Postscript

And so ends the first chapter of my long journey. The way that Camille has settled in to life at Northcote has been extraordinary. After all the advice and warnings that I was given about attachment, I can only conclude that my experience was totally positive on all accounts. Camille clings to me like a baby koala bear, yet is quite happy to be held and interact with others. She laughs and dances to music, and loves to get us on the floor to play with us. As the orphanage had described her as quiet, this was the last thing I expected.

The Chinese government has just changed the rules regarding adoption. Singles will no longer be eligible to adopt. I feel as though I have had just a tiny window of opportunity and through it arrived Camille. How lucky and blessed I have been.

At home with Camille

A few favourite family shots of Camille

My Time Line

Many people have asked me how long it took for me to work my way though the bureaucratic maze in my quest to adopt from China. As a single I had to wait so long that I tried not to think about it. However, looking back now I realise that it took me close to 4 years. This was about 2 years longer than my education class (as I was a single applicant)

Over this period the waiting period increased from 6 months to ~18 months. Now this wait is anticipated to be closer to two years. It seems such a long time, but don’t let this deter anyone contemplating adoption. After all time passes anyway.

1. Information Night March 2003
2. Initial Application May 2003
3. Education Classes October 2003
4. Life Story & Country Project October 2003
5. Social Work Visits November to December 2003
6. Approval to adopt 1st March 2004
7. Very long wait (as a single)
8. File sent to China (LID) 19th August 2005
9. Allocation 6th November 2006
10. Notice to Travel NTT 8th December 2006
11. Depart Australia 22nd December 2006
12. I finally met my angel Camille 25th December 2006
13. Return to Australia 12th January 2007

Arriving home

Arriving Home

The flight from Shanghai was ten hours. Fortunately we had a night flight and Camille slept all night (what an angel!!). We arrived in Sydney about 10 am and had to clear customs and then connect for our 12 o’clock flight to Melbourne.

Customs in Sydney was a total nightmare. After waiting some time in long, chaotic cues it soon became apparent that we were cutting it very fine indeed. By the time we arrived at the domestic check in we only had about 20 minutes before our flight boarded (and we had to catch a bus connecting the international and domestic terminals!)

Unfortunately Jo and I went to a counter where woman totally refused to put our luggage on the flight. The deadline had passed and that was it. The next flight was 3 hours later. 3 o’clock! Feeling slightly hysterical I pleaded that there would be an airport full of family waiting to meet us. No way, she would not budge.

To make matters worse, on the bus to the domestic terminal, I discovered that the two other couples in our group (who had gone up to the counter simultaneously) had been allowed to place their luggage on the 12 o’clock flight. Needless to say I was totally beside myself. Jo tried to console me and told me to try to let it go and be a little Zen about it. Good in theory not so easy in practice……

But then I realised that as my luggage was already going on the later flight, there was absolutely nothing I could do. So just as Jo had suggested I did let it go. Instead we enjoyed an excellent pasta, changed our clothes and Camille had a little sleep. Feeling much more calm and relaxed, we caught the plane three hours later.

Upon our touchdown in Melbourne, the pilot made a special announcement on the plane welcoming Vicki and Camille home (how did he know?). As we left the plane there was our

welcoming party complete with banners. Finally we were home!

Zhouzhuang: The Venice of China

Zhouzhuang: The Venice of China

I had cut out an article in The Australian in mid 2006 about Zhouzhuang. Listed on the World Heritage sites by UNESCO, Zhouzhauang is famous for it’s beautiful canals. Even though it was not included in our official tour, I was determined to get there, even if Jo Camille and myself went on a tour ourselves. Fortunately, the rest of our group were also interested, so we hired a bus and set out for (yet another) day trip. The photos speak for themselves. A fantastic day.

Shanghai Chic

I read somewhere that Shanghai was the New York of Asia. However, I was still surprised by just how modern Shanghai actually was. Some of the architecture was stunning. The major shopping street Nanjking Road reminded me of Tokyo and department stores were brimming with expensive clothes. Was this really a city in a communist country? Rampant capitalism was everywhere! What would Chairman Mao have thought? I must check my little red book to find out.

Given that the temperature at night was about zero, we all rugged up as we took to the streets to take in the bright lights. Camille even consented to wearing a hat and gloves as we braved the cold nights. I decided to join all the other Shanghaiese and purchased a cosy down jacket. (But with global warming will I ever wear it again in Melbourne? I doubt it!)