I kept thinking I would get this up to date and just never got it done. The internet at the guest house was out most of the time so I was not able to do it as it was happening.
We went to the Embassy on Sept. 21 and they gave us some paperwork they said they did not need and told us to return on the 22nd at 3 p.m. to pick up Sabina's Immigrant Visa. We went with Nancy Fitzpatrick (the family we met in the grocery store) and one of her sons on the 22nd. The taxi ride is long and expensive so it was nice to share expenses. We got there and were told the papers we were given the previous day needed to be returned before the visa could be issued. Nancy was told the same thing. Of course neither of us had them so we had to return to the hotel to retrieve them. Sabina translated for us with the taxi driver who had waited patiently while we went to the Embassy. Since the Embassy closed at 4 p.m., they arranged to stay open until 5 so we could have time to retrieve the paperwork. We were both angry but could do nothing but go get the papers! What could we do. Eventually, we got everything in order and were ready for our return on Sept. 23.
We had to change planes in Paris. We went to the ticket counter to get seat assignments and were told that our reservations were not confirmed. We were on standby. I had a near heart attack. After three hours of waiting we got the last two seats on the plane. When we landed, Sabina became a citizen. It was my Mom and Dad's anniversary, Sept. 23.
Since then, there have been ups and downs, but Sabina and I are a family and it is wonderful!
