Today we went to folk art museum. It was a wonderful suprise here in Guangzhou. The architecture was unbelievable - I will try to post a photo that shows the beauty - the walls of the buildings contained many, many figures carved from stone.
After we visited the museum we came back to the hotel and did a little shopping. It is exhausting to shop here as we are constantly having to barter and get the best deal - so much easier to just see the price and decide to either buy it at that price or not.
The White Swan has a play room for the children. We spent a few hours there letting Lili get some of her energy out. There was a darling little 4 1/2 year old girl playing in there with her parents. She and Mckenzie hit it off and she loved having Mckenzie run after her. (This little girl is one of the older children that was recently a nsn referals - her parents requested ayap and were surprised when she was so old -they are thrilled with her - Mckenzie left thinking we need to adopt a 4 1/2 year old - I had to remind her that she has a 5 year old brother who will do the same things) (I've also included a photo of Mckenzie and Lili on the elevator - she was funny - I let her walk on and she backed up to the corner just where Mckenzie and I do... she is very observant)
I forgot to mention this while in Beijing.. and just remembered... Scott and Tavis need to get ready for an expensive photo shoot... Mckenzie decided while we were on The Great Wall that it would be the most wonderful spot for her engagement photos :) and then a wedding in Hawaii... :) It was just a little girl talk :) She does realize that she would be a very spoiled girl to have this happen but she did think it would be cool.
We went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner with our group. They ordered - hold on to your stomachs - pigeon - it is a popular dish here and our guide loves it - they (everyone but myself and my girls) loved it - I offered the pigeons who make a mess on Scott's car at work but I don't think any of them took me seriously - but we do have a new option for the problem downtown TF- maybe a new business venture :) - roasted pigeon...mmm.... They served it all cut up with the heads still on it - the head is the most sought after piece - and they ate every head at our table... ohhh.... Everything else was delicious!
Lili giggled hard this evening as we were walking down the hallway. She was eating a dried banana and dropped it on the floor - she thought that was so funny - she is a ham. I had a lady (who owns a local shop) ask me why we would adopt her, if we knew of the hemangiomas a head of time and that if Lili lived with a family here they would not let her go outside (this was only her opinion and not all people here) I got a bit defensive and a nice mother from Pleasant Grove, UT stepped in and helped me - she is a mother of 12 and is here adopting a little boy with a cleft palate - has another child with a c/p and a few deaf children. It was nice to speak to someone so close to home - she was very passionate that all children deserve a home regardless of their special need... and the other lady backed down.
It is hard to believe that we begin packing tomorrow. We have to have our bags ready Tuesday morning. Mckenzie said that she is excited to return to her life but will miss being here in China - I agree. We have had a wonderful time with each other!!!
Tomorrow our guide goes to the Consulate office for us. Hopefully, all of our paperwork will be okayed.
To Kara and Lisa and families - I am so sorry that you are stuck in Hunan!!! I can't believe you are still there and can't get out!!! I hope all is well with your children and that you receive some miracle soon to help you get out of the province (and that your families at home will be okay a few days longer). I have missed having you here with us and I'd love to see a photo of your darling children. and to hear about all of the details of your children. I think we take for granted the easy life that we have (I know I do)- it is hard to believe that there is no way to travel out... unbelievable! Good-Luck!!!
I hope all is well with everyone! We are doing well! See some of you soon! Melanie, Mckenzie, and Lili
After we visited the museum we came back to the hotel and did a little shopping. It is exhausting to shop here as we are constantly having to barter and get the best deal - so much easier to just see the price and decide to either buy it at that price or not.
The White Swan has a play room for the children. We spent a few hours there letting Lili get some of her energy out. There was a darling little 4 1/2 year old girl playing in there with her parents. She and Mckenzie hit it off and she loved having Mckenzie run after her. (This little girl is one of the older children that was recently a nsn referals - her parents requested ayap and were surprised when she was so old -they are thrilled with her - Mckenzie left thinking we need to adopt a 4 1/2 year old - I had to remind her that she has a 5 year old brother who will do the same things) (I've also included a photo of Mckenzie and Lili on the elevator - she was funny - I let her walk on and she backed up to the corner just where Mckenzie and I do... she is very observant)
I forgot to mention this while in Beijing.. and just remembered... Scott and Tavis need to get ready for an expensive photo shoot... Mckenzie decided while we were on The Great Wall that it would be the most wonderful spot for her engagement photos :) and then a wedding in Hawaii... :) It was just a little girl talk :) She does realize that she would be a very spoiled girl to have this happen but she did think it would be cool.
We went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner with our group. They ordered - hold on to your stomachs - pigeon - it is a popular dish here and our guide loves it - they (everyone but myself and my girls) loved it - I offered the pigeons who make a mess on Scott's car at work but I don't think any of them took me seriously - but we do have a new option for the problem downtown TF- maybe a new business venture :) - roasted pigeon...mmm.... They served it all cut up with the heads still on it - the head is the most sought after piece - and they ate every head at our table... ohhh.... Everything else was delicious!
Lili giggled hard this evening as we were walking down the hallway. She was eating a dried banana and dropped it on the floor - she thought that was so funny - she is a ham. I had a lady (who owns a local shop) ask me why we would adopt her, if we knew of the hemangiomas a head of time and that if Lili lived with a family here they would not let her go outside (this was only her opinion and not all people here) I got a bit defensive and a nice mother from Pleasant Grove, UT stepped in and helped me - she is a mother of 12 and is here adopting a little boy with a cleft palate - has another child with a c/p and a few deaf children. It was nice to speak to someone so close to home - she was very passionate that all children deserve a home regardless of their special need... and the other lady backed down.
It is hard to believe that we begin packing tomorrow. We have to have our bags ready Tuesday morning. Mckenzie said that she is excited to return to her life but will miss being here in China - I agree. We have had a wonderful time with each other!!!
Tomorrow our guide goes to the Consulate office for us. Hopefully, all of our paperwork will be okayed.
To Kara and Lisa and families - I am so sorry that you are stuck in Hunan!!! I can't believe you are still there and can't get out!!! I hope all is well with your children and that you receive some miracle soon to help you get out of the province (and that your families at home will be okay a few days longer). I have missed having you here with us and I'd love to see a photo of your darling children. and to hear about all of the details of your children. I think we take for granted the easy life that we have (I know I do)- it is hard to believe that there is no way to travel out... unbelievable! Good-Luck!!!
I hope all is well with everyone! We are doing well! See some of you soon! Melanie, Mckenzie, and Lili
Lili sounds a lot like Mei Mei, especially the "being a ham" part of it!
ReplyDeleteHope all is well,
The Meyerhoeffers
What a fun little girl Lili must be! Can't wait to see her giggle and play! Hope your trip back is smooth and easy! Love you, Loye (Grandma)
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing your fun pictures and all the fun things you are doing - Lili is beautiful! What a fun girl-bonding time with Mekenzie too!
ReplyDelete