Life in Guangzhou

Well it has been quite a busy week in Guangzhou to say the least.  We arrived late Friday night after a two hour plane delay in Nanning where Tommy and I were an international spectacle trying to calm down a tired and hungry toddler while people continued to stare and touch Conner.  Did we mention that Kelcy just turned 3?   So she would like to do things on her own including running up and down the airport corridor and running back through security and really didn't appreciate us telling her that she could not do that :-) We were exhausted when we arrived at the beautiful Garden Hotel - it is very 5 star and not the way we usually travel so we felt a little under dressed when we checked in :-)  I was so glad to see a bed and we finally got Conner and Kelcy to sleep around 12:30am so they were able to get a little sleep before we had to take Kelcy to her medical review the next morning at 8:30am, which went pretty smooth and then she had to have the TB test which she passed :-).

We then did a little shopping and toured the Shamian Island where we grabbed lunch at Lucys which is a restaurant the has an American ambiance and sat by a table that had license plates from Wisconsin and Indiana on the wall.  We also had a chance to let the kids play on a playground and walk through a park with different statues.....I found the island to be very peaceful, yet very active with all kinds of photography shoots from models modeling clothing for catalogs to young brides and grooms getting their pictures taken right before they get married.  We are in the popular month for weddings and couples get their picture taken in the morning and then it is developed in time for their reception so they can post in the lobby where their reception is taking place:

We have spent the week shopping and relaxing a little at the hotel.  Did I mention that it is hot!  I have been breaking out in a sweat the minute we walk outside so I gave up styling my hair on this trip.   We have enjoyed a huge buffet at breakfast and have enjoyed some chinese meals and of course have found every fast food option around our hotel.  Tommy and I are looking forward to having a huge salad when we get home and a drink with ice since we have to avoid most raw vegtables and fruits and for sure ice.  We have enjoyed many meals with the Gallagher and Stevens families that we traveled with and we celebrated our last night with all the families at a Mexican restaurant by our hotel and were so happy to see that Kelcy enjoys chips and salsa just like Conner and I :-)  Per tradition all the families from our adoption agency went to the White Swan hotel and took our pictures on the red couch.  First we just had our new daughters on the couch, our Kelcy and then Gabby and Ana - all so adorable!  Gabby would rather sit with her family though and we determined that Kelcy needs to get used to wearing a dress so we have been putting shorts on under her dress :-)

The White Swan also has a beautiful waterfall in the lobby so we were able to do a group shot at the waterfall

Today we had our consulate appointment and processed the paperwork that will allow Kelcy to be an American citizen when we fly back home.  Tommy and I took an oath and now the entire process is officially complete.  We will get Kelcy's visa tomorrow right before we travel to Hong Kong for our last night in China.  We will fly out of Hong Kong on Friday morning at 9:45am and arrive in Raleigh at 7pm on Friday....but keep in mind that we get to add 12 hours to our day.....so our Friday will be a 36 hour day :-).  Here are some random pictures from our stay in Guangzhou:

  Kelcy was pushing Conner in the water while he floated on his back.  The roof top pool area was beautiful and we hope to enjoy the pool tomorrow before we pack up and check out at 3pm.