Various Other Activities

We've spent the rest of our time here on Shamian Island shopping, eating, shopping, sleeping, swimming, shopping, shopping and....shopping. Oh--and did I mention SWEATING?!

We found some nice (unique) shops and lots of copy cats selling the usual trinkets. Apparently the prices are higher and variety is much less than in recent years. We tried to find a gift for each year up to 18 for our daughter. Lots of folks try to do this either as a "Gotcha Day" gift or birthday gift---if that date is known. It's a little tricky, because you really have no clue who your daughter will be years later. Will she want TONS of stuff from her homeland? Will she want to forget that she has anything to do with China? Both extremes are common enough. One just doesn't know. We got many things that are just simple, nice and fun for a young girl and some things of nicer value. We think we'll give them on her b-day rather than Gotcha. But we'll see.

Since coming to Guangzhou, we've basically stopped eating true Chinese food. We've had a little from the deli, but mostly have gone quasi western. Last night our group had a big dinner at an Italian place (with a real Italian chef!) It was a little pricey, but a nice send off for the whole group together. I loved my gnocchi, J. didn't care for her lasagna. M. like it all well enough.

We calculated at lunch today that we've probably been in a restaurant setting for TWENTY-ONE meals with M. since Gotcha day. (The rest were take-out or room service) Normally, that's asking for trouble with a toddler, but M. has done quite well. Seriously--did any of our kids go to that many restaurants in a whole YEAR when they were two? Not on your life.

Bat-Hooks Away?

Is that Batman and Robin coming down outside our hotel window?! That would be so cool.



Oh. It's the window washers! M.'s eyes got huge and she pointed for Babba to look and then went to mom to be safe. :-)

Chen Family Mansion

After the temple, we went to a government run store. We were disappointed, because we were picturing an outdoor market with really great prices and lots of bartering. It was indoors (which was at least cooler) very controlled and kind of pricey. Not much shopping for us.

After this we went to the Chen Family House. Well, it USED to belong to the Chen family--now the government owns the spacious buildings and grounds. The beautiful buildings now house museums for various crafts of China. There were also some gift shops with decent prices. The carvings and architecture were beautiful. If is wasn't so beastly humid, we would have enjoyed it even more!

The Cow and Bridge

We had dinner with our group at a Tai restaurant--"The Cow and Bridge." It's known for spicy food. It was clean and reasonably priced. I went for a "one pepper" dish, after Martin said the "two pepper" dish left his lips actually in pain for days. Jessemyn was very dissapointed--her sweet and sour was ketchup (huh. I always thought you spelled that "castup") based! I LOVED my dish of spicy squid. WOW

Chinese Line Dancing?

Badminton w/ No Nets

Waiting for the Visa Picture

Here's the scene at the little store where the kids get their pictures for their visas.

Visa Photo, Medical, Clinic, Paperwork and Shopping

That was yesterday. We had a great breakfast at the White Swan buffet then met our guide to go across the street to a little mart for M.'s visa photo. We got there just in time--it was mayhem within moments. Our group of four families was quickly joined my many, many more squirmy toddlers, crying babies and frazzled parents.

We escaped with our pictures and walked a few blocks across the island to the medical clinic of ENT, Height and Weight, and general check of of the children. Again, our guide got us there just in time! Within a short time of getting in line, a mob of other families descended on the clinic. Utter chaos. Check out the video I'll try to post in a little bit.

After we got our official business out of the way, it was time for some shopping. There are lots and lots of shops eager(!) for adoptive family business. Unfortunately, our third time adoptive parent group mates said things have changed. Its not as cheap, and there is not as much variety as there once was. Ah, well. We still found some interesting things---with many more shops to go! We finished the morning at Starbucks with some friends.