We’re in Guangzhou

We arrived at the China Hotel Marriott Saturday morning. Wow, is this hotel nice! And a little pricey in the restaurants I might add. We walked across the street and ate at McDonald’s for lunch. This area is more accepting to tourists, the driving is much better and the people aren’t apt to surround and stare at you. SIGH! For dinner, we took a taxi to Papa Johns’s, then walked through Carrefour (Chinese Walmart). That place was packed! We were able to buy a few Chinese/English DVD’s for Alanna to help teach her the ABC’s and some songs. She loves music!
Sunday we went to a local museum. Very beautiful landscaping and building designs. In the afternoon, we had a paperwork party. Not so much of a party though. It was about 2 hours of filling out forms for our consulate appointment. Let’s just say I needed a Goody’s powder after that! Our group then went to a Japanese restaurant that’s connected to the hotel. Great food, but pricey. Yeah I know it’s a little weird eating at a Japanese restaurant in China.
Today is Monday and we all took our children for their medical exam. There were three different stations we had to go to and have the Dr. sign off on. When we got to the exam part, they asked what Alanna’s special need was. They had a little trouble understanding she was listed as having an intellectual/speech delay as she was jabbering away. Our guide interpreted for us and the Dr. asked if we felt she no longer had a special need. Well, not that we can tell at the moment! After the exam, we went shopping at Shaiman Island. Alanna charmed all the women in the shops at chatted away as we looked around. She is definitely a girly girl. She loves putting on lotion, testing out my makeup, trying on Rob’s and my shoes and clothes.
Tomorrow is our consulate appointment. We’ll be hanging out in our hotel room in case they have any questions about our paperwork. Then Wednesday we’ll be picking up her visa.
I’m not able to access our blog here, but will try to post again before we leave. I can retrieve our gmail though. Keep us in your prayers as we’ll have about 24 hours of traveling on the way home with a 3 yr old.