Visiting the "pet store" and saying goodbye

Well, today's the day... our last day in China (for now, at least...).  We have packed up what we can, and have everything ready to go for our EARLY morning bus to Hong Kong Airport and our cross-Pacific flight back to the states... with our daughter Betty.  We finally are resolving this journey, and bringing Cui Yue (Betty) home to Florida.


This has been a fabulous trip, and we absolutely recommend a visit to China as a vacation destination (or a mission trip) anytime, especially Guangzhou.  So much to do, and the people here are wonderful.  I think Shenyang was our favorite city overall (definitely our favorite hotel) but everywhere we have been has been a treat.


As part of our last relaxing day here, the boys and I decided to check out a recommended Cantonese restaurant just a short walk from the hotel; it was almost lunchtime anyway, so maybe if the food looked good...


Well, the food looked good all right.


The food looked, well, ALIVE.


At first I thought we were at a pet store, what with a big rusty truck unloading all sorts of live animals right there in cages on the street.


Nope, they were just there waiting for their turn in the cooker, for the customer to call them home for dinner.

We couldn't decide if we wanted poisonous or non-poisonous snake:

Or eel, a deal at only 48 yuan:

So many varieties of fish:

Or roast duck, but which one to choose:

Maybe some squid:

Or some thick, meaty turtle:

I was leaning toward some gator tail, of course:

But really, it was too difficult to narrow it down and agree on 

only one choice, 

and the boys were clearly getting famished 

(or nauseated):

So we settled on our fail-safe delight:  Ramen Noodles, PB&J, and some chips.  It's not as glamorous, but it's not looking at me and begging for a stay of execution either.

After our stop by the "pet store" we got in some more time at the hotel pool-- thank God for the outdoor pool-- and said our joyful goodbyes to several families and hotel staff whom we have befriended over the week.   

The bags are packed (mostly).  My boys are asleep, finally.  My daughter (I just love saying that) is winding down, as is the wife, and they'll be asleep soon too.  I am in the process of making one last post, then shutting it all down, and going to sleep early too...

Thanks for coming on this journey with us.  Now the next journey begins...

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.  I will sing to the Lord for He has been good to me."  Psalm 13:5-6

So, does Betty need a little sister?