Home Safe and Sound - Eventually!!!!

Mixed emotions about leaving our room on Friday night. Rachana had been very happy in her little world for the last two weeks, and we were not looking forward to the long trip home!!

Quick stop at the Lounge on the way out to say goodbye to our Happy Hour friends. They were so great with Rachana, helping us out with the language and getting us whatever we needed for her (and the odd glass of wine for us too!!).

Finally took off from Kathmandu at 11.30pm on Friday night and arrived at JFK at 3pm on Saturday. Allowing for the time difference a total of about 26 travelling - 3 airports...........................

Crazy Kathmandu for a five hour flight to Doha..............................

..............Doha, Qatar from 2am to 8am - a nice 6 hour layover in the middle of the night!.....................

...........And finally arrival at JFK at 3pm - after a short 13 hour flight!................................

There were tears (Danielle - not Rachana!) after the immigration process and the officer "offically" welcomed her to the USA!

Nana, Pop Pop and Uncle Vincent were the welcoming commitee, complete with signs and balloons, happy to finally meet their granddaughter and niece! Then it was back to our house to meet our furry friends. It was all a bit much for her after such an exhausting trip. She was very happy to settle into her new room and bed and was sound asleep for the night within minutes!

Next morning we took her out to the school playround by our house, and she loved it. Wasted no time exploring all the slides.

Enjoyed Easter Sunday with the Family, Rachana getting her first Easter baskets. Enough candy to last until next year!

Thank you to everyone for following our journey. We loved checking in every day to read your comments. Your thoughts and prayers meant so much to us and kept us going. Rachana can't wait to meet you all!!!!!

Happy Easter from Mick, Danielle, Rachana, Lupa, Kendall, Tino...................and London!!........

Signing Off from Kathmandu!!!

We had a little "dress up" before breakfast this morning. Rachana was sleeping when she got her gifts last night, so she was excited to try everything on this morning! First the Indian outfit! She loved it - very sparkly. She wanted to wear it to breakfast!

Then the Nepali outfit (including Mick's hat!). Namaste!!!!

Was hoping to post some final pictures but the day got away from us! Packing to head to the airport!

See you all soon. Signing off from Kathmandu!!!!!!!!

It's Official - We Are Coming Home!!!!!

We finally got the email from the US Embassy early this afternoon, telling us we could come and pick up Rachana's Travel Document - complete with Visa!! Would love to have recorded our biggest day yet, but no photos at the US Embassy, not even outside! Although we had some stressful days along the way it actually worked out perfectly in the end. We are coming home as planned tomorrow!

After the Embassy Aruna and Ashish took us to Patan, Durbar Square. It is the Old Royal Palace of Patan and is home to a mass of temples. It was an amazing place, and was so nice to see ancient architecture and really get a feel for "old" Nepal.

Found a nice restaurant with a rooftop terrace for our last dinner, before heading back to the hotel. Aruna came in as we had to give her some paperwork. We were so overwhelmed when she gave us some beautiful gifts for Rachana, a traditional Nepali outfit and an ornate Indian skirt and top. Also a really pretty handmade Pashmina Shawl for Danielle and even a Nepali hat for Mick. Check it out!!

It was a very emotional end to the night. Great to be coming home, but we will miss the wonderful people we have met like Aruna, Ashish and Roshu. They have been so kind to us and so generous with their time.

Enjoying Our Last Few Days

Went back to the trampoline after breakfast today. This time she was much braver and jumped on her own. Nana and Pop Pop - one for the birthday wish list!?

After a morning of swimming we headed into Thamel to visit the Garden of Dreams. It's like a little oasis in the middle of a hectic city. Beautifully built in the 1920's and modelled on English Edwardian Gardens.

Then on to a pizzeria that we heard about that was close by. Nana, you had best have the pasta ready when we get back - Rachana seems to like it!

After dinner was wandered for a while in Thamel, but someone was cranky by then so we didn't last long. It's a bit of a crazy place to be with an uncooperative three year old! 

Back to the hotel in a taxi. Her new thing is falling asleep listening to her Nepali Folk Songs CD!

Embassy Interview and Sightseeing

Today got off to a great start when we got an email from the Embassy to say that finally the document we needed was visible to them and we were in good shape. Talk about timing - our interview was set for 2pm! Rainy day so we took our time getting ready. Rachana discovered lip gloss!

Then it was off to the Embassy where everything went to plan. Presuming there are no problems with the processing we should be able to collect Rachana's travel document, complete with visa by Thursday afternoon! So after our appointment we went to the Qatar Airlines office and booked her flight!


Afterwards Aruna and her husband Ashish were free for the rest of the day and very kindly offered to take us to the Swayambhunath "Monkey Temple". You can see where it get's it's name!

It's located at a really high point of Kathmandu with a great view of the entire Valley. It was a bit rainy again which meant visibility wasn't great - but the rainbow more than made up for it - beautiful!

We spent time wandering around the Stupa looking at the amazing architecture and artefacts dating back to AD 460. It was a really nice change of pace!

We wanted to take Aruna and Ashish for dinner so they picked a nice place on the way back to the hotel. We let them pick out our food, trying some Newari (local to Kathmandu) dishes and a few "safe bets!" Everything was great! Celebrated being almost home free with a bottle of bubbly!

Finally got back to the hotel around 9pm and Rachana barely managed to crawl into bed before she was fast asleep! All in all a really good day!!

Rachana's Travel Documents Approved!!

Time for a quick swim this morning before Aruna picked us up to go and collect Rachana's Travel Document. Got there to find we were looking at at least an hour wait so we went into Thamel to kill some time. Returned to find we had missed our assigned number which led to some more anxious waiting. Can you spot Mick listening for Rachana's name at the window!?

Thankfully everything was fine, and after another long wait we finally got her document. Another step completed!

Then it was back to the hotel for a celebratory beer (and wine of course) by the pool. To Rob S and Andy H - cheers to Gorkha Beer - the local brew!!

And for those of you asking for more video............Rachana made a calll today. Any help with translation much appreciated!!!...................................

Still haven't received word about the final document we need, but we are able to go ahead with our embassy interview tomorrow. At least this way we will have everything done, and we won't lose any days. As soon as the document is visible to the embassy the visa can be issued. We have a small amount of breathing room!!

A Day of Ups and Downs

This morning Rachana decided it's time to go home. Thought she could save us a seat on the plane!

Now that she is finding her feet with us she is definitely starting to test the limits! Jekyll and Hyde is an understatement! From what we have researched and the experience of others that we know this is pretty much par for the course, but frustrating nonetheless!

Passed the day swimming and taking a long nap this afternoon. Then it was up, shower and ready for a walk into town to our new favorite restaurant!

We found a place in Boudha that has a nice garden and serves really good food - especially the momo's. Dinner for three and two glasses of wine for a lot less than the two glasses of wine at the Hyatt!

Resisted the temptation (?) for dessert on the way home. There are some things that are better left to the Hyatt!

Hoping tomorrow brings some positive news from the Embassy!



A Day With Friends!

Started off our day with a bath - again. She really loves the tub!

Donna and Tara decided to join us at the pool today. They live in Manhattan so hopefully the girls will get to see each other once we are home. They played nicely together in the jacuzzi.

When they had enough of the water we decided to walk into town for an early dinner. A nice German woman we met at the hotel recommended a cafe by the Stupa - good choice. Rachana loves "momos" (steamed dumplings) and can demolish a plate in no time!

Took our time walking back taking in the sights.

Rachana had one more dance left in her before hitting the sack!

Still no word on the paperwork. Let's hope Monday brings good news. We are ready to come home!

A Busy Day

Nice weather again this morning so after breakfast we headed down to the pool. Aruna wasn't coming for us until 1pm so we had some time. We had lots of fun but eventually Rachana got a little too crazy! She had her first experience of "time out"! We have to work on the thumb sucking or orthodontist here we come!

Then it was off to the clinic where she got a clean bill of health! One more step out of the way. Couldn't take any pictures as something happened to our camera (maybe Rachana had something to do with it!!?). Had to stop on the way home to buy another one. At "the mall" (not Short Hills!) she spotted a dolphin ballloon which was the best fifty rupees (85 cents) we have spent so far. Kept her amused for a long time!

Took a walk to the Stupa again. At least it's a bit more interesting than just walking the hotel grounds!

Got back in time for some appetizers at happy hour. Rachana is starting to warm up to a few more people. It is nice to see her coming out of her shell. For the first time she actually engaged with a very nice man we had been talking to, and seemed to enjoy showing him her coloring book.

When we got back to the room she was so exhausted (no nap today) that she climbed into our bed, got under the covers and was asleep within five minutes!

To our Ironia friends - enjoy your Spring Break. Hopefully we will be back before it is over!

Love to all. Miss you!

A Day of Outings!

Woke up to a nicer day and were able to eat breakfast outside. After breakfast Rachana showed us that Hide and Seek is a universal game!

We took our first walk outside on our own today. There is a path that leads to the Stupa (Temple) from the back of our hotel. It was nice to be out and about. It was really busy being a holiday with lots of things to see. I think Rachana enjoyed it.

The plan was to swim when we got back, but as soon as we got her in her bathing suit it started raining again! Just wondering what to do when Donna (another US mom) called to see if we would like to meet them and another family for an early dinner. We jumped at the chance to get out of the hotel and meet others with children.

We ate outside at a small Japanese restaurant in Lazimpat, about half hour from our hotel. Really nice people and good to share some stories and realize the challenges are the same for everyone! The children were all very sweet, but didn't interact too much with one another. We managed to get them together towards the end for a photo!

This is Rachana, Laxmi and Tara Hisi. Tara Hisi and her mom live in Manhattan so hopefully we can keep in touch. I am sure we will keep in touch with a lot of the families going through this together!

Back to the clinic tomorrow for a check up and TB test results. Hoping for better weather for a quick swim before we go!

Happy New Year from Kathmandu

Tonight is New Year's Eve in the Nepal calendar and tomorrow is a holiday. The first day of 2068!

Spent some time watching the local Nepali musicians playing traditional music.

Went to check out the casino (kids are allowed!?) but didn't stay believe it or not! Rachana enjoyed checking out the fish in the tanks and the balloons!

Happy 2068!!!!!!

Our First Clinic Day

Woke up to the first rainy day of our trip. Not much to do in the rain in Kathmandu! We made bath time and breakfast last as long as possible to kill some time. Just as we were wondering what to do Aruna called to say she had made an appointment for us at the clinic. Rachana would not have looked so happy if she knew she was about to get a needle for her TB test!

She was very brave, and although she was not too pleased there were no tears. We were very proud of her!

Stopped at one of the bigger general stores on the way home to get a few more toys for the room. Just like home, everything is made in China. She picked out a Hannah Montana doll and markers to do more coloring. We still have to keep her busy for nine more days in a hotel room!!

Arrrived back at the hotel but could not get in the gate right away due to some traffic congestion!!!

Update from our agency, the paperwork that is needed should have arrived at the processing center in the US today. Then three business days for it to be uploaded and viewable to the Embassy here in Kathmandu. If all goes to plan we should be okay for our interview Tuesday. Fingers crossed!!

Next US Gymnastics Gold Medalist?...........

Deb H - What do you think. Does she have potential??

Relaxing Day by the Pool.......until....

After breakfast we were walking the hotel grounds and discovered a trampoline! It took her awhile to figure out what to do but she loved bouncing!!!

Rachana wore her first bikini to the pool today!!

She decided she liked the jacuzzi instead of the frigid kids pool.  Its amazing how she keeps putting her face in the water but doesn't like us to let go of her!  It is hard to explain to her that the swimmies and tube will keep her afloat!! 

After two hours in the water and very wrinkly fingers we were able to bring her back to the room for a much needed nap!! 

Once she was fast asleep we received an email from the US Embassy stating that they can't find a document that we need in order to complete our adoption!!!  This freaked us out!!  Mick has been on the phone with the Embassy and we are waiting for a call from our US agency!!  We think it is lost in cyberspace somewhere!!  We have an email from March 16th stating it was sent!!  Keep your fingers crossed that they find it and it won't delay our departure!!