process and making sure we were all going through with a Hague adoption. He asked about older kids being adopted and said they would have some special questions for them and that when he called us up he would need to see the child. “Hope we get that marker off Gracie’s face.” He then proceeded to ask us to repeat the oath.
Our time came to go up to window 8, and it was like Gracie was working this guy to make sure he stamped her passport and issued the Visa. It was so funny. He is talking to Julie and I and asking a few questions then Gracie blows him a kiss. Big smiles and laughter all around. I think Julie put her up to it. He was a handsome young man, and an international traveler no doubt! No matter, things went pretty smoothly for a government office. The Social Security Administration and the DMV could certainly learn something from this place.
Back outside, we wandered back to the drop off point and slowly began to see the other families gather around, reassurance we were in the right spot. No bus, but I hear a familiar voice yell “Happy Birthday!” I see one of our guides, John, coming out from a coffee shop in the large office complex in front of us. Julie looks confused and John realizes right away she had forgotten my birthday. (Julie reminds me now that I too forgot it was my birthday). John tries to play it up and comes over and says, “who’s greater, me or your wife now?” That’s easy, “my wife.” Forget my birthday or not she is always the greatest person to me. Anyway, it did provide for a bit of comic relief. I asked how she was ever going to pull off my traditional carrot cake in China. As we sat around the kids began to play on the steps and just be kids. It was funny, it was like we had a temporary kids day care taking place right on the front steps of this huge official office building. We were used to the staring at this point, so what was a little more?
I was intrigued by the FedEx or currier guy that pulled up on his bike and began off loading boxes onto the steps.
Numbers began to be called and a member from each family would take the child’s medical records and whatever else was in the packet I was supposed to guard with my life to the window. The lady pulled this out, put that back, handed me the envelope and said take a seat. That was easy! Just after this process had started we were called to window 8 where a young American man introduced himself and began giving us the 411 on the Visa process and making sure we were all going through with a Hague adoption. He asked about older kids being adopted and said they would have some special questions for them and that when he called us up he would need to see the child. “Hope we get that marker off Gracie’s face.” He then proceeded to ask us to repeat the oath.
Our time came to go up to window 8, and it was like Gracie was working this guy to make sure he stamped her passport and issued the Visa. It was so funny. He is talking to Julie and I and asking a few questions then Gracie blows him a kiss. Big smiles and laughter all around. I think Julie put her up to it. He was a handsome young man, and an international traveler no doubt! No matter, things went pretty smoothly for a government office. The Social Security Administration and the DMV could certainly learn something from this place.
Back outside, we wandered back to the drop off point and slowly began to see the other families gather around, reassurance we were in the right spot. No bus, but I hear a familiar voice yell “Happy Birthday!” I see one of our guides, John, coming out from a coffee shop in the large office complex in front of us. Julie looks confused and John realizes right away she had forgotten my birthday. (Julie reminds me now that I too forgot it was my birthday). John tries to play it up and comes over and says, “who’s greater, me or your wife now?” That’s easy, “my wife.” Forget my birthday or not she is always the greatest person to me. Anyway, it did provide for a bit of comic relief. I asked how she was ever going to pull off my traditional carrot cake in China. As we sat around the kids began to play on the steps and just be kids. It was funny, it was like we had a temporary kids day care taking place right on the front steps of this huge official office building. We were used to the staring at this point, so what was a little more?
I was intrigued by the FedEx or currier guy that pulled up on his bike and began off loading boxes onto the steps.
I never did get to see if he left the rest of the stuff and carried the boxes in or someone met him out there. Like to see that happen in NYC. Our bus arrived and we were heading back to the hotel.
That afternoon we had made plans to connect with an awesome family from Texas who we met in Nanjing. This is the family Emma had a tea party with their daughter, Willow.
That afternoon we had made plans to connect with an awesome family from Texas who we met in Nanjing. This is the family Emma had a tea party with their daughter, Willow.
We headed to a park just around the corner from the hotel. We went down into a tunnel in order to cross the busy road at the park. The park was beautiful with a large lake at the center and a large walking path with various side paths around it. The fishing spots were even beautiful.
There was a large abandoned building at the edge of the lake. It was a very beautiful and ornate building. We all wondered what it used to be and why it was abandoned now. We took a picture of the name to look up later.
We saw some people doing Thai Chi, playing badminton, fishing and playing what looked like hacky sack. It was more like an oversized badminton birdie.
After being double dared by my wife, I decided to go check it out and give it a try. The people were very friendly and happy to allow me into the circle. Emma decided she wanted to join in too after daddy had broken the ice. Very pleasant area and people.
We discovered an outside adult work out area and ping pong tables. There was a little shop near here where we bought a couple of the kick birdies. We also discovered a children’s area complete with carnival type rides and a playground. Lots of older metal playground equipment perfect for testing your tetanus vaccine out on.
After the park we headed to the first restaurant our friends had gone to with their daughter when they were in Guangzhou for her adoption a few years ago. You knew this place was nice by the number of fish tanks and live seafood they had available.
We were escorted to one of the many private dining rooms with a large table and a lazy susan. After some challenges with ordering we ended up with some of the best fried rice I’ve ever had. The meal was good and the company a lot of fun. We did pass on the seahorse soup though.
We headed back to the hotel for naps for the little ones and some swimming for Emma. All in all it was a nice day made even nicer by our brief stay on US soil, signs we could read, people speaking English and some fun with new friends. That evening our agency had all the families gather on the hotel steps, as tradition, and get pictures made with all of the new children and the moms and dads. You can see how Gracie felt at this point being in just my lap.
Look at ALL of these beautiful kiddos with their new families!