One-Week Out from Departure

Last week, we were told to go forward and buy our tickets! Of course, this past week has been WAY too busy. Unfortunately, it took a while to get this update ready to send out.

Here is the final travel itinerary… We are very excited.

Tentative travel dates & itinerary:
Tues, June 23, leave US if you want to join tours for Thurs & Friday
Wed, June 24, arrive in BJ- Renaissance Beijing Hotel
Thurs, June 25, Tour - Summer Palace
Fri, June 26, Tour - Temple of Heaven in morning; lunch at Dai Jia Cun Restaurant; Hutong Tour and the Chinese Acrobat Show in afternoon
Sat, June 27, sightseeing in BJ : TianAnMen Square, Forbidden City and the Great Wall (Juyongguan), lunch is included; CHI orientation
Sun, June 28, Travel to Guangzhoug (China Hotel in GZ)
Mon, June 29, Meet children in the morning (you will not be permitted to visit your child’s orphanage due the H1N1 flu)
Tues, June 30, do adoption process
Wed-Friday, July 1 - 3 free days and sightseeing
Sat, 7/4, other groups will arrive in Guangzhou
Sun, 7/5, Free day
Mon, 7/6, medical exam for children,
Tues, 7/7, first choice for ACS appt (Wed, July 8-2nd choice, Thurs, July 9 – 3rd choice)
Wed, 7/8. take oath at the ACS and get child’s visa late in the day (depending on confirmed date at the ACS)
Thurs, 7/10 return to US. (depending on the confirmed ACS appt date) .

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Here is the run-down:

Matched with perspective child and sent medical file: Saturday, March 28th at 11:43pm
Made decision and decided to adopt (Referral Day): Monday, March 30th
Pre-Approval: Wednesday, April 8th
Seeking Confirmation Letter: April 28th
Travel Approval: May 28th (about 2 weeks later than estimated)
Confirmation of Consulate Appointments: 05 June 2009
Departing for China: 23 June 2009