This was our last full day in Delhi. We can't wait to get home and start getting Nathaniel used to his new home. We had a nice late start to the morning where Nathaniel enjoyed his new favorite pastime in the hotel...walking up and down the hallway.
Once he got his morning walk completed, Rajeev took us for some shopping. He took us to a great one-stop shopping emporium and I probably could have spent all day there! I was able to pick up some traditional clothing for my nieces and nephew along with some gifts for family. I walked out with a small dent on the credit card, but it could have been a lot worse if I gave in to some of the beautiful furniture. Once shopping was complete, we headed back to the hotel while our fellow traveling family went to the embassy to check on their visa (which they were successfully granted!).
Our afternoon was spent with Nathaniel taking a long nap since our flight was at 1:45am the next morning. We ended the evening with a wonderful dinner from Rajeev at his hotel and then were taken to the airport. While we were desperate to come home, we were also very sad to say goodbye to Rajeev. Many families that traveled before told us how amazing this man was, but we could not truly understand until we had the privilege of meeting him. These adoptions and the children are his life. But he would have it no other way. Nathaniel will always be told of Rajeev and how he helped us become a family. Another side mention should be said about Rajeev's driver. We could not communicate with him, but he transported us everywhere! He tried to decline our gift of appreciation when we parted ways, but we would have it no other way.
After saying our goodbyes, we walked into Delhi airport on our own. Air India had already lost one of our bags on our way here, now they were telling me they had ignored our confirmed seats and separated us. Those of you that really know me, know that type of information does not fly with me. After a few angry words of how unacceptable this was, I was spoken to by the supervisor and security was called. In the end, the three of us were together in our first class seats. While the customer service off the plane is pitiful, the in-flight service on Air India was top notch (I can only speak for first class, I hear it cannot be said for economy). We just wanted a relaxing flight for our new little guy....for all 16 hours of flight!
He slept for the first third of the flight which made the rest of the flight challenging because he constantly needs to move. We brought coloring books, cars, books, another stuffed animal and a good mix of dry food items, movies in the iPad, but nothing held his interest for long. Yet, we made it (without any fellow passenger complaining) and landed in Chicago. We made our way to customs to hand over the sealed package and be cleared to enter the states with Nathaniel. It was the first (and hopefully the last) time we were pulled to the immigration office. A very nice official reviewed our documents and stamped our clearance. I still don't know what was in that package. We made our way to a different terminal and boarded our flight. Nathaniel was crying and we were greeted with an angry man and his snide comments just as we sat down. I held my tongue this time and was ready to argue how Nathaniel had his own paid seat, but didn't need to since he was such a good boy and stopped crying right before take off and slept for the flight. Does he look comfortable or what?
Check out daddy and Nathaniel looking at the mountains of Lake Tahoe...
While we learned United lost both pieces of luggage we checked in (what is with this trip?!), we were greeted by Nathaniel's Nani (grandma), aunt and cousin all eager to meet him. I think it was love at first sight! We are so glad to be home!
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