Touring Guangzhou and posing with Po

Let me first catch up on yesterday, our first full day in Guangzhou... we did mostly nothing.  Seriously.

We all hit the hotel's mega-breakfast buffet (tried some congee), then Betty and Lauren headed out for the mandatory medical evals... she was such a trooper, and everything went smoothly. Meanwhile, Dan and Adam walked in the nearby park w/ Big Bob while I hung out at the Starbucks capitalizing on free WiFi, and AJ chilled on his iPod.  But then I realized I spent just as much on coffee and lattes as I would for 24 hrs of hotel LAN, so may as well just buy in now.  (Besides, it's much more better to use the computer in my own room with a cold 20oz Tsingtao!)

Wanted to try something "different" for dinner last night, so we taxi'd to the pedestrian zone (i.e. super-crowded outdoor shopping plaza) and paid a visit to, of all places, a Pizza Hut.  I forgot the camera, so I don't have visual proof (yet) but it turns out that the PH in China is very fine dining... I guess that is where to take your date when you want to impress, 'cuz most of the tables were "two-tops" and we had to wait to be seated for about 30 minutes.  Sure they had familiar pizza, but they also served pseudo-Italian cuisine (think Carrabbas w/ an Asian seafood flare) with romantic lighting, fancy porcelain plates, linen napkins, and even a visit from the restaurant manager to make sure our meal experience was good... it sure was, especially since Adam was still able to order his special "just sauce & no-cheese" pizza!

June 2010 AWAA China group 

Today was another tourism day -- we walked around scenic Yuntai Gardens at the base of Baiyun Mountian, then toured the Chen Family Museum in Guangdong, then had the rest of the afternoon free.  So while the boys got out some energy at the hotel pool, Betty and I figured out how to forward some pictures to her friends via e-mail here in China...and we shared some laughing at the various fragment-sentences we struggled to put together using our electronic E900 Global Translator! (plus, I think she has figured out that I melt when she calls me "dad").

*** As we were looking through today's pictures, we reviewed several nice mother-daughter photos, but I think one shot in particular sums up what it is like to have little brothers:  notice the sign says "No Picking."

Yuntai Park is a large beautiful walking park that combines both eastern and western style characteristics with many different flowers and trees.  It is apparently a hot-spot for bride/groom photo shoots, and even has a little sprayground area... it was VERY hot and humid today, and our big group of Americans was definitely feeling it (of course those of us living in FLA felt right at home).  One highlight for the kids was the section with many of their favorite Disney and Mario game characters... even Betty got excited when she recognized Duo La A Meng (aka Doraemon the cat!)

Betty and Doraemon

Adam and Koopa

A.J. and Luigi

                                                                                                                                                                           

Daniel and Mario

Po and the karate kids

Next, it was on to the Chen Family Ancestry/ Folk Art Museum in Guangdong. Built in the late 1890's as a wealthy family's memorial temple, today it houses many ancient carvings with exquisite details; antique furniture, fine stitching fabrics, ivory and jade carvings, and things like olive pits and small tree nuts carved into intricate designs.  Can't say the kids completely enjoyed it, but it was an interesting glimpse into Chinese history, and truly gave us an appreciation for the simplicity and sturdiness of their intricate workmanship, most of which still carries on today.

It's funny how there is still so much work to do prior to our interview and oath before the consulate this week; we've already been in China nine days and still have much paperwork to straighten out -- honestly, Lauren is the detail-oriented and organized one here (all the moms are) and has handled that mental burden flawlessly... I have often felt like I am on a sweet family vacation with one unique twist!  But this week we start winding it all down and get into the home stretch... China is wonderful, I highly recommend an extended visit, but we can't wait to see our family, friends, co-workers, and prayer warriors in the USA again later this month.  The more we talk with other adoptive families and the consider the series of events over the past several years, leading to this week, the more we realize that our family was chosen for this blessing, and that God has prepared us for these things in His way.

Thank you again for all your prayers, kind thoughts, Skypes, home-checks, and well-wishes.  We'll be back soon.

"And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this."  Esther 4:14b