Day 9 - Hibernating at the Marriott

So close. Jude slept in my bed last night and did a good 7 hours. I got considerably less. She was fussy at breakfast but I did get her down for a nap. There was a semi-planned tour to a new section of town this morning that I wasn't interested in so we stayed in. Jude is still coughing and congested and I'm just getting worse every day. Supposedly they were going to go to the island later, but at the last minute (again) added that to the morning trip. Tomorrow is supposed to be a warmer day.

The Laymons picked up the chops I ordered so I don't has worry about how to get get over there. Tomorrow we all go to the consulate in the morning to finish paperwork and do the swearing in ceremony. I'm planning an island trip tomorrow afternoon. If possible maybe we can get the Laymons and Stones to join us for dinner.

Well, she's had her first McD's fries. I swear she did a happy dance while she ate them. Said goodbye to the Minto family; they were so helpful to me. I wish we were all kept together as a group.

John dropped off the chops and let me know we need to be in the lobby tomorrow at 7:50. Hours later, our guide called with the same information. Nice.

I didn't have time to order dinner as I'd planned so noodles from the market were my best option. Cost: 63 cents. Jude loved them! That was the most sound she's made and the most insistent she's been about food. Girl, you are a cheap date. Tomorrow is our last full day. I couldn't be happier. I spoke with Lori on FaceTime and it made me even more homesick. I miss the dogs and Percy. I miss knowing where to go and being able to go when I want. I miss restaurants on the first floor. I miss my own universe. I knew this trip would be hard, and it's been easier than it could have been, thanks to the kindness of my group families. I know they are just doing the right thing, but they've no idea how crucial their help has been.

Day 8 - Shamian Island in the cold rain

The plan was to go out early to the island, do more window shopping than spending, but it was really cold. See your breath cold. We went, with Jude bundled up and with her blanket. It started raining right after we arrived, and the cab dropped at the opposite end of the island from where I wanted to be. We hit one shop, got three outfits and shoes. Not squeaky shoes though; the shoes she brought with her are too big. We were cold and damp and headed home. I didn't want either of us to get any sicker than we already were.

Sadly the first casualty of the trip was her blanket, which dragged against the stroller wheels and got two holes. I like that blanket. I still need to get back to Chen Temple to pick up the chops. Hopefully the weather improves.

We spent the rest of the day in the room, playing and watching Asian MTV. I will confess to my second meltdown of the trip. A little homesickness, a lot of cabin fever, that kind of thing. I'm still down overall, but I'm focusing on 2 full days left, then the trip home begins.

On a good note, she had a better experience with the bath tonight. I got in with her (darn near couldn't get out), and after giving her something to play with, and standing her up at first, she eventually was sitting, chattering, and splashing. Now if we could get improvement on the changing front. Those pull up diapers are looking better and better. She's back sleeping in my bed, still waiting to see if it makes for a better sleep tonight.

Day 7 - Noodle King and sleep

After the Pearl Market we went to a restaurant that has been on one of the travel or cooking TV shows, the Noodle King. Again Jude ate anything put in front of her (save fruit) to the amazement of the other parents. We had amazing noodles of course, but scallion pancakes, soup, and this cinnamon and ginger grilled chicken that was fantastic. It wasn't flavors I excepted in China.

I still have to get a few things over the next few days. The consulate appointment is Wednesday and we leave Friday afternoon. Time enough for one or two excursions back to the island.

Noodle envy

Shopping at Chen Temple

Who cares if it's cold!

Chen Temple

Temple carvings

More Chen Temple

Tonight I took two of the big Euro square pillows and put them under the board of the play yard. That raised the deck a good 2 to 3 inches. It was easier to get her down this time. I really hope she sleeps through the night. I need to sleep through the night. Did I mention she grinds her teeth?

Day 7 - Chen Temple and Pearl Market

Another rough night with baby. The play yard the hotel supplied for a crib is too high on the sides and too low in the bottom for me to easily put her down without jostling her. So we were up off and on.

Another good breakfast. Jude loves scrambled eggs and she had some yogurt, but again I haven't found a fruit she will eat. I knew today's excursion could be a long one so at least I packed well. We went to the Chen Family Temple but it was really cold. I ordered a chop with her Chinese name. A chop is a personal stamp, the equivalent of a signature. For all the adoption documents the Chinese official marks are all red stamps; the adoptive parents were required to sign and stamp our fingerprint.

The temple was beautiful with delicate sculptures on display. There were artists in residence as well; naturally the art I liked was well out of my price range. I'm trying not to buy a bunch of little things; I'd rather bring home a few items that have more meaning. That and I only have so much space in my suitcase.

After that we stopped at the Pearl market. We had 2 bus loads of GW families and we were crowded into a store the size of a walk in closet. I'm not really claustrophobic but it got to me. Then I realized I didn't want another set of classic pearls so I went over to the more expensive place and got a double strand of irregular pearls, and a bracelet and earrings. I told Jude that she would have to make due with her grandmother's pearls, these were for me! It dawned on me as she was stringing them that I should take Mom's old rings I never wear and have the stones set in a nice clasp for the pearls when I get home.

Pearl Market store

I approve of your selections

Day 6 - Renmin Park, Nanning

I mentioned the local park in Nanning.  It is called Renmin Park or Peoples Park.  Looking at maps of Chinese cities the people park is a constant.  Even though we visited on a gray day it was beautiful.  A huge, koi filled lake, surrounded by massive mangrove trees, with nooks and spots for people to play, exercise, dance, stroll - anything.  The guide explained that it is common for Chinese to retire at 50 and the elder generation is most involved with raising the grandchildren. Parks like these are full of toddlers and grandparents enjoying the day.

I really wish we had something like this.  Most parks in Columbus are a playground, open field, a few shelters and a simple walking track.  This is what a park should be, and free to the public.

I've attached some pictures and videos I shot that morning.  I tried to shoot the local flavor and include footage of the families in my group.

Day 6 - Guangzhou

We stayed at the China Hotel which is fantastic. Now that we are in the second week of the trip we are meeting up with other families from Great Wall who adopted in other China provinces.

New GW guide, same kind of issues. They've changed the itinerary so we are doing the medical exam and visa photo today. Itinerary changes were to be expected, due to weather and other circumstances. But the guide didn't tell us last night that there's a $200 USD limit per day for currency exchange. Sucks but I wasn't too worried - a nice breakfast improved the mood. Jude managed to slide right through the highchair, she didn't even budge in the ancient highchairs in Nanning. Ah the public humiliation!

So we headed out for Shaiman Island for exams and such. Two hours I thought, so a bottle of water for the baby, comfy clothes for me, no need for extra diapers or a bottle of formula . . . nope we were gone for 6 hours. Unbeknownst to us, we were supposed to sightsee and shop too, and have lunch, before the bus would be back. Blew through Jude's nap time, she had congee and some of my sandwich for lunch but no bottle. And me, well I was wearing my new pants, my new too long pants. I was soaked to the calves by the time we got home. I didn't want to shop right then, wasn't prepared.

Jude feel asleep while we walked to the place for lunch, then was squirming and cranky after, I mean really cranky, and only slept for less than an hour for her nap. Cranky strikes 1 and 2. Back on the bus after 1:30, the guide says, oh you need to fill out the consulate paperwork this afternoon (another variation from the itinerary), come to this room at 4:30. Cranky strike 3.

I get to the room at 4:30, oops, you needed to bring all your paperwork, plus the packet from Nanning. Jude and I go back to the room, get the goods, leave the key in the room, can't get to the other floor without a key card, can't get a new key card without an ID, which was still on the other floor in the diaper bag. Cranky strike 4. Finally get to the room, wait my turn and the guide's roommate shows, and suddenly, just sign these three papers she will do the rest. I felt a bit like I was getting second class service because the roommate, another guide, was there and they wanted to socialize. Cranky strike 5.

Oops, BTW we are going to Chen Temple tomorrow plus we are going to the Pearl Market. Another long day. I'm tempted to do the Pearl Market another day but maybe I'll just look around and catch a cab back to the hotel earlier. Cranky strike 6.

Day 5 - Goodbye Nanning, Hello Guangzhou!

Bad night last night. I work up around 1 with a flowing bloody nose and I woke her up. She got upset because I wasn't getting her right away but I needed to stop the blood. She had a bottle but didn't go back to sleep for another hour, meanwhile, I'm still bleeding. I couldn't sleep well and she was up off and on. We are both tired this morning. Took a lovely walk in the neighborhood park - I wish we had something like that at home. It was a little on the chilly side and I swear everyone looked at me like Jude was naked with only a onesie, pant, and hooded jacket on. I did feel rather guilty; I should have at least brought a blanket.

Finally headed for the airport around three. Well, after we retrieved my luggage from another hotel group's van. If I hadn't been freaked out about carrying my and the Mintos documentation, and checking constantly heaven know where my things could have gone. At the airport I was stopped for leaving my iPad in my carry on, Security dropped Chis' passport under the X-ray belt and a few other problems, culminating in a delayed flight out to GZ. The airport was hot, crowded, and loud (including a shouting level enthusiastic card game near us that went of for an hour) and I was very happy to get on the plane. Jude didn't make a peep at takeoff and was asleep before the wheels were up. Sweet! Met the GZ guide, boarded at nice motor coach which took us to an even nicer hotel. King size bed, luxury shower - I am in heaven. Except for the fact Jude didn't get to bed until almost 11, I'm so thankful to be here. Luxuries aside, it means we are halfway home.