Saturday in Hong Kong

Well, other than waking up at 5:30 this morning, I think we did enough go-go-going to earn our exhaustion.

This morning we had breakfast in our hotel.  Members of a Japanese band and their groupies were there (OK, we don‘t really know if they were in a band, but Hong Kong is so fashion forward that they appeared to be famous.)  There were a lot of other Japanese tourists… and then there was us.  “Us” consisted of about 14 couples from all across America, and we were all more than easy to spot.  It became pretty obvious that if we saw an American couple, they must be with our adoption group.  And so they all were.

After eating and schmoozing a little, we all got on a bus and started touring Hong Kong with our guide, Matthew.  We first went to Victoria Peak, where we enjoyed beautiful but very chilly, on-high views of all of Hong Kong and its surrounding waters.

We also toured Aberdeen fishing village, where we rode in a Sampan boat for an up-close tour of the local fishermen’s house boats and the South side of Hong Kong Island.

Then it was back on the bus, and then off again at a fancy jewelry factory and store where very few of us actually bought anything.  However, the jewelry factory was not a total loss.  I accidentally left my glasses in the bus, and therefore had my sunglasses on, and Ben, one of the salesmen said to me, “I know where you’re from!”  I said, “Huh?” and he said “I know where you’re from--it’s CANADA, right?  He seemed rather surprised  to find out I was from California, and then he said he had thought I was Celine Dion.  He was disappointed, but probably not as disappointed as when I didn’t buy any fancy jewelry.

One last stop on our tour was Stanley Market--an outdoor marketplace with a gazillion stalls filled to the brim with all the stuff you never knew you needed.  I bought a genuine and 100% pashmina scarf, which for 7 dollars I’m assuming wasn’t so genuine or so 100%, but hey--it will keep my neck warm in Chongqing!

From shopping, we went to eating.  As a group. We had lunch at a Chinese Dim Sum restaurant.  We sat with all of the couples who are going to the same region of China as we are, and it was nice to talk to everyone whom we will be with for the next 2 weeks.  There are three of us who were matched with babies from the same orphanage.

Our afternoon was spent at the second fitting for Ted’s suit (which is a beautiful suit), walking around the shopping area, people-watching on the plaza  by our  hotel, and then dinner--Thai food.  Then we were off to see this “amazing laser light show” that started at 8 p.m.  Music came from everywhere, and then the skyscrapers across the harbor began to light up.  It wasn’t as exciting as we had hoped, so we decided to go check out an interesting looking Asian foods store, where we were tempted to put one of everything into a bag to bring home to Miss Meredith.

We’ll do a bit more sight-seeing in Hong Kong tomorrow--maybe a museum and maybe a bit more shopping.  Then in the afternoon we head to the airport to fly to Chongqing, where on Monday we will meet our Orli!

I think it is getting less surreal by the day.

Friday in Hong Kong

First, Melatonin is the BEST!  We slept (on-and-off) the entire night, but ended up getting enough sleep that we made it through the whole day without a nap.  By tomorrow, we should be fully acclimated to our new time zone.

We spent the day walking all over Kowloon--at the southern tip of Hong Kong.  The strange thing is that it really doesn’t feel all that much like we are in a foreign country.  Our thought is that we’ve had so many trips to China Towns in Los Angeles and  San Francisco that it kinda feels the same.

We started the day off with an adventurous restaurant where we were the only gringos.  We asked if they served breakfast, and they said yes.  But when we saw what everyone else was eating for breakfast we noticed it wasn’t exactly our idea of a first meal of the day--bowls of noodles with lots of interesting looking meats and seafoods, and all sorts of other unidentifiable platefuls.  We did find some less scary items.

Then we were off to explore.  We stopped along the route at Sam the Tailors where Ted was fitted for a custom suit.

Then we took the Metro to another area of Kowloon to see the Goldfish Markets.  Goldfish are considered lucky in Hong Kong.  Bags and tanks, and more bags and tanks of goldfish  fill the stores several blocks long.  This isn’t to mention the turtles, lizards and bunnies (all for pets, not for consumption).  In light of our blog name, we found it only fitting to visit the Goldfish Row.

Lunch was in a Cantonese locals’ restaurant.  It was delicious, and we recognized at least everything on our own plates, even if our neighbors’ choices seemed a little less familiar.

We visited a department store that had floors for sculpture, paintings, shmatas, calligraphy, and tea!  No purchases, but interesting to see.

A brief moment back at the hotel allowed us to recharge, and then we were off once again.  Ted had his first fitting for his suit.  Then we were haggled off the street to go to eat dinner at an Indian restaurant, which was pretty good.

Lots of people line the streets and sidewalks, and every few seconds someone is offering a flyer for 50% off something, or a deal on something else.  Jan, you will be so happy to hear that I have not yet purchased the “copy” Uggs that I saw--they were only like $40!!!  But they did have the Uggs label!  We were offered “copy” watches and handbags too.

OK, that was our day today.  Oh yeah--we saw a lot of other American-looking couples  (we’re thinking they are with our agency) checking into the hotel tonight.  We’ll meet them in the lobby tomorrow morning and we all go together on several tours.

That’s all the news for tonight.

Shabbat Shalom!

We arrived!

Thursday night, 9:30 p.m. (5:30 a.m. in California)
We arrived in Hong Kong this evening, safe and sound. Would you believe that outside our hotel window is an enormous Christmas display! Who knew!

The flights were long, but Cathay Pacific felt like our own private jet (thanks for spoiling us Steve).







We’re looking forward to exploring on our own tomorrow before the rest of our group arrives.


Time to shower and try to sleep so we can adjust to our new time zone.
T&C

We're On Our Way!

It's a bit hard for us to believe, but we are finally getting ready to go.  Both visas are in hand, the suitcases are open (but of course still empty), and we're checking off items on our packing list. We leave next week and our itinerary looks something like this:

11/18         
Leave the U.S. for Hong Kong.

11/19          
Arrive in Hong Kong and enjoy exploring Hong Kong on our own.

11/20          
Meet our group of four other families and tour Hong Kong.

11/22          
Fly from Hong Kong to Chongqing.
Fill out the adoption registration forms that will be needed the next day.

11/23
In the afternoon, walk to the registration office to receive Orli!!!

11/24
Rest and relax in the morning.    
At 14:00 walk to the registration office to complete Adoption Registration and Notarization.

11/25          
At 9:30 optional half-day city tour to the Chongqing Zoo to see the panda.
Waiting for Orli’s adoption paperwork to be processed.

11/26
At 9:30 optional half-day tour to the old town – CiQiKou.

11/27          
Receive Orli’s adoption registration certificate and notary paperwork. 

Rest and start packing.
Receive Orli’s passport this afternoon. 
Group picture in the hotel lobby at 16:00.

11/28          
Fly from Chongqing to Guangzhou.

           

11/29          
Rest day. Optional tours in Guangzhou.

11/30          
Orli’s visa physical and visa photo taken today.

Meeting today to prepare paperwork for consulate appointment.

12/1            
U.S. Consulate appointment and our 18^th anniversary!

           

12/2
Go to the U.S. Consulate to take the oath in the afternoon.

           

12/3            
Go to the U.S. Consulate to receive Orli’s visa packet

12/4            
Bring Orli home.

12/5            
Let the enormity of this four year journey really hit us.


xo - c&t

And the name is. . .

Orli Jia-Mei Riter

This morning we sent a letter which is being translated and brought to Orli Jiamei. The following is an excerpt:

We still must travel the world to meet you, and yet as we look at your picture and stare into your eyes, we already know you. You are our hopes and prayers of a decade. You are the light that has for so long been just a flicker; sometimes just beyond our grasp but most often as far as a distant star. We’re nervous and scared, we’re anxious, excited, and bursting with love for you and the light you will bring to our world.

We are honoring those who have cared for you for almost a year by calling you JiaMei. You will forever be connected with the land of your birth and the orphanage that nurtured you and protected you. We are also giving you the name Riter, our family name that ties you to generations of the Riter family, and symbolically as well to families Hirsch, Rubin, and Herman. This now is your family too. Finally, we give you the first name Orli. In Hebrew, this name means “my light”. You are our light.

New Photos!

These are pictures that were taken on 7-15-09 when she was 5 months old.  We hope to have updated photos some time next week.  xo-c and t

Meet Our Daughter!

After a four year gestation, we are so happy to announce the arrival into our lives of our daughter!

She was born on February 11, 2009, and is 8 months old.

She is from Chongqing City, which is in Southwest China.

We're working on a name.  Four years apparently wasn't enough time to figure that out.  :)

We expect to be traveling in 5-6 weeks, and promise to keep you updated as we get more information!  Please check back soon--we will post more information tomorrow when we receive her file!

Thank you to everyone for supporting us on this journey!!!

xoxo-c and t