Guangzhou Day 1

Yesterday was a long day. We spent the morning getting everything packed again and headed down to the hotel restaurant to have lunch. We decided to take a chance and ordered "American hamburgers." They came eventually and looked wonderful. However, upon first bite we realized that they were barely cooked. Nearly raw inside. And we were the only ones in the restaurant, which meant there were at least six very attentive wait staff waiting anxiously to see how we liked everything. Pleasing us is VERY important to all of the hotel staff we have encountered. We were able to communicate that we had wanted the meat "well done" and they took our plates back to the chef. Shortly thereafter, we got them back again. The same ones, cooked just a little bit more. By this time, it was time for us to check out and be ready to leave for the airport, so we each took a couple of tentative bites and left the rest, thankful we would not be returning for another meal.

Our guide was waiting for us, so we quickly checked out and headed back to the Civil Affairs office where we picked up Amelia's passport and a few other important papers. She slept through the whole time there. I was glad that she didn't have to wonder why we were going back to the place where her nannies left her. We got to the airport, checked in, and found that our flight was delayed. We finally took off at 7:45 and arrived in Guangzhou around 9:15. After claiming our luggage, finding our guide, and driving to the hotel it was very late and all the kids were exhausted. The adults were, too! But our hotel here has soft beds, so we had a good night's sleep.

Amelia's first plane ride. She did well, as long as Daddy was holding her.

We are loving Guangzhou! We are staying at the Victory Hotel (west building, for anyone making travel plans soon), and it is very nice. It feels smaller and quieter than the other places we have been. We have a balcony, and there is a Starbucks just around the corner. The bathroom is huge, with a separate shower and deep tub. The hotel is located on Shamian Island, a very small island that caters much to adopting families. It is so nice to be able to walk around without worrying about being run over! This little island used to belong to the British, so the architecture is quite different than the rest of China.

One of many statues on the island

Amelia had her medical examination this morning that she needs to get her US visa. The clinic was not crowded today, and it really didn't take long at all. They checked her height and weight, ears, nose and throat, and did a brief exam. She passed with no problems and was very good.

Tomorrow we will be going to the pearl and jade markets with our Holt group in the afternoon. Otherwise we have a free day. We did some shopping today and plan to do more tomorrow. Amelia continues to do well. She never did have a major grieving spell; she has just become less and less quiet and shy. Today she has been giggling and smiling at all of us, and once when she saw me in the hotel hallway she came running to me with her arms up. God is good!