We finally gathered in the lobby to go to the Civil Affairs office. It all seemed so surreal. Two of the families have been waiting as long as I have - six years. After that long of a wait, what's a few more minutes?
On to the bus, out of the hotel driveway, and right across the bumper of a taxi. Crunch! No one was hurt but the drivers got out and argued and we caused a big traffic jam. Remember what I said about a few minutes? Ha!
After a half an hour, and with much worry that the Civil Affairs orifice would close before we arrived, we climbed out of the bus. We dodged traffic back into the hotel and waited for them to bring the children to us.
Every time a van pulled up we strained to look - nope, not our kids. Another van arrived and out came to Westerners - nope not our kids, so we turned away. But when we looked again, there were more Chinese persons in the lobby and they had children with them! Our children!
There were three little girls, two walking and one being held, with her head turned. I was worried I wouldn't recognize her, but then the littlest one turned her head around and it was her, it was BB! She looked just the same! I said, to no one, "she's real". It was major confusion and I eventually walked over and the nannies handed her to me. She was a little reluctant, but no tears. She was very quiet. Someone was taking pictures; I was too stunned.
