Final Day in Hohhot

First, we want to thank those that have made comments or sent emails from back home.  It means a lot to us to have your support and interest in our journey.  At times your comments have been an added boost that was needed at that moment.  We are so lucky to have family and friends.

On our way to the airport today the guide took us to the security building where we picked up ChunMing's visa. The building was huge and the area quite clean compared to other areas we had seen.  As we drew closer, ChunMing stared up at the building, held on to daddy's neck tight, and became sober.  When we got into the elevator he saluted the police officers that were exiting.  He told our guide that he wants to be a police officer when he grows up.  By the time we left he was energetic, talkative, and courious as usual.  Most experiences he has relished, but every once in awhile he shows a bit of fear for reasons we an only guess.

Security building

posing in front of the statue at the security building

The plane ride to Guangzhou was an adventure since ChunMing uses the potty every 20 to 30 minutes.  We aren't sure if it is a medical thing or desire for attention because he goes with daddy and gets him exclusively. To test our theory we told him a few times that only momma could take him, which he agreed to after it became clear Baba wouldn't give in. The 12 hour plane flight home is going to be interesting....

At the Hohhot airport waiting to go to Guangzhou

These noodles are like topramen in a cup.  They are purchased as fast food and there are hot water stations to add your hot water.  We have seen many people use the stations for their tea as well.

1st plane ride ever!  He wasn't quite sure about it, but was entertained by his Leappad and restroom visits.

Our new guide, Elvin, is great.  He is thorough and speaks good English.  He prepared us well for what to expect the next day, which isn't something we experienced in Hohhot.  We look forward to working with him.

Our guide

The Garden Hotel is absolutely beautiful.  This is for sure the nicest hotel we have ever stayed in.  It is 30 years old, but was renovated a few years ago.  I will take some photos to post tomorrow.  Dad, you are going to love the woodwork; it's the first thing I noticed because I haven't seen any other.  We have seen a lot of tile, brick, mud, and concrete.

We went to Pizza Hut for dinner because we had to see what it was like in China.  It was a sit down restaurant with a variety of foods .  We were surprised that the pizza tasted the same.  We also had onion rings and shrimp; ChunMing liked the onion rings.  (smart guy)  We couldn't believe how packed it was, along with the McDonalds that was next to it. 

There have been many times when we have been in a public place and asked for something and received something completely different; Pizza Hut was no exception. We ended up with four glasses of water, when we didn't even want one :) and even scored a few straws.   Most people have been so patient with these American tourists that have no idea how to speak Mandarin.  It does surprise me how many Chinese speak a bit of English though.  Those that have been lucky enough to go to a university, usually take it there.

Guangzhou is a much cleaner, updated city.  It feels like a typical big city in America except for the fact that we can't read or understand anything. :)  In some ways it is disappointing and in others, refreshing.  Hohhot was very dirty and torn up; at least the area we were in.  It seemed to be a mixture of the old and new China.  It was nice because we got to walk through the back alleyways and see people selling baked yams and relieving themselves for the world to see (not that I like that sort of thing, but it did lend to the authenticity :).  Our guide didn't think it was a good idea for us to wander around, but we felt pretty safe.  I felt like we got a little taste of both worlds there in Hohhot. So far, what we have seen in Guangzhou is very Western and updated.  There is a lot more order on the streets as well. We have also lost our stardom status and don't receive the same amount of stares; we have seen quite a few other foreigners.

There are high rise buildings as far as my eye could see

There was a variety of styles of buildings for both office space and apartments

It is quite lush here.  There was beautiful ivy, trees, and greenery even surrounding the freeways

The Pearl River goes through Guangzhou and we saw some pretty amazing bridges

The base of most buildings were shops like a strip mall

Last night was the second night that ChunMing slept in his own bed.  He was typical in that he got up a few times before actually going to sleep, but slept well through the night; therefore, so did we.

Interesting notes: 

*Most all of the advertisements here in China portray American men and women.  Our guide said it is because Americans are fashionable, so Chinese will buy if they think Americans are using the product.  David thought that was quite funny since most of the items they were advertising were made in China.

*In Hohhot (we haven't ventured out in Guangzhou enough yet) many people ride bikes and motorscooters and most of those women wear face masks.  We asked our guide if it was because of polution, which didn't make sense to us because we also noticed it out in the country parts of Inner Mongolia.  She told us it was to keep the sun from browning their skin; it isn't fashionable to have tanned skin.  We told her it was the oppositie in America.

*We have not seen one other handicapped or disabled individual, since being here in China, except in the orphanage.  We asked our guide why she felt this was the case.  The nod to her head and thoughtful "ummm" made it clear this is a subject she has considered.  She said that some are ashamed and hide their relatives and others just keep them at home because it is easier. 

*On the other hand, I love to watch the reverence and respect Chinese have for their elderly; this is something us Americans can learn from them.

Today is ChunMing's doctor visit so we must get ready to go.  Unfortunately, the pictures we have to post from yesterday are on David's phone which he has emailed, but have not come to me yet.  As soon as they do I will add photos. (We promised a post a day for our children back home so they could keep up on our adventures)