The day started off slow and dreary. We stayed around the apartment this morning, put the kids down for early naps, and headed to the Schinnerers apartment at about 2. Jim had called this morning to tell us that MJ and Fabiola (translator/attorney) were coming to their apartment at 2 to talk to them about their case. They invited us over to talk to them as well in case we had questions, which of course we do. Jim and Robin played it off like we just showed up to see them because they didn't really know what MJ needed to talk to them about and she hadn't mentioned us needing to be there.
When we got into the apartment, MJ was quite happy to see us and said that we ought to praise the Lord as he had sent us to her at the right time. (No, actually that was Jim...) She said that she intended to go to the court house after her talk with Robin and Jim and wanted Flor and I to come to talk to the Judge to see if we can get into court on Friday. I was confused...if she wanted us to go to court with her, why hadn't she simply called us to tell us so? Had we not shown up, what would have happened then? I hope we continue to be "directed" to her at the right time when things need to happen!
Anyway, Devin, Hallie, and Jace walked back to our apartment to get copies of our passports for MJ as we will need a Power of Attorney for Devin since he won't be here to finish the process with me. Meanwhile, Flor, MJ, and I headed to the courthouse. MJ had an appointment to talk to the Judge at 3 pm but in true Ecuador fashion, we rolled in at 4. The judge hadn't waited for us (surprise, surprise). MJ directed Flor and I into a room with white piece of paper taped to the door with the word "JUEZA" typed on it. She stood around outside the door while Flor and I sat inside. I felt a little foolish as I had no idea whose office I was sitting in and MJ was roaming around outside. The office had two desks shoved into it, each with mounds of disheveled papers on them. The chairs were rickety, the walls wood paneled. Nothing in the entire building gave off the impression of being a court house.
Flor and I sat there for probably 20 minutes with MJ occasionally popping her head in to smile and nod at me while holding up a few fingers to indicate "just a few more minutes." Finally, a mystery door on the opposite wood-paneled wall opened and two ladies stepped in. One immediately sat down behind one of the desks and started typing away, meanwhile casting me occasional glances. Surely it must have been weird for her to find a strange person and a child sitting in her office with no explanation as to why. I had no idea who she was and didn't know how to explain why we were there, so I just sat there looking dumb. Finally, MJ noticed that the woman had come in and came rushing into the room. She went right to town explaining our situation and why we needed a court date on Friday. The woman stopped her and turned to me to ask some questions but MJ just plugged right on, answering all the questions for me before I could even open my mouth.
The woman seemed very un-interested in our situation, but eventually did say she would look in to having us come in on Friday. She then got up, left the room for about 10 minutes, and then returned to say that we could come in on Friday at 2 pm. I was elated with this news since it seemed that earlier in the conversation the woman had said our case would be seen the next Friday. THE NEXT FRIDAY? ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? I am not sure why MJ has told us all this time it would be this week when we were apparently on the schedule for next week, but I guess I can't blame her too much as she has the begging act down and got us in.
As we were leaving, I asked MJ about the Judge. She turned to me and laughed, telling me that WAS the Judge that we were sitting before. Well, I guess I should have known by the "Jueza" on the door, but in my defense, MJ had told me that Judge 6 is a man and that was no man. Plus the woman leaving for 10 minutes gave me the impression that she was going to discuss with the judge whether or not he had time for us. Why she really left, I don't know. So we have met Judge 6, who will be the one to finally help us complete the court portion of this adoption.
The whole court experience today was a rather interesting and insightful look into how things are run here.
On the taxi ride back to the Schinnerer's apartment, MJ gave me some lessons on how to beg the Judge to hurry up with our paperwork after the finalization. The lesson included holding my hands together as if in prayer, puppy eyes, and pouty lips, all while saying "por favor....por faaaaaavor.." Sounds all too familiar as we get this from people selling things on the street all the time. Not sure I will be performing this for the Judge, but maybe I will be desperate enough by then. Only time will tell. I'll keep you posted.
We went to 2x1 pizza day at Papa Johns with the Schinnerers and then headed home to get the kids to bed. Just our luck, tonight is the first soccer game of the season!! You should see the scene outside our window. It is a MAD HOUSE. There is no other way to describe it. Remember, we live one block above the stadium, so we have a great view of everything. Never mind parking spots, there are cars parked all skiwampus everywhere on the streets. Awesome. Too bad there is so much fog and it is dark, because we can't get any good pictures. I think we will be up late tonight!
Here are a few pictures for the day.
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| On the way to pizza, Hallie insisted upon having her own umbrella. Pablo was kind enough to let her take over his. What a gem. |
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| While moving two tables together at Papa John's, I grabbed on chair and the top immediately fell off and then right after, Jim grabbed the next one and the seat part fell right off. Quality. We had to get a picture of that. |
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| On our way home from dinner, we noticed the crowds gathering at the stadium. We also saw a man who was inside at the top of one of the bleachers lowering a rope down to his buddies to pull them up from the outside to get into the game. Awesome. There is a unique Ecuador item for you right there! |
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| This is the view outside our window a while ago. It's much worse now. The cars are parked all over, such that there is not even a driving path left. Good thing we are not going anywhere... |
5 comments:
YAY for the court date!!!
I'm so happy to hear you finally have a court date and that it is this week!!
I am rolling on the floor.laughing. Literally. one day MJB picked us up and I dont remember if we were told what we were doing. But we get to the bldg where the childrens courts were, she did a similar act with me, I didnt have to work hard to cry, because I was so so sick and terrified we werent going to EVER get home. Paul had left after five weeks and we had been there another two weeks with nothing happening. She did it again when we went to the MOJ office? She had actually bought gifts that we handed to Grace to GIVE to the woman and I was to keep up the show to get her to sign needed papers. Of course all the while MJB talking 100mph to said woman. (it was a celebration for the 10 year anniversary of said organization) She can work it. Congrats!
I was just reading the rest of your tale and saw where you live! That is where I was almost hit by a bus. Really. I kid you not. As I was running across the street I stepped on the brake on one of the wheels. The stroller would.not.roll. I couldnt figure out why and kept trying in the middle of a busy street and finally just turned the stroller around backwards to just pull behind me because I saw a bus careening around the corner and headed toward us at breakneck speed. I stood on the sidewalk sobbing as a woman who mustve watched the whole thing happen approached me and undid the brake. I really almost passed out right there. Ecuador.
yay for progress..and if the lady says beg..beg! Do as the romans or the equadorians in this case. Do whatever you have to do to get out of there soon! Good luck!!
Oh and hope the quality of the pizza was better than the chairs.
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