Thanks so much for visiting us during our journey, Jim, Trina, Nick, Jesse, Catherine and Faith!
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November 28, 2006
Today was consulate appointment day. After breakfast we were told to wait in our rooms while Peter, the local coordinator, went to the consulate for us. They would review our paperwork, and call us if there were any questions. Nobody got a call, although Peter and Li Ping had to explain to them that we were in the military, and that was why our current address is in England, not the U.S. They must have accepted this explanation, because we didn’t get a call.
Once we got the “all clear” we were free to do as we pleased. This meant more shopping. Trina and I had made a list of who was getting what gift while we were waiting in limbo, so we were prepared. We went to one store to buy Faith and Catherine matching dresses, but they didn’t have Cat’s size, so we went to Andy’s. We hit the jackpot in that place, or maybe I should say they did. We ended up getting 90% of our gifts in that one store.
After all of the shopping at Andy’s we were worn out and needed a pick-me-up, so the next stop was Blenz Café, a coffee shop. Prices were the same as in the States, but boy was it good. Trina and I both had iced coffee drinks. We set out to find Jordon’s shop, since we had heard he was a Christian, and you could get some good bargains there. As we were walking down the street we met this man, who asked us how old Faith was. We started talking, and it happened to be Jordon, walking back to his store from church. We had gone too far. He told us that the square in front of the church was famous because it used to be a border between the French side and the English side of the island, and that there was a long battle over it because the French wanted to build a church and the English didn’t want them to. Anyway, the fence used to be where the square is now, so no cars are allowed there, and the French church is still standing.
We picked up a few more items at Jordon’s and had to return to the hotel. This evening was “Red Couch” picture night. What a bunch of chaos. I don’t see how or why this became a tradition. It was madness. We got through it and managed to get some good pictures of the girls in their traditional outfits. Then we all took a break to change them back into some regular clothes before we all went to dinner together.
Trina and I searched for the last few remaining gifts after dinner, then came back to have dessert with Joleigh’s family. They leave tomorrow after we go to the consulate for the swearing-in ceremony. I can’t believe this journey is almost over. At times we are ready to return home, and other times it seems as if these two weeks have gone all too quickly. We both miss our other children a lot, and cannot wait to see them again. I know they are anxious to meet their sister. Only two more days. We’ll see you soon kids, love and miss you!
