May 17, 2011

One year ago today was all about paperwork for us. Our group gathered with one of our guides to fill out some documents and put together a packet for the Embassy to apply for the babies' visas to enter the US. We had brought some paperwork, we needed some others; one of the couples with us was able to print the copies our group was short so we could all get the correct sheets filled in. The hard part for us was the documents we had just received in our care package from Rwanda were not translated into English yet. I went along with one of the dads in our group and one of our guides to find a translation office.

We drove through the city to a new area we hadn't been to yet. It seemed like such a large city, I don't know if it was because nothing was familiar or if we did truly see a lot of the city, or maybe it was just the crazy driving that made the drive feel really long. One time we saw the driver of a van slow down and honk at a person in the middle of the street, when he didn't move fast enough he leaned out and literally pulled him out of the way so the van didn't have to ever stop. It was so different.

When we reached a strip mall type location we entered a translation shop to inquire about getting our 4 documents and the other family's 1 document translated. Our guide had informed us we would have to pay a higher price because we did need them in a hurry, probably twice the normal cost. We understood and of course were happy to pay so we could get the kids home and knew we would probably pay a huge amount if we were in the states, if we could find someone who could translate the ones written in the native language of Rwanda. The manager did have a technician that could translate for us in the short time we had available, I would have to pay twice as much for one of our documents as well because it was extra large, actually 2 sheets long. In the end to get my 4 (5 for the long one) documents translated into english it cost $34.00! Can you imagine, this was twice as much, you know we did not fuss for paying $34.00 for the documents.

After our guide brought back our translations we put together our packets for the Embassy. It was so stressful to take all those documents we had fought hard/waited long for and turn them over. We packaged it the best we could and added in the money for the cost of the visa processing. One member from each family in our group then went over to the Embassy to submit the packets. Once the applications were accepted we were able to receive appointments for our kids' visas. Big step done!!

We had these moments of running around, making sure we covered everything, worrying a little about something, but lots of down time also. We enjoyed different resturants and sights. We really enjoyed spending lots of time in our little apartment, just resting up after the hectic, crazy 2 weeks in Rwanda. Some of the best times, just relaxing and having time visiting with good friends, watching the babies change so much each day, watching "Planet Earth" that Tim and Alison brought :)

Sheri