There were about 50 other families there with us -- a huge crowd -- and quite a few were adopting for the second or third time. I expected a little pomp and circumstance but it was very simple and a bit crazy. After showing all the official papers needed, all the adoptive parents stood up and we raised our right hands, swore that all the information we gave was true to the best of our knowledge .... and then we were officially Tommy's adoptive parents! The picture above is in front of the Consulate immediately afterward.
Earlier in the day, after we had cleared up the Visa business but before our appointment, we decided to go shopping/sightseeing off the island (where most of the locals shop) to celebrate. It was really fascinating - the streets are the size of alleyways and full of people and things for sale. The first thing we saw were bags and bags - large bags, 2 to 3 feet tall, full of herbs and spices for soups and medicine.
Some of these large bags had snake skins, deer bone legs, even black ants.
The strangest thing we saw were three big washtubs of live (deadly) scorpions. They were crawling all over the tub, but Bill assured us that they weren't able to climb out. This made me feel only slightly better.
The next block over was the "pet alley" and they sold all kinds of pets - turtles, gerbils, rabbits, kittens, puppies...
...even baby chicks.
Next was "Jade alley," where all of the vendors sell different types of Jade. Usually the street is filled with vendors but most of the shops were closed because everyone is going home for the Chinese New Year.
We ended our walk (thank goodness we borrowed the stroller from the hotel) at a beautiful Buddhist temple that was hundreds of years old. People were there buying incense and praying for health and happiness in the coming year for themselves or a loved one.
The long corridor of gold Buddhas represent the 500 disciples.
We fly to Tokyo Friday morning and arrive in Chicago Saturday!
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