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Traveling to and in China
OUR ORIGINAL itinerary and schedule
for the first day in Nanning came as quite a surprise.
We had always traveled to Asia by leaving the East Coast
in the morning, arriving in Asia in the late afternoon
or evening of the following day. Instead, we were scheduled
to leave the East Coast early Friday afternoon, January
2, connect in Los Angeles, then arrive in Guangzhou
early Sunday morning, January 4. We were then to connect
to our flight to Nanning later that morning and arrive
in Nanning Sunday around 10:30 a.m. We would check into
our hotel upon our arrival, then at 7:00 p.m. Sunday
night, we were scheduled to go to the Lottery Hotel
to pick up our daughter.
Thankfully, CCAI was able to change
"gotcha" day (the day we received Sydney)
from Sunday evening to Monday afternoon, giving us all
a chance to recover slightly Sunday. However, the flight
to Guangzhou from Los Angeles on China Southern Airways
was not that bad; as good as a 15-hour flight can be,
I suppose! It helped to have traveled to Asia several
times before taking the flight, as we were not surprised
by the duration of the flight and we knew how to pass
the time: read some, watch movies, sleep, eat, and drink
lots of water.
 Our
revised in-China itinerary arrived to us as follows.
Note: The original contained more detail and provided
specific details on all required paperwork, photos,
original documents, and photocopies.
- Friday, January 2: Depart
for China
- Sunday, January 4: Arrive
in China
In Guangzhou, meet Raymond, CCAI Ghangzhou representative,
beyond Customs & Immigration. Depart from Guangzhou
to Nanning on a China Southern domestic flight. Arrive
in Nanning; meet CCAI Nanning representative Michael
and his assistant, Sarge. Travel by bus to MingYuan
Majestic Hotel in Nanning.
- Monday, January 5: "Gotcha"
Day
Complete Adoption Registration forms in the morning.
Travel by bus to Lottery Hotel at 4 PM to receive
your child. Congratulations!
- Tuesday, January 6: Adoption
Registration
Complete Adoption Registration and Adoption Notarization.
Apply for baby's passport using daughter's Chinese
name.
 Wednesday,
January 7: Local Department Store
One of several optional trips by bus; all such trips
were considered "pay as you go" outings.
Waiting for adoption paperwork to be completed.- Thursday, January 8: Minority
Cultural Museum
One of several optional trips by bus; all such trips
were considered "pay as you go" outings.
Waiting for adoption paperwork to be completed.
- Friday, January 9: Visit
Nearby Farming Village
One of several optional trips by bus; all such trips
were considered "pay as you go" outings.
Receive registration certificate and notarized adoption
documents, to be carefully proofread.
- Saturday, January 10:
Visit Yongning Social Welfare Institute
Optional, emotionally charged, and completely unofficial,
outing that included side trips to visit places of
abandonment. Receive child's Chinese passport, to
be carefully proofread.
- Sunday, January 11: Leave
Nanning for Guangzhou
Meet Raymond and Charlotte, CCAI representatives,
and travel by bus to the White Swan Hotel.
- Monday, January 12: Child's
Visa Photo and Physical
Get photo taken at nearby storefront studio, then
walk to nearby health clinic. Have medical exam form
completed before leaving clinic. Optional evening
dinner at nearby Thai restaurant.
- Tuesday, January 13: Complete
Consulate Appointment Paperwork
One member from each family brings required papers
and completes forms. Optional evening dinner at Guangzhou
"hotpot" restaurant.
- Wednesday, January 14:
Optional Guangzhou Tour
Visit the Chan Family Shrine and Museum, tourist shopping
area, 5 Banyan Tree Temple, and lunch in Guangzhou
Cantonese restaurant.
- Thursday, January 15:
U.S. Consulate Appointment
4:00 appointment with consulate officials to take
oath of citizenship on children's behalf.
- Friday, January 16: Return
to United States
Check out of White Swan Hotel and return home.
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