Hello Again! From Guangzhou

For my faithful blog-readers (family and friends), I am sorry for not blogging the last couple of days. We left Beijing and are now in Guangzhou--near Hong Kong. Our hotel does not offer free internet access like in Beijing, so we had to figure out how much it would cost. We were able to purchase some online time for the last 2 days of our trip.

We arrived in Guangzhou late Friday night. We got up early Saturday morning to get Levi's Visa picture taken and to visit the doctor for his required medical checkup that is sent to the American Consulate. He did very well at the medical clinic--he only fussed once when he was scared. You would not believe the amount of people in the clinic. It was a mad house! We tried not to breathe in any sick germs! UGH!! Lots of hand sanitizer was used after that experience! :)

Guangzhou is really a very nice city--at least the part we are in surrounding the hotel. The hotel is about 45 minutes from the airport--so we saw the not-so-nice parts of the city at nighttime as well. When leaving the airport, this grungy looking Chinese man kept rubbing Levi's head. It drove me crazy, so of course, I had to bathe him as soon as we checked into our room. Rich was laughing at me. I have been pretty calm about the "germ thing" this whole trip, but that really got to me. The airport just seemed dirty, too. ha! The man told our guide that he didn't understand why we came all the way to China to adopt when there are children in America. I don't know what our guide told him--we were too tired for a lengthy discussion. The weather here is just like Texas--hot and humid! This is a big change for us, since we just left Beijing where it was snowing, We are at a 5-star hotel that is very fancy. Right outside the hotel doors are tons of little shops geared for the tourist and adoption crowd. All American families who adopt from China must go through this city to get their child's visa at the American Consulate. Because of this and the historical western influence, many people speak English here quite well. The architecture is totally different here than it was in Beijing. The buildings look more English. It reminds me of being in the deep south--like Georgia or one of the Carolinas. The streets are lined with very old southern style buildings and lots of beautiful trees. There is also a playground with a slide and see-saw that is within walking distance from the hotel. There was nowhere to take Levi to play in Beijing--so this is definitely a plus! The hotel also has an indoor playroom as well. They definitely cater to the children and their families here!

It is nice to be surrounded by American families again, since we were the only family in Beijing from our adoption agency. When we eat our breakfast buffet in the morning, we get to sit all around families who are here for the same reason. It is also nice to not be started at by the Chinese people like we were in Beijing. The people here are more accustomed to seeing American couples with Chinese children. All in all, it has been a pleasurable experience. We are just too tired and homesick to really enjoy it as much as we could. :) We have been in China now for 16 days and have 3 to go--including that very very long flight home with a 4-year old who has ants in his pants! ha! :) Speaking of flying, on the 3-hour flight from Beijing to Guangzhou, Levi did GREAT! He was so well-behaved and so excited to be in an airplane. We played and ate and listened to music. We were all out of activities to entertain him by the end of 3 hours, so I am not sure how we will manage a 12 hour flight from Beijing to San Francisco and then another 3-4 hours to Dallas. UGH!! Please keep us in your prayers. It will be hard on all of us to be on the plane that long especially since we are so ready to be home. Rich and I can't wait to give Theo and Ruthie a big hug and kiss and just hold them. We also can't wait for them to meet their new brother. Hopefully, the reunion will go well.

Today (Sunday), we visited an old temple that has been converted into a folk art museum. We got to see artists finger painting and carving and playing musical instruments. It was really fun! One man showed Levi how to play an instrument they call a Calabash Bamboo Flute, which makes beautiful Chinese-sounding tones. We also saw exquisite embroidery work and jade carvings. The Chinese people can carve elaborate designs into just about anything--including bones, small olive nuts, jade, wood, tile and more. We enjoyed talking to the artists and seeing their amazing talents. After the folk art museum, we toured a porcelain and jade factory. This was neat too, we were just not too "in-to" this since we are ready to be home and Xiaolei was ready to eat lunch and take a nap!

We have enjoyed visiting with other adoptive families while here. We also are enjoying eating at a local restaurant called Lucy's. At this eatery, they serve American food as well as Chinese food. So, we can have the best of both worlds!! :)

On Monday, we will be packing and getting ready to head back to the U.S. On Tuesday, we take the oath with Levi at the American Consulate offices and get his visa. We already got his passport in Beijing. Then, late Tuesday night, we fly to Beijing spend one night and get up early Wednesday morning and fly out to San Fransisco. We have about a hour lay-over there and then finally on to Dallas. We should be home in the late evening on Wednesday--American time. It will feel like Thursday--China time to us.

That is all for now. :)