After ten hours cramped up on the airplane, we arrived in Istanbul in the wee hours of the morning. Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport had that familiar feeling that all airports have just before dawn. There’s some activity, but also a sense that the day is just beginning and that within a few hours time the place will come alive with people, vehicles, baggage, airplanes, etc. One welcome relief was the weather. Instead of the hot humid air we had become used to in Vietnam, there was an early morning chill that felt pleasant.

As we made our way to the immigration hall, which was largely deserted at this time of the day, we discussed our strategy for getting Alyssa’s visa. We decided to try the obvious and went to the window that was designated for purchasing visas. No luck. The official said we first had to check with the immigration authorities. On to that line where we were told to go to the special line for diplomats and aircrews. Maybe a positive step?? At our third stop, we laid out all the documents we had — our passports, our Turkish diplomatic IDs, the by-now infamous letter with the red ribbon and copies of two letters in Turkish to the Istanbul Immigration Authorities and Turkish Airlines saying that we would be requesting a visa for Alyssa in Istanbul. The official carefully looked at the mound of paperwork, then collected all the documents and left. We could only stand and wait and hope for the best. But, before long, he returned to a nearby desk and I heard him say in Turkish to one of his colleagues that they had received a fax about us on the previous evening. That was encouraging, and sure enough a few minutes later, he came back to tell us that we could purchase a 15 day tourist visa for Alyssa. We just had to wait until all of the paperwork could be completed. At last, we now felt like we were home with no worries!

Soon, some of the other Immigration Officials started to wander down to us since the immigration hall was now empty except for us. One of them stepped forward and asked if he could hold Alyssa, explaining that he had a 12 day old child at home. Clearly they had heard our story and knew we were diplomats returning with a newly adopted daughter. The most senior Immigration Official offered the chair at his desk (the only one visible in the entire immiagration area) to Patsy and the others also began to play with Jessie. As a result, our wait was as enjoyable as could be expected at 4:00 AM after being in the air all night. I should mention that the time difference between Turkey and Vietnam is only four hours so jet lag was not a big factor. We were simpley exhausted from essentially having missed a night of sleep.

As part of the visa purchase process, I had to go to another section of the terminal to pay the visa fee as this was the only official cashier available at this hour. I was escorted by two Turkish Airlines employees who took me through several security checkpoints and up three floors to a cashier who was sound asleep. Fortunately, he wasn’t too upset at being awakened and gladly accepted my money and gave me the necessary receipt. Now it was back through the security checkpoints down to where everyone was still waiting. All this took another hour and at 5:00 AM we finally walked into another large deserted hall, this time where all of the luggage carousels were.

Then the search to find our luggage began. I expected to find it all piled up next to a carousel and, given the amount that we had, figured it would be easy to spot. But, I didn’t see it. After checking to make sure I was at the carousel where our flight’s luggage had been sent, I started to look around more carefully. Clearly, it wasn’t there. All this time, the rest of the gang was dragging along behind me very exhausted, approaching the meltdown stage. I stopped and asked at the lost luggage office and was given another spot to look, which also didn’t produce anything. Finally, we asked the lone customs official who was on duty if it were possible that our luggage could have been sent to Ankara. He confirmed that this is precisely what had occurred and that this was only possible when connecting on Turkish Airlines flights. So, after much trudging around the luggage carousels, we learned something new and knowing our luggage wasn’t being left behind or lost, we proceeded to the domestic terminal for the last flight in this odyssey.

After yet another long trek to the domestic terminal during which I carried Jessie a good portion of the way, we came to the domestic terminal, which by now was becoming alive with passengers. As you can imagine, Monday morning is a busy time, especially for travellers going to and from Istanbul and Ankara, much like the flow of people between New York and Washington on any Monday morning. We sat for a couple of hours and had a small breakfast, mostly to amuse Jessie and pass the time, before boarding our flight to Ankara at 8:30 AM. I could hardly believe we were on the last leg and that everything had worked out so smoothly. Soon, we’d be home with Alyssa!! Something Nancy, Jessie and I had been talking and dreaming aobut since we had arrived in Ankara so many months ago.

The flight to Ankara was uneventful and blissfully short — less than an hour. We were met getting off the airplane and whisked to the VIP terminal. It was great to see Nancy’s security detail and to know that everything was in their hands. Of course, everyone wanted to see the new baby and Alyssa became the star of the show, something that was most likely to go on for several weeks since we had told so many people of our adoption plans. Now, they would all want to see the latest addition to our family. In just a few minutes, our baggage was in the van and we were off to take Alyssa to her new home.

Everything seemed familiar and Ankara definitely felt like home as we made our way from the airport to our house. Our staff was eagerly awaiting our arrival with smiles of joy. It was great to see them and to be home. After hugs and kisses, we took Alyssa upstairs to show her her new room and crib. We were home at last and, although we were completely exhausted, we were elated to be here with our entire family of four, finally together after a long, long wait. And, as you can see from the two pictures below, Alyssa has found the same happiness that Jessie did just a few yeara ago.

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