Today I met with US Embassy staff including Nathan Tidwell Consul, Second Secretary. The US Embassy communicates with CARA several times a week.
After a family has received provisional approval and the Article 5 has been issued, the US Embassy can contact CARA on a family's behalf if the court case seems to be stalled.
Currently, the India adoption process varies a bit from state to state. Some states take 4 days to issue the child's passport. Other states take 30 days or more to issue the passport. The majority of courts are now issuing the adoption decree to families but the Embassy said about 20% of courts are still issuing guardianship to families.
After the meeting, Mini showed me around New Delhi. EAC families traveling to India will be greeted at the airport by Mini. He will handle the logistics of getting you to the embassy and to your child's medical examination.
In many ways New Delhi reminds me of Washington D.C.
The majority of embassies are in one area, like Embassy Row in D.C.
In D.C. there are hotels near Embassy Row. In New Delhi, the Ashok is a government owned hotel right by the embassies. The Ashok is where I'm staying and it's also where the conference is being held.
Here's a link to the hotel site: http://www.theashok.com/
From the India Gate you can see straight to the Presidential Palace and vice versa; just as you can see the Washington Monument from the U.S. Capitol.
Families from all over India visit New Delhi just like Americans travel to D.C.
Last year on spring break, my family went to Washington D.C. There were vendors on just about every street corner and near the monuments. We bought icecream from an icecream truck.
In case you're wondering, yes, there are icecream trucks at the India Gate. (But I didn't buy any icecream...took close to diner time)
Going to a resturant with a buffet is a great way to try a little of a lot of different things. I don't like hot spicy food but I'm willing to try a bite of some things. Every morning the Ashok has a breakfast buffet. This morning I had vegetable cakes that tasted just like crab cakes without the crab and pancakes that looked and tasted more like a crepe. No maple syrup so I poured honey on it.
The resturant Mini & I went to for diner was also buffet style. The fresh salads looked so good but I stayed away from those because fresh fruit and vegetable are rinsed with tap water. When ordering a lime soda, I asked for no icecubes because we all know what happens when ice melts. I'm even brushing my teeth with bottled water.
Tomorrow is the first dayof the conference. Many RIPA directors and assistant directors are attending at least one day of the conference.
I'll end this blog with two more photos:
Just like the YMCA's in the US, the New Delhi YMCA has signs for the different sports; however, I don't think any Y's in the US have "no spitting" signs. This sign was posted on the Y's CCL building which has a library and conference room.
After a family has received provisional approval and the Article 5 has been issued, the US Embassy can contact CARA on a family's behalf if the court case seems to be stalled.
Currently, the India adoption process varies a bit from state to state. Some states take 4 days to issue the child's passport. Other states take 30 days or more to issue the passport. The majority of courts are now issuing the adoption decree to families but the Embassy said about 20% of courts are still issuing guardianship to families.
After the meeting, Mini showed me around New Delhi. EAC families traveling to India will be greeted at the airport by Mini. He will handle the logistics of getting you to the embassy and to your child's medical examination.
In many ways New Delhi reminds me of Washington D.C.
The majority of embassies are in one area, like Embassy Row in D.C.
In D.C. there are hotels near Embassy Row. In New Delhi, the Ashok is a government owned hotel right by the embassies. The Ashok is where I'm staying and it's also where the conference is being held.
Here's a link to the hotel site: http://www.theashok.com/
From the India Gate you can see straight to the Presidential Palace and vice versa; just as you can see the Washington Monument from the U.S. Capitol.
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| The India Gate is located in the center of New Delhi. It was built in memory of the Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during World War I. |
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| The Presidential Palace |
Families from all over India visit New Delhi just like Americans travel to D.C.
 |
| The woman, left of me in the picture, insisted that I stand with her for the photo. So many people where taking pictures of the American with the Indians in traditional costume that I didn't know which camera to look at. |
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Last year on spring break, my family went to Washington D.C. There were vendors on just about every street corner and near the monuments. We bought icecream from an icecream truck.
In case you're wondering, yes, there are icecream trucks at the India Gate. (But I didn't buy any icecream...took close to diner time)
Going to a resturant with a buffet is a great way to try a little of a lot of different things. I don't like hot spicy food but I'm willing to try a bite of some things. Every morning the Ashok has a breakfast buffet. This morning I had vegetable cakes that tasted just like crab cakes without the crab and pancakes that looked and tasted more like a crepe. No maple syrup so I poured honey on it.
The resturant Mini & I went to for diner was also buffet style. The fresh salads looked so good but I stayed away from those because fresh fruit and vegetable are rinsed with tap water. When ordering a lime soda, I asked for no icecubes because we all know what happens when ice melts. I'm even brushing my teeth with bottled water.
Tomorrow is the first dayof the conference. Many RIPA directors and assistant directors are attending at least one day of the conference.
I'll end this blog with two more photos:
Just like the YMCA's in the US, the New Delhi YMCA has signs for the different sports; however, I don't think any Y's in the US have "no spitting" signs. This sign was posted on the Y's CCL building which has a library and conference room.
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