We started the morning with a fun stroll through town with a mom who is here adopting her seventh daughter. We had become friends on-line over the past few months as we waited for approvals to come, and finally got to meet in person here in Guangzhou. We spent some time shopping and talking in the morning. She has been here so many times before, she knew the good shops and many of the shopkeepers remembered her from previous trips. The slow economy and the decrease in foreign adoptions have hurt the shopkeepers here quite a bit. They are so friendly and sweet, and their prices are a fraction of what we would pay at home. I've picked up some great souvenirs and gifts, as well as a few special items to put aside for Marley to have when she is older.
After lunch and a quick nap, we met up with the other families from our agency to visit the Six Banyan Temple. It was cool with pretty buildings, gigantic Buddhas, peaceful-looking monks, and many worshippers lighting incense and praying.
We followed up the Temple visit with a trip to 'Walking Street' which is basically a humongous pedestrian mall with open air markets, malls, and of course, KFC, McD's and Papa John's. The area was very commercial and so crowded. I asked our guide, Nikki, if it is always this crowded and she said, "No, on the weekends you do not walk in the street, you push." I can't imagine. It was like being in a mini Times Square of sorts. We visited the pearl market where I was able to find two nice pairs of earrings for Marley. One will be for when she is younger, the other will be a gift later on, maybe for her 16th birthday or for her wedding day. We visited a tea shop and had some really good tea. I bought some to bring home for Dave's morning cup.
Dave, make sure you read this part to the boys, as I know they will be so strangely proud---I chowed down on a skewer of octopus tentacles at Walking Street!! I kept looking at them and thinking they looked kind of tasty. Then I got close enough to take some photos for the boys. But, knowing them (and especially Keller), I knew I had to go the distance. I paid 4 yuan (less than $1) for a stick and waited while they fried it. It was actually really tasty! It (or should I be saying "they") was coated in a flavorful seasoning, and despite being a bit chewy, I really enjoyed it. One of the families we are traveling with decided to try it and they liked it, too.
We had dinner at Lucy's tonight, which is popular restaurant that serves western food. I had a cheeseburger and fries (and a potent Long Island Iced Tea!). Marley had some egg & noodle soup, although she also enjoyed a few fries. And then we finished the night with a shopping trip to one of the best-priced shops in town. The owner said that her business has been hurting and she wants to close down for a few weeks to go home until after Chinese New Year. She is hoping more tourists and adoptive families will come to the area after the holiday week, which is coming up at the end of January. Unfortunately, Marley took a big backward dive onto the hard floor in the shop, so that put an abrupt end to the night out for us. She was walking around making noise with her squeaky shoes, and then all of a sudden there was a loud thud followed by a scream. She doesn't quite have the reflexes to put her hands down to stop herself once she starts falling. I was able to pick her up right away and she let me hold her close to comfort her, but she really screamed for quite awhile. Once we got outside into the fresh air, she was fine, but I did give her some Motrin before bed--imagining the headache I would have if I fell all the way over backwards onto a tile floor. Her balance has come such a long way in the short time she has been with me, but we really have to work on those landings!
Tomorrow is our last day in China, and then we leave the hotel at 5:30am on Friday to start our rather long and daunting journey home. Three flights totaling over 18 hours of air time, if I'm remember correctly. Yikes. Our group is going to visit another temple/academy in the morning, and then will meet back up at 2:30 to take our "red couch photo" which is a tradition among adoptive families. Then we'll head to the American Consulate to get our children's visas and have our oath ceremony. My understanding is that we are not allowed to take any photos at the oath ceremony, which is disappointing considering the symbolism of the occasion.
I'm happy to be heading home to see Dave and the boys on Friday. I have missed them all so much and am anxious to see how we all mesh as a family of five. But it is also a bit sad to be taking Marley away from her home country, knowing it may be a long time before we return again to visit. I have tried to take as many pictures as I can, and to collect small souvenirs for her to have over the years. It all seems trivial compared to what she is losing--her homeland, her language, all that is familiar and comfortable. I only hope we can always remember to honor and respect China for what has been given to us in our beautiful daughter.
Here are some random photos from the day. . .
Our swanky hotel even has a waterfall with koi swimming in a huge pond
We have been seeing couples dressed like this the past few days. I think they might be doing a fashion catalog or something. Really beautiful!
The ubiquitous rusty bike--everyone's got one and they all look like they're about to rattle to pieces
These are all from Six Banyan Temple
Some shots of Walking Street. The crowd was huge, especially considering it was a Wednesday afternoon!
Having tea at the tea shop
Here is Marley taking after her Great Grandma Dot--hiking the pants up above the knees every time she sits down!
And finally. . . tentacles on a stick!
Sweet Marley ready for bed after a long day!
1 comment:
Wow! You should be proud! Zachary tried the jellyfish at the Cantonese restaurant there on the island. He thought he was very cool but no one else wanted to taste the cold, slimy stuff! Enjoy yourself!
Stephenie
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