After a while, we left our room in search of "the play-room" to spice things up a little. We made the trek across the lobby to the other tower of the hotel, getting to know a newly adoptive couple also in search of the playroom along the way. The playroom was too "young" and small for Levi. But we enjoyed talking with the couple from Maryland.
We made our way back down to the lobby, to discover that a full-scale party was under way. A celebration of 30 years of the Garden Hotel. A huge model of the Garden Hotel under construction (which we'd seen them building all day) dominated the room. A live band played off to one-side. The lights were dimmed. Women, sharply dressed, stood positioned throughout the lobby balancing trays of wine, soda and mixed drinks on their hands. Waiters walked around with hors d'oeuvres. Were we hopelessly out of place in our shorts and flip-flops? Or, did we stumble into the right place at the right time?
We stopped to ask one of the smartly dressed employees balancing three glasses on her tray. She offered me a glass of red wine. I asked what was in another glass. (Sprite). I asked about the cost. I was informed there was no charge. I started to reach for the glass, as did Joe, she moved the tray and "Uh oh!" Suddenly there was red wine all over her smart white uniform and all over the floor. Joe and I don't quite know what happened. Neither of us ever touched a glass. But we felt responsible for embarrassing her and apologized profusely while she gamely tried to soldier on.
Mortified and bewildered, we turned, only to be offered a "Garden Martini." Wanting to get away from the scene of disaster as swiftly as possible, we hurried on our way, only to find the entire booking counter covered smartly with copious glasses of wine, martinis and sodas. This was no bar. And there were still no prices. I asked a gentleman behind the counter if these were complementary. Alas, the young ladies were ill-trained, failing to note that we were not invitation carrying, (and now we saw it!) tuxedo-wearing special guests.
At this point, we made an even more hasty exit from the scene in search of dinner.
8.29.2015
The First Zerbert
After a great lunch at an Irish Pub with new adoptive-family friends.....We went shopping and then returned to the hotel to let Levi come out of his "public demeanor" and smile and laugh a little. Sure enough, he was ready to go. And so were we. I threw him over my shoulder and held him by his ankles up-side down. We tickled him. We laughed. We said "boo" when he looked at us with one foot heaved up on the edge of the desk seeing if we'd mind if he climbed all the way.
And I zerberted him. And it was great. His skin was soft and kissable and he belly laughed like you'd hope he would. We were too busy having fun to take pictures or record anything. And that's ok.
And I zerberted him. And it was great. His skin was soft and kissable and he belly laughed like you'd hope he would. We were too busy having fun to take pictures or record anything. And that's ok.
Western Food
The Garden Hotel has shifted in three years to having more sensitivity to Westerners. There's even a guy named "Zach" in the lobby who comes to greet the white people while they check in and tell them he's here to help. Oh. And he's from California.
The breakfast buffet also had predominantly "Western" offerings. There were still some typical Chinese Cabbage or noodles, or dumplings, but there's a definite shift.
And, I, for one, don't like it. Zach is a nice guy. He's doing a nice job. I don't blame him, personally. And the food is good. I just prefer to remain in China while I'm, you know....still in China.
I guess I'm weird that way.
Looking at "Trip Adviser" reviews of our first two hotels made me realize I MUST be in the minority. "I came all the way to Sichuan, China and am appalled that no one here speaks any decent English." or "The room was fine, but the breakfast had very few western selections and the omelet station was lacking." Really?
Dear Trip Adviser review people: Please note: YOU TRAVELED TO CHINA. China. You know. That big country with lots and lots of people, a vast history, a unique culture, abounding in mystery, and yes. They eat different food and speak a very different language. If you want "China-light" go to China Town in London. Or New York. Or Boston. Or wherever you are from. I do not really understand why you expended so much effort and expense to get here only to wish it wasn't really here after-all.
I must really be in the minority, because all the guides seem to delight in pointing out the closest KFC, or MACdonalds. Thank you. I usually try to avoid those places back home. I REALLY don't want to eat them here. I WANT the pig nose, thank you very much.
Yes. We did eat KFC on the Bullet Train. It was (as is the case with most fast-food decisions) one of expedience. We did have to eat something. There was KFC. Or there was a pre-packaged noodle cup to which you'd add hot water. I still haven't really been able to eat one of those since the Mini Cup of Wrath Episode from the trip for Mia in 2008. So we ate the KFC. But it just felt wrong.
Again, especially among adoptive families, I know I must be an anomaly. Especially by the time people come to Guangzhou, many are just about done. D.O.N.E. done. And I get it. This time around, I get it more than ever. But I still would rather struggle to communicate and eat the local food.
Even if I did have fish and chips and an IPA for lunch today. :-)
The breakfast buffet also had predominantly "Western" offerings. There were still some typical Chinese Cabbage or noodles, or dumplings, but there's a definite shift.
And, I, for one, don't like it. Zach is a nice guy. He's doing a nice job. I don't blame him, personally. And the food is good. I just prefer to remain in China while I'm, you know....still in China.
I guess I'm weird that way.
Looking at "Trip Adviser" reviews of our first two hotels made me realize I MUST be in the minority. "I came all the way to Sichuan, China and am appalled that no one here speaks any decent English." or "The room was fine, but the breakfast had very few western selections and the omelet station was lacking." Really?
Dear Trip Adviser review people: Please note: YOU TRAVELED TO CHINA. China. You know. That big country with lots and lots of people, a vast history, a unique culture, abounding in mystery, and yes. They eat different food and speak a very different language. If you want "China-light" go to China Town in London. Or New York. Or Boston. Or wherever you are from. I do not really understand why you expended so much effort and expense to get here only to wish it wasn't really here after-all.
I must really be in the minority, because all the guides seem to delight in pointing out the closest KFC, or MACdonalds. Thank you. I usually try to avoid those places back home. I REALLY don't want to eat them here. I WANT the pig nose, thank you very much.
Yes. We did eat KFC on the Bullet Train. It was (as is the case with most fast-food decisions) one of expedience. We did have to eat something. There was KFC. Or there was a pre-packaged noodle cup to which you'd add hot water. I still haven't really been able to eat one of those since the Mini Cup of Wrath Episode from the trip for Mia in 2008. So we ate the KFC. But it just felt wrong.
Again, especially among adoptive families, I know I must be an anomaly. Especially by the time people come to Guangzhou, many are just about done. D.O.N.E. done. And I get it. This time around, I get it more than ever. But I still would rather struggle to communicate and eat the local food.
Even if I did have fish and chips and an IPA for lunch today. :-)
Preparing for Levi's Visa
Joe and I don't have a lot for you today, and we're sorry. We didn't really take many pictures, nor did we have any grand or even mediocre adventures. The first half of the day was spent getting ready for Levi to get his US Visa on his Chinese Passport so he can come home. The second half was spent eating, getting supplies, playing with Levi, meeting new people, handing over dirty laundry to a complete stranger, spilling wine on a nice lady in the lobby, missing out on free cock-tails, eating, bathing Levi, getting Levi to sleep and, finally, getting myself clean.
We had to meet the other families adopting with our agency at 8:20AM in the Lobby, prepared with lots of adoption paperwork that our guide had listed on an itinerary she hastily handed us at the airport yesterday. I decided to give Joe a break. This was quite likely to be a boring morning but, knowing Levi in public, one I could handle on my own. This was the right call.
The good parts of the morning (really--throughout the whole day) were getting to actually talk to other adults who didn't speak Mandarin as their native tongue. The Chinese Guides are really good at what they do, and we are extremely grateful for them. They do so much for us every step of the way and go out of there way to be helpful and give us a good experience. They also have good English. But it's still spoken with a heavy accent. It's amazing how much work it is to listen to the guides speak to us. I find myself concentrating extra hard, and it's taxing.
There are nine families with our agency here at this hotel. There are first-time adoptive parents, first time PARENTS, and several adopting for the second time. Two of us are on round three. It's fun to get glimpses into their lives and see how they are doing with their kids in this crazy experience. Some brought older family members. Three of us are traveling without a spouse. One has a friend. I have Joe. The other is totally solo. (WOW!)
For those of you who have done this before, even the visa photos and medical check have now moved off of "The Island." I couldn't tell you WHERE they are, except that they are in one big building that had a liquor vending machine in the lower lobby right next to where you take the visa photo of your child.
Of course they do....complete with Aliens trying (apparently) to make the sales pitch. Having all of this in one (modestly air-conditioned) building robbed us of some of the charm of Shamian Isalnd, but also some of the chaos.
The spacious, third floor medical exam facility was new and clean and (dare I say?) actually felt like a medical clinic. Not that the exams are any more thorough, or that you'd really feel like asking a serious question. For example, Levi has had serious congestion in his chest from day one. He has had no fever and doesn't cough, but even I can feel it rattling in his chest when he sleeps against me in a plane, train or automobile. (Yes. He's fallen asleep in all three.) But this wasn't noticed or mentioned. Don't get me wrong--I'm GLAD. The last thing I want is Levi to be held up from getting home sooner.
This place was a little (!) more organized. We moved through with a fair amount of ease. For the newbies who thought this was crazy and chaotic, others of us would just smile and say, "you should have seen the LAST place!"
How did Levi do? He was classic Levi. Which is to say: brilliantly. Or, rather, he was clearly scared out of his wits, so he clung fiercely to me as much as he possibly could. That makes a pleasant experience for me for sure. I get to cuddle with my son, while still having fully engaged conversations with the aforementioned adults as we wait for our turn, even while they are desperately feeding, bouncing or chasing their children around. Levi's fear and calmness give the beautiful allusion that I know what I'm doing, that I'm a "pro, the veteran of adoption who can keep a four year old boy at perfect peace for hours at a time. Yeah. right.
They have added a new blood draw to the mix as well to test for TB. Good call! No more return trip to check a mark that doesn't change. Parents are not permitted behind that door, so I don't know the bedside manner of those drawing the blood. Some kids screamed. Some cried. Levi, looking on the verge of tears, took it and didn't say a peep, except to whisper and gesture for me to get the band-aid off of him as soon as possible.
Back at the hotel, we were instructed to gather still more paper-work. One parent was instructed to meet in a conference room with our packet while the other looked after the child. Oh. yeah. Well....There's Joe! That could work, right?
The guide kindly explained the situation to Levi for me at which point he burst into tears but obediently nodded "yes" none-the-less. Joe, fresh from exploring the hotel, buying water across the street and chillin' was up for the task. I gathered my things and entrusted Levi to his care.
I won't bore you with the tedious details of putting the paperwork together, but it was loads-oh-fun for this non-detail guy. Also, I might be detained in China for putting a small line through the "Z" in Levi's Chinese name on a document I had notarized in CT. But anyway......I was thinking how interesting it was that I've done this three times, and Jessemyn would have been with the girls, when suddenly, my phone rang with a face-time request. It was Joe. And Levi. And the whole room could immediately tell that Levi was crying. He was crying my name: "Baba! Baba! Baba!" It was heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once. Really? He wants ME?!?!
So, I went and got him. Later on I found out that Joe was with him by the window when a loud clap of thunder and lighting scared him and started him crying for me. Those poor solo mothers had to feed their kids bananas or walk them around a packed conference room in a stroller while simultaneously copying long strands of numbers and remembering to put this date in the "American order" (Month/Day/Year) but THIS date in the Chinese Order (day, month year), and other horrifyingly important tasks.
Levi? He melted into my lap and chilled. Go Levi!
So our guide now has the destinies of nine small Chinese children adopted by American parents in her possession and power. She has all their vital paperwork. She has all their Chinese passports. And she will check through them all again for us and help us get them to the US Consulate at our appointed times on Tuesday. Hopefully, one little over-drawn "Z" will not cause any problems.
We had to meet the other families adopting with our agency at 8:20AM in the Lobby, prepared with lots of adoption paperwork that our guide had listed on an itinerary she hastily handed us at the airport yesterday. I decided to give Joe a break. This was quite likely to be a boring morning but, knowing Levi in public, one I could handle on my own. This was the right call.
 | |
| Joe's First Course. |
The good parts of the morning (really--throughout the whole day) were getting to actually talk to other adults who didn't speak Mandarin as their native tongue. The Chinese Guides are really good at what they do, and we are extremely grateful for them. They do so much for us every step of the way and go out of there way to be helpful and give us a good experience. They also have good English. But it's still spoken with a heavy accent. It's amazing how much work it is to listen to the guides speak to us. I find myself concentrating extra hard, and it's taxing.
There are nine families with our agency here at this hotel. There are first-time adoptive parents, first time PARENTS, and several adopting for the second time. Two of us are on round three. It's fun to get glimpses into their lives and see how they are doing with their kids in this crazy experience. Some brought older family members. Three of us are traveling without a spouse. One has a friend. I have Joe. The other is totally solo. (WOW!)
For those of you who have done this before, even the visa photos and medical check have now moved off of "The Island." I couldn't tell you WHERE they are, except that they are in one big building that had a liquor vending machine in the lower lobby right next to where you take the visa photo of your child.
The spacious, third floor medical exam facility was new and clean and (dare I say?) actually felt like a medical clinic. Not that the exams are any more thorough, or that you'd really feel like asking a serious question. For example, Levi has had serious congestion in his chest from day one. He has had no fever and doesn't cough, but even I can feel it rattling in his chest when he sleeps against me in a plane, train or automobile. (Yes. He's fallen asleep in all three.) But this wasn't noticed or mentioned. Don't get me wrong--I'm GLAD. The last thing I want is Levi to be held up from getting home sooner.
This place was a little (!) more organized. We moved through with a fair amount of ease. For the newbies who thought this was crazy and chaotic, others of us would just smile and say, "you should have seen the LAST place!"
How did Levi do? He was classic Levi. Which is to say: brilliantly. Or, rather, he was clearly scared out of his wits, so he clung fiercely to me as much as he possibly could. That makes a pleasant experience for me for sure. I get to cuddle with my son, while still having fully engaged conversations with the aforementioned adults as we wait for our turn, even while they are desperately feeding, bouncing or chasing their children around. Levi's fear and calmness give the beautiful allusion that I know what I'm doing, that I'm a "pro, the veteran of adoption who can keep a four year old boy at perfect peace for hours at a time. Yeah. right.
They have added a new blood draw to the mix as well to test for TB. Good call! No more return trip to check a mark that doesn't change. Parents are not permitted behind that door, so I don't know the bedside manner of those drawing the blood. Some kids screamed. Some cried. Levi, looking on the verge of tears, took it and didn't say a peep, except to whisper and gesture for me to get the band-aid off of him as soon as possible.
Back at the hotel, we were instructed to gather still more paper-work. One parent was instructed to meet in a conference room with our packet while the other looked after the child. Oh. yeah. Well....There's Joe! That could work, right?
The guide kindly explained the situation to Levi for me at which point he burst into tears but obediently nodded "yes" none-the-less. Joe, fresh from exploring the hotel, buying water across the street and chillin' was up for the task. I gathered my things and entrusted Levi to his care.
I won't bore you with the tedious details of putting the paperwork together, but it was loads-oh-fun for this non-detail guy. Also, I might be detained in China for putting a small line through the "Z" in Levi's Chinese name on a document I had notarized in CT. But anyway......I was thinking how interesting it was that I've done this three times, and Jessemyn would have been with the girls, when suddenly, my phone rang with a face-time request. It was Joe. And Levi. And the whole room could immediately tell that Levi was crying. He was crying my name: "Baba! Baba! Baba!" It was heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once. Really? He wants ME?!?!
So, I went and got him. Later on I found out that Joe was with him by the window when a loud clap of thunder and lighting scared him and started him crying for me. Those poor solo mothers had to feed their kids bananas or walk them around a packed conference room in a stroller while simultaneously copying long strands of numbers and remembering to put this date in the "American order" (Month/Day/Year) but THIS date in the Chinese Order (day, month year), and other horrifyingly important tasks.
Levi? He melted into my lap and chilled. Go Levi!
So our guide now has the destinies of nine small Chinese children adopted by American parents in her possession and power. She has all their vital paperwork. She has all their Chinese passports. And she will check through them all again for us and help us get them to the US Consulate at our appointed times on Tuesday. Hopefully, one little over-drawn "Z" will not cause any problems.
8.28.2015
What's In Your Bag?
I've thought a bit about this bag the last few days. This little boy thinks that all he's got in the world is a little pink bag and the few things it holds. So he holds it ever-so tightly. He clutches it with all he's got.
But this isn't reality. From the moment he was given that bag, he was also given so much more! Little does this little boy know that he has a family. A bedroom and bunk beds! A sandbox. A swing-set on the way. A suitcase filled with clothes and more at home. There are toys in that suitcase as well and a few more at home. There is a family who has pledged to feed and care for him. He doesn't lack anything! But he doesn't know that. From his limited perspective, all he's got is The Pink Bag and its contents. And he grabs on with all his might.
I wonder if we are not just like Levi. When we are adopted into God's family, we immediately have "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade kept in heaven" for us. (see 1 Peter 1) Through Jesus, we become heirs of the Father and His everlasting kingdom. But we can be so near-sighted, so blind. We see our paltry, earthly possessions and cling to them with all our might, desperate with fear that someone or something will take them away. We devise all sorts of schemes and protections, but our defenses are so easily torn away. We worry and stress, but in reality have all that we need not only now but for eternity.
Jesus says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
What's in YOUR bag? To what are you clinging?
Our Time in Guangzhou
Tomorrow we get up early, eat breakfast and meet other families adopting with our agency. We all board a van to have pictures taken of our kids for their US Visa. They will also have a medical appointment. (a scene of perpetual chaos and angst. Fun.) Then we'll return to the hotel to fill out the Visa paperwork. (I'll count on Joe to hang with Levi so I can concentrate.
On Sunday, we'll do some low-key touring and hit some souvenir shopping places. Monday is an open day, more bonding as we begin to get anxious to get home. Tuesday, we go to the US Consulate to take care of our Visa paperwork in person. One Wednesday, we hope we get our Visa packet so we can fly to Beijing late that night.
We have six more nights in China, and two flights (including the big one--13.5 hours!) After tomorrow, our days should be fairly low-key.
On Sunday, we'll do some low-key touring and hit some souvenir shopping places. Monday is an open day, more bonding as we begin to get anxious to get home. Tuesday, we go to the US Consulate to take care of our Visa paperwork in person. One Wednesday, we hope we get our Visa packet so we can fly to Beijing late that night.
We have six more nights in China, and two flights (including the big one--13.5 hours!) After tomorrow, our days should be fairly low-key.
Who is Levi?
I say this, because whatever I say about Levi now, can really be no true predictor of what he'll be like once he knows some more English, is well rested, and is in a more settled routine with family at home. This will take a while.
But what do I see at this point? I see a kid who is largely in survival mode just trying to absorb the enormous changes and new experiences happening all around him practically every single moment.
And how does he approach the mountain of new things all around him? From trains and boats and planes to hotels and broader food experiences, to the English language, to white people and their smells, habits and mannerisms, to Panda parks, to swimming pools, etc. etc. etc. Levi mostly watches and listens. He is extremely quiet. That serious face you see in picture after picture is the face he normally wears. There is at least a trace of fear and apprehension about him almost all the time. Even when you expect otherwise, Levi's first reaction to a new thing is likely sober, quiet evaluation.
Take the pool for example. The Garden Hotel has beautiful pools both for adults and kids his size. After dinner, we changed and went down to he pool, thoroughly expecting Levi to delight in the "water, water everywhere"....especially after the impromptu and joyous bath time yesterday.
We were wrong. He was scared.
He let me take him into the big pool and clung tightly around my neck. He let me take him to the kid pool, in which he could stand easily at all three depths. He signaled immediately that he wanted to be in the middle, shallow depth. He just stood there for minutes, looking around, looking nervous, almost on the verge of tears. Eventually we realized he just wasn't ready for yet another new thing, so I dried him off and took him back to our room.
In our hotel rooms, Levi gets more comfortable, perhaps more himself. That is to say, he acts like a 3-4 year old boy. He can be silly, playful, energetic and goofy. He might have a mischievous streak that we'll need to be alert for. :-) He is curious about boundaries in his new-found freedom. (He likely lived a very structured life.)
Is he wild? Not at all. I've had three sons before Levi. I haven't seen anything new in this department. Four year old boys like to move and explore. Is he defiant? Nope. He's actually quick to obey. He just wants to see what is "in bounds" and what is "out of bounds."
Is he shy or outgoing? It seems he's on the shy side--but we'll have to see! He's quiet, but he also talks quite a bit in our rooms. (And no....it doesn't help me understand him any better when I involuntarily ask him to repeat what he just said in Mandarin.)
Levi can get a little intense about food. We wonder if he'll have concerns about "scarcity." He wants the rice on his plate--but also more from the bowl. (Does he think it will all be eaten and he won't get enough? probably.)
We hope the fear will slowly ebb away; we hope he'll feel free to splash and flop and laugh in the pool. We hope he'll realize that there's plenty of food for him. But in the mean time, I'll enjoy those big brown eyes and outstretched arms looking to me to keep him safe and secure and well fed. :-)
First Flight!
We had an early start today to get us from Chengdu to Guangzhou. This was Levi's first flight, and he was AMAZING! With The Pink Bag and XiongMao in hand, Levi was ready to go.
We had a pretty smooth trip to the airport and through all the usual rigmarole to get to our gate. Joseph was so helpful. He was able to handle our bags or Levi while I took care of checking in or buying us some more water once through security. Levi was content to ride in the stroller (clutching The Pink Bag and his Panda) for all but a couple moments.
Once at the gate I took him up and down the escalator a few times. (There was nothing else to do but wait, and has he ever been on one before?) Then we strolled down to the end of the gate area, so I could show Levi some planes in action. He was Mr. Serious for much of this time.
We boarded the plane comfortably and waited for take-off. Levi got the window seat. I was curious to see how this would go. He's done so well all week riding in vans, buses, trains, subways, a taxi. I wasn't worried at all about the two hour flight. (The first of three flights we'll make with Levi to get home.)
He didn't like the lap-belt at first until he saw that baba and gu-gu also had to wear theirs. He settled in and waited like the rest of us. He had some starbursts from "Joe" and worked at tying The Pink Bag securely shut.
I watched him as we began to taxi, pick up speed and start to take off. He looked at me with huge eyes and gestured frantically to the lap belt, then for me to pick him up. I gestured that I couldn't. He was clearly SCARED. I leaned in and put my arms around him. He nestled in tight and put his head down on my arm. He was fast asleep within a minute or two: I kid you not. He slept all the way until touch-down.
And THAT is what we call a traveling WIN!.
Once at the gate I took him up and down the escalator a few times. (There was nothing else to do but wait, and has he ever been on one before?) Then we strolled down to the end of the gate area, so I could show Levi some planes in action. He was Mr. Serious for much of this time.
We boarded the plane comfortably and waited for take-off. Levi got the window seat. I was curious to see how this would go. He's done so well all week riding in vans, buses, trains, subways, a taxi. I wasn't worried at all about the two hour flight. (The first of three flights we'll make with Levi to get home.)
He didn't like the lap-belt at first until he saw that baba and gu-gu also had to wear theirs. He settled in and waited like the rest of us. He had some starbursts from "Joe" and worked at tying The Pink Bag securely shut.
And THAT is what we call a traveling WIN!.
8.27.2015
Levi Update
Today was a crazy mix of Levi-experiences. First, let me say.....he's tired. He HAS to be. I know how I feel, and he has to be MORE tired. Think of all he's been through and how the emotions of it alone are DRAINING. Yesterday was REALLY long. Had I known that we'd be back three hours later than I'd thought.....yikes.....I would have bailed. It was a lot. He was up WAAAAY past bed-time.
That didn't set up well for today when we had to meet our guide at 9am. I slept (record for this trip so far) until seven, and actually had to wake up both sons in order to leave us a little time to get dressed, eat and be ready for the day. That was not the greatest way to start.
He just wasn't ready to be up. And he cried. For The Nanny. For a while. And then we were off. Which is good. It's a good distraction, and he was GREAT on our outings. He liked the Pandas. He devoured his lunch. He was great when Joe and I walked with him down the street for a little shopping.
But he was done. He had napped in the car, but his schedule is just off. So he was wound up in the room from late afternoon, through dinner and up until bed-time. He is more comfortable and is starting to assert himself. He had a ton of fun playing with the water and then in the tub. He had a blast playing "get the remote" from Gu-gu Joe. He threw himself whole-heartedly into throwing the ball.....even whacked his head good on the bed. And we all had fun together.
But he was pushing it to throw water from his cup at his brother. (several times.) Or to sneak back to try for more water fun in the bathroom. (several times) Or to start playing around with the hotel phone after repeatedly being told "boo." (No.) He was a little demanding at dinner. He seemed to be ordering the wait-staff (and then me) around a little. So.....I felt the need to be kindly assertive in return and set a few clear boundaries for what he can and cannot do.
At this stage of the game, boundaries are simply not going to be what they are for the long haul. These two weeks are survival. You do what needs to be done to work through it and get home to building a steady routine. For example, he'll eat far more candy than he will at home. I'll let it slide that he refuses to wear socks in his shoes (even though, because of that they reek). We're all just trying to get to know each other and make it through a simultaneously fun and traumatic time.
So, we had lots of close contact. Lots of playfulness. Lots of great shared moments. And some not-so-great shared moments. Joe and I looked at each other across the dinner table after Levi finally got his Fan (rice), and you could see the exhaustion in the face of the other. We were spent.
So....off to bed to start even earlier tomorrow.
We meet the guide at 8am to go to the airport to fly to Guangzhou and check into yet another hotel.
I look forward to going to Guangzhou. The hotel is awesome. We'll see other USA adoptive families. There's more great food and adventure awaiting. There's more precious time simply hanging out with two of my sons. But I'm already starting to eye the faint light at the end of the China tunnel....
That didn't set up well for today when we had to meet our guide at 9am. I slept (record for this trip so far) until seven, and actually had to wake up both sons in order to leave us a little time to get dressed, eat and be ready for the day. That was not the greatest way to start.
He just wasn't ready to be up. And he cried. For The Nanny. For a while. And then we were off. Which is good. It's a good distraction, and he was GREAT on our outings. He liked the Pandas. He devoured his lunch. He was great when Joe and I walked with him down the street for a little shopping.
But he was done. He had napped in the car, but his schedule is just off. So he was wound up in the room from late afternoon, through dinner and up until bed-time. He is more comfortable and is starting to assert himself. He had a ton of fun playing with the water and then in the tub. He had a blast playing "get the remote" from Gu-gu Joe. He threw himself whole-heartedly into throwing the ball.....even whacked his head good on the bed. And we all had fun together.
But he was pushing it to throw water from his cup at his brother. (several times.) Or to sneak back to try for more water fun in the bathroom. (several times) Or to start playing around with the hotel phone after repeatedly being told "boo." (No.) He was a little demanding at dinner. He seemed to be ordering the wait-staff (and then me) around a little. So.....I felt the need to be kindly assertive in return and set a few clear boundaries for what he can and cannot do.
At this stage of the game, boundaries are simply not going to be what they are for the long haul. These two weeks are survival. You do what needs to be done to work through it and get home to building a steady routine. For example, he'll eat far more candy than he will at home. I'll let it slide that he refuses to wear socks in his shoes (even though, because of that they reek). We're all just trying to get to know each other and make it through a simultaneously fun and traumatic time.
So, we had lots of close contact. Lots of playfulness. Lots of great shared moments. And some not-so-great shared moments. Joe and I looked at each other across the dinner table after Levi finally got his Fan (rice), and you could see the exhaustion in the face of the other. We were spent.
So....off to bed to start even earlier tomorrow.
We meet the guide at 8am to go to the airport to fly to Guangzhou and check into yet another hotel.
I look forward to going to Guangzhou. The hotel is awesome. We'll see other USA adoptive families. There's more great food and adventure awaiting. There's more precious time simply hanging out with two of my sons. But I'm already starting to eye the faint light at the end of the China tunnel....
Giant Pandas and Hot Pot
JMBlog#2
Today we went to see some giant pandas in one of only 2 such places on the earth with more than about 2 or 3. The place we went to has over 100 pandas, but only 15 or so could be seen by the public (Not counting the 10ish baby pandas). While walking up to the entrance, they were playing Kungfu Panda. They were at the scene where the furious 5 tried to take on Tai Lung and epically failed. It was raining, and our guide made us dress Levi in a sweatshirt, pants and poncho, though it's still in like the 80's and the most humid it's been the whole trip.
Levi is somewhere in the blue
After walking through the bamboo path........
we went to the first panda enclosure.
After looking at this one, we went to the one about ten feet away, and saw this one munching on piles of bamboo.
We walked for a bit more and surprisingly saw three more pandas in the semi wilder looking habitat.
My dad, Levi (in the stroller) and I moved farther into the park and found a cool panda that was sitting, facing the crowd, just eating as much as he could.
While taking the next photo of dad and Levi, I had set down the Hotel umbrella and never found it again, costing my dad 4 American dollars. Still, a really good picture, though.
When we were done taking a million pictures of that Panda, we moved on to the little baby pandas.
Following the baby pandas, we saw these guys,
Then we hunted the tree tops (About 30 feet up) for the red panda, and I got a few pics.
After seeing the Pandas we returned to the center of town to have lunch. To the left is the HotPot in action. In the center of the table is a giant burner with a bowl of liquidey goodness and some vegetables.
Today we went to see some giant pandas in one of only 2 such places on the earth with more than about 2 or 3. The place we went to has over 100 pandas, but only 15 or so could be seen by the public (Not counting the 10ish baby pandas). While walking up to the entrance, they were playing Kungfu Panda. They were at the scene where the furious 5 tried to take on Tai Lung and epically failed. It was raining, and our guide made us dress Levi in a sweatshirt, pants and poncho, though it's still in like the 80's and the most humid it's been the whole trip.
After walking through the bamboo path........
Following the baby pandas, we saw these guys,
After seeing the Pandas we returned to the center of town to have lunch. To the left is the HotPot in action. In the center of the table is a giant burner with a bowl of liquidey goodness and some vegetables. 
When you order the Hot Pot, the first thing that you will need is a guide who will do everything for you so all you have to do is say "yes" or "no." The next thing you need to do, is to tell yourself that no matter what you do, or how much you eat,there is no way you can finish the pot. And finally, you must never enter a hot pot restroom. I don't need to go into detail, but the flies that were there can fill you in.
Above are 3 bowls filled with garlic, chives, and cilantro. Once you mix these with oil and special china salt they become the best dip for whatever meat you eat in your HotPot. We chose to have beef that looked like bacon.
Do not let it fool you, it is beef NOT perfect bite sized pieces of wonderfully delicious bacon. I had that for breakfast ;-) And yes, we did have cilantro, even though it was not cooked and was likely washed with bad water. None of us are dead, but if we do go, we will send a china postcard.
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