What a rollercoaster ride. One minute everything is ok, the next minute we can't leave, then we can, then
we can't. So yesterday just after I posted we were good with the passport we got a call from our guide who was told by the consulate that while they would issue the VISA even though her passport had less than six months left they told her we may not be able to leave China because the Chinese authorities may not allow it. Our choice was to send away to Changsha for a new passport and postpone leaving or take our chances in Shanghai where we were to board our flight home. If we could not board we would have to fly to Changsha and get a new passport then re-book our flights home and the delay would be even longer. After discussing the situation with the adoption agency in Washington State and then checking airline schedules we decided to take our chances in Shanghai. We also decided to talk with the officials at the US Consulate. In the meantime we worked out Plan B which was for Lisa to go home without me and I would stay with Daiyu and make sure we got her passport taken care of if worst came to worst. We went to the consulate and took our oath (that we were truthful in our application) then I went to talk with the adoption officer. She already knew all about our case. We were making headlines at the consulate. She finally said she would have the consulate officer on duty when we arrived in Shanghai briefed and ready to get us on the plane if there were any issues. Just as I went to sit down our name was called to hand in our paperwork and we headed up to the window. The staff member assisting us quickly recognized our situation
and again warned us we may not get out of China (give me a break and make up your minds). Since it was his boss that told us we would get out we are counting on that happening. If not, Plan B remains viable. Regardless, we will have her passport and VISA delivered to us tomorrow afternoon and we will be ready to leave for Shanghai Sunday AM. After the consulate visit we took a quick side trip to have our pictures taken near some landmarks that I cannot pronounce and then headed back to the hotel for an early night. Today we went shopping (sound familiar). I am starting to get worried we won't be able to get all these gifts and merchandise back to the US with us but we will certainly try. I'm pretty sure there is something for everyone. We are getting closer everyday and as several of you have said "He is in control". With that I will quit worrying for today. Good night for now. Tomorrow will bring a whole new set of adventures.
we can't. So yesterday just after I posted we were good with the passport we got a call from our guide who was told by the consulate that while they would issue the VISA even though her passport had less than six months left they told her we may not be able to leave China because the Chinese authorities may not allow it. Our choice was to send away to Changsha for a new passport and postpone leaving or take our chances in Shanghai where we were to board our flight home. If we could not board we would have to fly to Changsha and get a new passport then re-book our flights home and the delay would be even longer. After discussing the situation with the adoption agency in Washington State and then checking airline schedules we decided to take our chances in Shanghai. We also decided to talk with the officials at the US Consulate. In the meantime we worked out Plan B which was for Lisa to go home without me and I would stay with Daiyu and make sure we got her passport taken care of if worst came to worst. We went to the consulate and took our oath (that we were truthful in our application) then I went to talk with the adoption officer. She already knew all about our case. We were making headlines at the consulate. She finally said she would have the consulate officer on duty when we arrived in Shanghai briefed and ready to get us on the plane if there were any issues. Just as I went to sit down our name was called to hand in our paperwork and we headed up to the window. The staff member assisting us quickly recognized our situation 
and again warned us we may not get out of China (give me a break and make up your minds). Since it was his boss that told us we would get out we are counting on that happening. If not, Plan B remains viable. Regardless, we will have her passport and VISA delivered to us tomorrow afternoon and we will be ready to leave for Shanghai Sunday AM. After the consulate visit we took a quick side trip to have our pictures taken near some landmarks that I cannot pronounce and then headed back to the hotel for an early night. Today we went shopping (sound familiar). I am starting to get worried we won't be able to get all these gifts and merchandise back to the US with us but we will certainly try. I'm pretty sure there is something for everyone. We are getting closer everyday and as several of you have said "He is in control". With that I will quit worrying for today. Good night for now. Tomorrow will bring a whole new set of adventures.
Your comfort will come when you are nestled in an airplane seat on the way home, to the land of the free, home of the brave.
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