Guatemala 2009

(This story was transcribed by Christie as Dave told his story about his day today)

As we left for Pana to get to the taxi at 5:50 a.m. and when we arrived there we thought we were the last ones and wondered if there would be room for us because we didn’t have reservations. Some miscommunication had happened and we were in a full van with just enough room for us.

We found out some people were going to Antigua. We worried we wouldn’t be there by 10. I was supposed to be there 30 min early to get in line. We take off and called Larry and he said Miguel didn’t say this but there’s a spot where you’ll stop and then the Antigua people will get out to go to Antigua.

Start seeing signs, arrows for Antigua, he keeps following them, get into Antigua, starts asking the Antigua couple where their hotel is. She asked and said yes, Antigua. Thinking it would be 2 more hours to Guatemala City. Driver said no, 45 min. It was about 8:45, when we hit Ant. He gets us there to Guatemala City in about an hour thanks to another drop off at the airport. Got to the US Embassy at 9:45. Got in line, but thanks to being a US citizen, they zipped me through the line.

Right before pulling into the embassy parking area, Larry called, and says, better cancel your travel plans, because we got her birth certificate. I blubbered for a minute, and then I went inside. I was originally going to ask for a hardship visa, but instead I went into see if they could expedite the adoption process. According to the guy there, lots of people want that. “So no way”.

Jen is contacting Jerry Weller’s office to see if he can help. Now that we have the birth certificate, we’re asking Jerry Weller again for help by speeding up the process. Will know for sure by this afternoon whether or not I’m coming home with the group or staying here. Should have birth cert in hand today, and should have everything ready in 48-72 hours to get a travel date, and then typically an additional 10 days to 2 weeks to get the actual appointment with the embassy.

If Jerry Weller’s office cannot expedite this, I will go home and come back later.

Also, our fingerprinting has expired, so we need to get new fingerprinting, hopefully I can get them at the embassy here in Guatemala.