U.S. Consulate Appointment

Well today was the day that this whole trip was scheduled around - our appointment with the U.S. Consulate to review all of our paperwork to obtain the visa for Zeke.  Without the visa Zeke wouldn't be allowed into the U.S. with us.  We went with the rest of our travel group and 2 other families (who are staying here at the White Swan) on the hotel shuttle bus.  We got there early and our guide got the remaining paperwork that we needed - Zeke's medical exam report (from his exam on Sat).  We waited until the office opened and then we sat in a waiting room.  There was a woman talking to us on the other side of the glass and she asked us to all stand up and raise our right hand.  We had to repeat after her - saying that all of the documents that we were providing were true to the best of our knowledge.  Then we sat down and waited to be called up to the window one family at a time to review the documents.  We were the last family of the bunch to go.  Everything went smoothly - we all provided the necessary things and they should have his visa ready for our guide to pick up tomorrow afternoon.  We got back to the hotel around 10am with nothing scheduled for the rest of the day today or tomorrow.  Boredom is setting in!  Let's get home!

On the ride back to the hotel Zeke threw a tantrum because the girl in the seat in front of us had a cookie that looked like a cookie he had been given by his orphanage worker.  He wanted that cookie and nothing we could do would make him stop!  He didn't want our cheerios.  He didn't want water.  He just wanted that cookie and we couldn't give it to him.  We didn't have much with us to offer him because we were told we couldn't take anything in with us to the Consulate.  I don't think it would have mattered because he had his mind set on one thing - that cookie!  We passed him back and forth between Bruce and I and sometimes when he was with me he would settle down a bit but then he would start up again and finally he just dozed off.  This reprograming his little mind is going to be tough.  I'm glad that they provided for his needs at the SWI but it's going to take some time for him to realize that he can't get whatever he wants.  Life is rough sometimes!

The view from our hotel room

Zeke in his traditional Mongolian clothing (yes this is what boys would wear!)

Zeke not wanting to stand still for a picture!

We walked around town a little bit before lunch but we need to stop doing that because all we do is spend money!  We found a little shop that is run by a Christian man and he has some neat wooden plaques with Bible verses in Chinese and English.  We have to go back and buy one of those once we exchange a little more money.  He had a Bible that is in English and Chinese that he showed to us. He said that is how he learns some English words.  He was neat to talk with - I wish we would have found him sooner.  There is another man who has a shop who is also a Christian and we bought a ton of stuff from him.  I'm sure it's hard for them since they are a minority here so we try to give them our business and support them in that way. 

We went to Subway for lunch today.  It was good but not quite the same as at home since we aren't allowed to order the lettuce and tomatoes over here!  A hoagie just isn't the same without the lettuce and tomatoes!  It will be good to get home and be able to drink tap water and not worry about eating certain fruits and vegatables.  I could go for some fresh local strawberries but they will probably be over by the time we get home.  They have a lot of watermelon over here.  One more full day here and then we will be homeward bound!!!

We went to Cow and Bridge again for dinner tonight.  We then attempted to take the famous "red couch photo" with the kids and each family.  It was somewhat successful.  Zeke thought it was more fun to use the couch as a jungle gym and wanted to jump off of it.  He has no fear and no concept of heights or depths!  By the time he was supposed to sit with Mommy and Daddy he didn't want any parts of sitting still!  Oh well!

Zeke, Violet, Nicholas

Gar, Violet, and Nikki

Bruce, Rhonda and an escaping Zeke!

Kelly, Nicholas, and Justin

Night time view from our hotel