Final Day in China

The day started off with noodles for breakfast.  (I can't wait to get back to our green smoothies!)  We then moved on to an adventurous day with a guide we hired to take us to do some shopping around the city for $5 an hour.  He was the most friendly, excited, energetic Chinese we have met.  He was a kick.  We learned a lot about the Chinese culture and enjoyed our time with him.  He also insisted on carrying our items or pushing ChunMing in the stroller. 



With our guide Jordon

He started us out on the metro which took us to another part of Guangzhou city.  We wished we had tried the metro earlier in our trip because it seemed pretty user friendly, not like some I have been on in the states.

We had a tour of the real China, which was completely fascinating; walking through the back streets and getting a glimpse of daily life for the Middle Class to Poor Chinese citizens.

Besides the fact that it is quiet, here is a typical street we walked today.  Almost all of the apartment building's bottom floors are used as homes and to sell services or goods.  There was a lot of activity with buying, selling, laughing, playing, eating, sleeping, watching tv, etc.  You name it; we saw it.

As we look back at our photos taken, they don't do our day  justice, but will have to do.  One would have to breath in the sites to appreciate the complete experience.

Here is a typical apartment for someone in the "poor" category

typical middle class apartment

woman washing laundry

 Laundry hanging outside of the apartments is a common sight, even in the more expensive parts of the city.  Many do not have washing machines, but even those that do are lacking dryers. 


I wish I had a better picture of this scene.  Surrounded by apartment buildings, we ran into this courtyard. Some women were exercising together, men were playing majhong, and kids running to and fro; it was a social hub.

Our guide was great to explain what we saw and what we didn't see.  We aren't sure if it is because of the specific area we were visiting, or that our guide was super friendly, or that the people were used to seeing him bring Americans through, but in all of the staring we received more smiles and polite nods than at any other point in our visit here.




This flower is called an egg flower for obvious reasons. 
What you can't tell by the photo is that it has a nice fragrance as well.

A gentleman was selling both fresh and dried flowers, which is used to make teas and soups.  With a kind and gentle smile, he handed me a flower to keep.

All of these dried goods were flowers

We saw a lot of dried herbs, fruits, and vegetables.  They use them for many purposes.  We also saw a lot of interesting animals for sale.  Chicken feet are eaten a lot in this area.  In fact, we were told by several people that the Chinese purchase mass quantities of them from the states for cheap, "because they don't know how good they are."  hmmmm, I say let them think they have the better of us.

Pigeons and chickens

ChunMing was interested in the many turtles we saw for sale.

We have never seen black chickens before.  On the outside their feathers are white like other chickens, but when plucked, you see their black skin. 

You can't tell in this photo, but the lady that is checking out the baby chickens for sale, has two live ducks in her red plastic bag, ready to take home to eat.

ChunMing and our guide

It wasn't as hot as it has been because it rained off and on, but it was still pretty hot.  We found this ice cream freezer full of treats and took advantage. 

The sign on the cherries states that they came directly from the United States.
 We also found Red Delicious apples that said the same.

We saw a lot of fruit for sale; some of it was new to us.  The Longan fruit which they call Dragon Eyes, was everywhere.  It looks like a dried grape.  They call them Dragon Eyes because they resemble an eyeball once you break open the outer layer.  They remind me of a peeled grape. 

I wanted to get a close up of this woman working in her garden, but ChunMing was impatient at this moment.  It was a lovely scene as she was surrounded by a beautifully maintained garden, right in the middle of the city.

After walking the streets, our guide took us to an outdoor market.  It was awesome.  It seemed everywhere you looked there was a story.  I wanted to take time to capture each with my camera, but I didn't have the time or ability with our borrowed point and shoot.

Our guide was desperately trying to show me this fruit in David's hand that resembled a lemon, but I was more interested in the woman behind him.  She was carrying vegetables from a nearby garden. 

This cute girl looked to be about 10 years old.  I am not even sure what she was selling, but she had been very interested in us. Unlike most of the other people here in China, she was trying to not be obvious in her curiosity.

Most of the babies do not wear diapers here.  They believe it is bad for their skin.  This little guy was no exception.  He had been laughing moments before.

There was a 5 or so foot walkway with goods on the right and the left.
 I mostly saw vegetables, but there were also a lot of clothing and shoes.

These are typical baskets that are used to carry their goods

This woman had these four Styrofoam boxes strapped to her back.  She looked to be in her 60's.

Our guide explained that when the men are 55 and the women are 50, the government will give them money to retire.  They get around the same amount each month that they earned when they worked, so most will take advantage of the opportunity.  This opens jobs for the younger generation and provides individuals that are more knowledgeable with computers. 

Corn is grown and used a lot here in China.  We saw many corn fields and there was corn in almost every meal in some form or another.  Even Subway offers corn as an optional sandwich addition.

These ladies were selling duck eggs that were covered in mud  and or salt as a way to preserve their freshness

I felt like I was invading people's privacy by taking photos of them.  Although our guide kept reassuring me it was fine as long as we were with him, I did decide to ask a woman before snapping a shot.  She gave me an embarrassed smile, stood up and waved her arms in front of her face as to tell me not to get her in the photo.  The ladies in the above photo on the other hand, seemed to welcome a picture.

The craziest experience of the day was at the indoor market.  There were meats and body parts I didn't even know existed, let alone people ate.  It was very crowded and we had ChunMing in a stroller, so it was difficult to maneuver through the tiny walkways; therefore, I didn't get but a few photographs.  Not being a meat eater, I was mildly affected by the sights.  The floor was full of fluids and the building full of flies. I could only imagine what was on the bottom of my long skirt and all over my shoes. We were literally walking around puddles of fluids.  I did fine until the last isle when the smells, which were intensified by the heat, overcame me.  It was all I could do to hold it together until we got back outside of the building.  

They were skinning, gutting, and chopping up the animals all around us

This was the front of the building where the fruits and vegetables were sold

These chickens were opened up so you could see what you were getting on the inside. 

You can't see it in this picture, but this lady is a mess from skinning large frogs.  You tell her how many and she skins them and puts them in a bag for you right then and there.  yum. fresh!

Just before exiting the building the guide asked if we wanted to see the dog, but we passed on that.

Following this adventure, the guide took us to get some lunch.  When he told us that we would like it because it was authentic, we both felt a bit uneasy.  We were so grateful that the food ended up being fried rice and noodles.  Whew!  Lucky break. 

The employees or owners, I don't know which, stayed quite close and watched our every move the entire meal.

Our guide's energetic and dramatic personality often had ChunMing laughing.  He really liked our guide.  In fact, at one point, he shocked both David and I and pushed David aside as to hold his hand.

This gentleman was a pharmacist of sorts.  He had products that he claimed could cure many ills. 

We ran across several "academies" where the locals could gather to worship, relax, and play games.  It was lunch time and there were many groups gathered around socializing.  It felt more like an enclosed courtyard.

We visited a Buddhist Temple that was over a thousand years old.  The main building was a pagoda that was leaning.  The property was beautifully maintained and one of the caretakers told us that ChunMing would be lucky because we brought him there, and that we would be blessed.  There were many different statues of Buddha, but the most grand were in a large room where individuals were praying, so I didn't take a photo as to not disturb them.  This one above is made of white Jade. 

For the shopping part of our day, the guide, who recently closed up a store, brought us to his home to purchase goods he now sold out of his home.  We were disappointed that he took advantage of the opportunity, but satisfied with what we found.  We didn't feel that we got any good deals, but wanted to bring some gifts home, so we swallowed the bullet.  In our entire visit, we didn't come across much in the way of inexpensive though. 

It was a great way to end our trip to China.  Our experience enlightened us to the Chinese culture in a way the typical tourists spots couldn't. ChunMing did a fabulous job and seemed to enjoy the time as well. 

Since ChunMing got along so well with the guide, we asked if he wouldn't mind telling him about his name; that Momma and Baba added the American name, Elisha, to ChunMing.  He told him that he could choose to continue to be called ChunMing or use Elisha.  I wish I had a video of the exchange.  ChunMing laughed and laughed and told our guide that he liked it.  Each time he heard the name "Elisha" he would laugh.  We aren't sure what that means, but will continue to call him ChunMing until he says differently. :)

In the morning we leave for the Guangzhou airport.  We fly to Beijing and then off to Seattle.  Here we come kids!

US Consulate and other Random Stuff

Today was our Consulate appointment.  We went to a room with about 10 other adopting families and made an oath on behalf of our children.  Then we turned in all of our paperwork in hopes to receive a visa for ChunMing tomorrow which will allow us to bring him to the United States.  The moment he arrives in the states he will be a legal citizen!

 For lunch we went with our guide and the Oregon family to eat DimSum.  It was delicious!  We always enjoy our time with our guide as he speaks great English and has a good sense of humor.  I drill him with questions about the Chinese culture which he is always so obliging to answer.  Today we talked about the role of women, the elderly, the handicap, the one child policy, and the current political news.  He starts off some of his funniest comments by, "We have a joke among the Chinese...."

We passed an IKEA and our guide said, "IKEA is like Chinese taxi drivers, they drive you all over the city before they take you where you want to go."  David loved that one as he hates that IKEA is so big and you have to walk through the entire store even if you want one item.  Of course, if you know IKEA like my friend Brooke, then you take the short cuts. :)



Our first course of DimSum. 



ChunMing loved the chicken wings

 From the beginning of our trip we noticed that there are no napkins in most of the restaurants.  If our guide is with us, he pulls out little packages of napkins that look like Kleenex.  I asked him about it today and he said that Chinese don't use napkins.  The restaurants have the packages available for purchase if you want them.  He continued to tell us that he was taught to use his shirt to wipe his face growing up.  After our meal he added the fact that when they had colds in the wintertime, the kids would have contests to see who could get enough layers on their sleeve as to light a match on them.

Unfortunately, we don't have any photos, but with some political tension between Japan and China recently, the police/military presence has been pretty heavy.  Adjoining our hotel is the Japanese Consulate where there have been protests off and on while we have been here.

 These are typical adds here in China.  Rarely do you see an Asian model advertising a product.  If they are Asian, they still have enough of a mix that they mostly look white. 

It's been fun meeting so many families from around the United States.  I met a woman today that was traveling alone to adopt her little girl.  She waited six years and then two weeks prior to traveling, her mother, who was going to be her traveling companion, had a stroke.  Everyone has an interesting story about how they got to this point, how they found their child, why they are adopting, etc.  David and I noticed a common denominator though; most families are very religious.

We took ChunMing swimming today in hopes that David could disappear and I have an opportunity to create a bit of bonding.  It didn't go so well.  David handed ChunMing over to me a couple of times and swam away.  Each time ChunMing would yell out "Baba! Baba!" over and over again until David came back.  The third time was the straw and he started crying.  With the entire pool staring and my heart sinking, I motioned for David to quickly come and rescue the both of us.  Just when I think we are making headway.... I will keep trying.  There's plenty of time.

It has become sort of a joke that ChunMing will hold anyone else's hand besides Mama's. 

Holding our guide's hand

I had just put my hand out to steady ChunMing on the uneven walkway, when he grunted at me and scurried ahead and grabbed the hand of the 13 year old girl the family from Oregon adopted. She thought it was funny and giggled. :)

 For dinner we went to an Irish Pub that we had heard was fantastic.  Yep.  You can find anything you want here in Guangzhou.  This was the first place I had seen in China with a wood floor.  Besides the fact that the waiters were Chinese, it was full of Americans and the environment was such that you could have been anywhere besides China. 



You can see ChunMing in front of the Pub examining an accordion

On our way home from the Pub we stopped in a few stores which carried everyday clothing, shoes, and jewelry, still hoping to find some treasures to bring home.  David couldn't take it for more than a few minutes as it is more difficult to shop here than a car lot in America.  They follow you around within a couple of feet.  They are prepared with large calculators for foreigners; when you ask how much something is, they show you on their calculator.  If they understand the exchange or know some English then they will convert it from the RMB to the US dollar amount.

Tonight it is raining; not the Seattle kind of rain, but a warm rain.  It was fun to walk back to the hotel as  I love the smell and feel of warm rain!  ChunMing huddled under the cover of his stroller because he didn't like getting wet.  Later, the rain turned to a downpour and a crazy lightening and thunder storm ensued.  Neither David nor I had seen anything like it.  At first it was super cool, but then the thunder got so constant and loud it was a bit nerve racking and made ChunMing nervous.  We put him in bed with us and he snuggled in and fell to sleep within minutes.  All is quiet now and David and ChunMing are asleep. 

We have one more day and I am desperately missing my other children.  They are such troopers and I am so stinkin proud of them.  How many people could leave their children for 2 weeks and know that all will be well?  I have no doubt they are counting down the days of our return as well.  Ashton has been running the business and keeping things afloat at the homefront.  Jordan has been the designated dinner chef.  Sid has been substitute Mommy, which is no easy feat, especially since William is keeping her up all night.  Chloe and Sophia are being great helpers I have no doubt.  We wish there was a way we could repay them for all of their service and sacrifice.  Rock on kids!  You're awesome!

Another Day in the Life

Last night we had to wait for our laundry to arrive so ChunMing killed some time playing in a bath.  He has  enjoyed his baths since the very first day we were united.  In fact, that is something I have mostly done with hopes it would promote a little bonding. 

This photo is taken through the glass that divides the bathtub and the bedroom. As you can see from the water drops, ChunMing loves to spray the glass and pretend he is getting us wet.

Once the laundry came we wandered around a bit to find some quick and easy food that wasn't fried squid on a stick...

ChunMing proudly took this photo of Baba



ChunMing liked the tuna

Finally we came across a Subway, which really hit the spot for something light and fresh.  Even David liked it and he's not even a sandwich fan. 

I took this photo to show our maid at home.  Miss Amy, our laundry lady, puts her to shame. 
It came back to us pressed, folded, and in cellophane bags. I...  I mean our maid, is lucky to get the laundry clean, let alone folded and in the right bins.

Looking at the fish in the pond at breakfast. 
ChunMing can't wait to finish his food so he can take his leftover bread out to feed the fish.

This morning we took ChunMing in to the clinic to have his arm checked for TB.  We were in and out in minutes as all was cleared.  We then went with our guide and the other family from Oregon to an outdoor shopping area.  We were hoping to find some treasures to bring home to our family and friends, but were only able to go to a few stores.  Most that we saw reminded us of stores similar to those you would find in an American mall. We left disappointed.  We regret not doing more shopping in Inner Mongolia where we only purchased some items for ChunMing since it was specific to the Inner Mongolian province.  We thought we would get the rest in Guangzhou.  We are hoping to have another chance.



They call this the pedestrian shopping center

ChunMing loves our guide and our guide is great with ChunMing

Once we returned to the hotel we went out on our own to try and find some authentic Chinese gifts, but had no luck.  Although not very Chinese, we did pick up some Pringles and Dove bars at the 7 Eleven for later in the hotel.  ChunMing found Oreos more to his liking.

I was so glad to have my camera standing by.  I couldn't believe it when I saw it,
 but ChunMing pulled apart his Oreo and then dipped it into his milk.  He is already American!

Later in the day we took ChunMing swimming.  We had tried at the previous hotel, but ChunMing would wave his arms back and forth in front of his face, to signal "no".   This time we just dressed him and went to the pool without asking.

The pool is outdoors which makes it nice and cool in the humid heat

First you walk through a shower, then you step through a wading pool to clean off your feet.
 At this point you may enter the pool

The first time ChunMing has gotten into a pool; no fear, just excitement

He loved it! (This is my favorite photo)

David had him laughing his wonderful belly laugh most of the time in the pool

While out and about this afternoon ChunMing was being silly and playing around with David as usual.  He didn't want to ride in the stroller and insisted on Baba carrying him, but David's arms were tired.  ChunMing lay on the ground laughing, waiting for David to pick him up, but David said, "Boo" several times, which means "no".  Reacting as he has many times in the past with other children, David walked away and said, "O.k., bye bye".  ChunMing instantly stopped laughing and started crying with a more than fearful look on his face.  Both David and I recognized this was not his normal tantrum and realized he truly thought we would leave him there.  David held him until he was calm and felt secure again; we moved on with the understanding that we cannot thoughtlessly rely on the techniques and experience we have benefited by in the past.

After dinner we picked up another suitcase for ChunMing's items.  He understood it was for him and took possession right away.  He insisted on pulling it back to the hotel, gathering his items and carefully packing up his own suitcase.  Tonight he went to sleep with a Chinese DVD we purchased for him; he is hugging it like a stuffed animal. The night before it was his LeapPad.  What must it feel like to have nothing and then to have your very own clothes, toys, food, and movies?

ChunMing already uses a lot of English words and phrases.  He often says, "Let's a go!" when we are leaving the hotel room, or wants to move on to the next thing.  He also loves to say "OK!"

Each day we see more progress as ChunMing interacts more with me.  They are little things, but big to me.  My greatest moment today was when I got him to laugh his hearty laugh while dressing him.  He is accepting my love more each day.  I am a thankful Mama.