If you like signs in Chinese, and dejected looking people in masks. I
asked my friend Julia to put up an update, but I can’t see the site
now–I should have a connector cord later today. I just belatedly
realized I could blog this way.
As I said, we are all fine. Feeling a little too lively. Fortunately,
the hotel has all the amenities…ping pong, badmitten, holes in the
walls, 3 squares, mold, paper slippers, cokes if you get your embassy
to call and request them, and a whole squad of people to take your
temperature twice a day. As long as we can all stay in the 37 degree
range, we’ll be out…Saturday.
If I’d written this this morning it would have been bleak and screamy.
I had held out a secret hope that the embassy could get us out
earlier–count from the original quarantine, or from rob’s positive
test…And they can’t. No one has said as much, but in general the
sense seems to be that we took our chances when we got on the plane,
as indeed we did. We just never thought this would actually happen.
If all goes well, we will meet Rory Monday. It’s a little hard to
believe all will go well at this point, but maybe it will. We are just
going to sit tight and not draw any attention to ourselves.
I still feel like I shouldn’t have dragged the kids into this, but
they seem pretty happy, all things considered. And they’re certainly
learning to eat what they’re given, and play with what’s here, and try
to communicate, and to make the best of a bad situation. We have had
our ugly moments–even Sam the optimist cried this morning–he’d
realized his bed had crumbs in it, and we never ate in that room–and
Lily and Wyatt are prone to taking it out on each other.
I would say this–don’t come without one adult per kid. (and if it’s
optional, don’t come at all–there are plently of other interesting
places to go). If Rob was alone he’d be in that 10×10 cell with the
kids sitting right next to him. China would have split us all up if
the embassy hadn’t stepped in–they seem to believe that a three year
old ought to be able to fend for himself in a hotel room.
Btw, the grand hyatt manager who was so kind and amazing to us? The
one we will be writing letters about, because he was so great?
Right here in the quarantine hotel next to us. That’s the workers
paradise.
KJ Dell’Antonia
sent from my iPhone
Just stopping by again to say I’m so sorry this is happening to you. Don’t be too hard on yourself for bringing your kids. You just couldn’t have known it would be this bad.
Hoping that the time passes as fast as it can for you, and you get to Fuzhou as soon as possible.
Just wanted to let you know we are all still thinking about you and praying things go as smooth as possible. I hope you are keeping a good journal so you can turn the lemons into limoncello one day.
All my best,
Cindy
So glad you guys are together, how frightening, hoping that everyone stays healthy and you are able to get the heck out of dodge on Saturday. What a story you will have to tell for the scrapbook!
Dawn
Ugh–I am soo sorry you are having to go through this. My heart is just breaking for you! We are still thinking and praying for all of you. Hang in there.
Ah the joys of international adoption! I will think good thoughts that all of you remain healthy and that Rob recovers quickly. This is the first I have seen of your blog, but I am enjoying reading through it. Elisabeth (mom to three little devils herself including one from China)
We will keep all of you in our prayers. We are waiting for TA and hope to travel in Sept. for our two waiting daughters in Beijing. they are our 5th and 6th China daughters. Ruthi
Where do things stand now? The suspense is killing me! it’s better than anything on tv (although I don’t have tv) and I can’t stop thinking about you all. How is Rob? Everyone else still healthy-ish? It’s Monday night there now and I can’t wait to hear the next chapter in your family adventure. the kids will all have great stories to tell for sure. I wish there was something I could do to help you guys out right now.
how ’bout you let me treat you to a big tall mocha latte when you get home?!?!
Stay sane,
Lisen
Hi. A friend told me about your situation & your blog. I’m so sorry you’re all stuck there. I hope your husband is well soon, and the rest of you manage to stay healthy. I’ll keep checking back and will be very happy to see pictures of you with Rory next week!
Jennie, mom to my own to devils — one bio, one Chinese
My wife forwarded your blog. I am so glad you stood firm and refused to be separated, no easy feat with the Chinese. We’ll be traveling in 6 months or so to adopt our second daughter. My two older bio kids wanted to come to China this time, but having read your blog, now I am even more content with our decision to travel to Disney with them instead.
You are in my prayers.
We expect to go to China in the fall, and were just emailed about this policy. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I can just hope, that when quarantine is all over the rest of your trip is so wonderful that it makes up…well, balances a litte…for this trauma. As my ex-husband used to say, “Think of it as an adventure.” (Despite the number of times he said this, he’s still a friend.)
— Leslie
We will be traveling to pick up our son in the next 6 months or so, and cannot imagine what you are all going through. I am so sorry this is happening to you all! Please know that there is a big group of us praying for your family right now!
Here’s hoping you’re out Saturday! Sending 37 degree C thoughts to you!
I have just found you on Skype, if you want to chat!! we had a long weekend here in London WAITING for that referral fon call.Still nothing today! But I am amazed at your website, and what you write!! We are thinking of all of you and hope on Saturday you will be reunited. Somewhere down the line this will be the Story of the Century, the year of the Absurd! I started taking my temp today, tomorrow will start with my BP!! It’s a terrible season for hayfever sufferers!!!Heads up!! hugs
I know you must be sick with worry and guilt about putting your kids in this situation, but I would bet our mortgage that your kids are going to be closer to each other – and to Rory – because of this. What an adventure and what a memorable experience for them! Don’t discount how resilient kids are and how much they are going to LOVE telling this story over and over again for years. Hang in there and definitely take notes for your screenplay 🙂 The next time you feel guilty, just imagine how the kids would feel if they were on the other side of the world while this was happening, instead of right there with you being reassured and getting bored and into trouble…
Hang in there. Stay positive. You all will get through this. Soon Rory will be by your side.