Holidays and Presidential Funerals

Well, we found out last week that the department of the US Embassy that issues the visa appointments was closed from Christmas to New Years. So, we settled in to wait it out, trying to be patient, and then President Ford passed away. Due to his funeral today, the Embassy was closed again. Therefore, we have had no movement in a week and a half. Our attorney plans to go to the Embassy tomorrow and, hopefully, pick up our Pink Sheet. In other words, find out when our visa appointment has been scheduled. Please pray that he made no errors causing him to have to resubmit us! Anyway, once we have the Pink Sheet, we can actually contact the Immigration and Visa department of the Embassy and request an earlier appointment. Because people most of the time need time to travel, the appointments are usually a week or two out. However, we have been told that if you are already here, they can usually fit you in earlier. Cross your fingers!

We plan to go to Guatemala City tomorrow, so that we are available at a moment's notice if need be. Even if we could get in Thursday for a visa appointment, the Embassy is closed on Fridays, so we wouldn't actually receive the visa until Monday late in the day. Therefore, we believe the earliest we'll be leaving Guatemala is Tuesday. Oh, please let it be so!

Don't get me wrong, we are enjoying Antigua's beautiful weather and this time we are able to spend getting to know Adan, but we so want to get home and introduce him to friends and family. (And, if I'm not mistaken, they seem pretty anxious to meet him too!).

I will hopefully know more about our departure date in the next couple dates. Also, in Guatemala City, I will have easier access to the internet, so I should be able to post as I have updates. Hope to see you all soon!