The Monkeywalk Global Network

Before You Travel To China…

Here are a few things you can do before you travel to China that will help make your trip more comfortable and memorable.

Third seat If you can afford to do so, your life will be much easier if you purchase a third seat for the return flight(s). Even if your new baby cannot sit up and use the seat herself, you will enjoy the extra space that the third seat provides. Our return flights were completely full on both return trips, and we were very thankful for the extra space.

Send a camera to the orphanage As soon as you get your referral, send a single-use camera with flash to the orphanage along with a letter identifying your baby. Ask them very politely if they would use the camera to photograph your baby and her caregivers. There’s a chance that they won’t and you’ll be out one camera and postage, but generally the orphanage personnel will return the camera to you on gotcha day. When you get the film developed, you’ll find photos that you could not have gotten otherwise.