Guangzhou at last

We're in Guangzhou at the White Swan Hotel. All families who adopt a child from China must come through Guangzhou. The consulate is here and this is where the visa medical exam is done for the babies. They must pass the exam before they are allowed to leave the country.

We got in around 6pm last night and were not connected to the internet until this morning. We all were asleep again by 8:30pm. I don't think Natalie moved once in her new crib! She was exhausted!

The traveling went well yesterday. We took a small bus to the airport - about a 30 minute ride - and then checked in at the counter. Our luggage met the low weight requirements again - yay! We boarded the plane and John, Beth, Andy, and I were the only Americans that I could see, and Natalie and Lily were the only babies...nervous much? The girls were great though. Natalie promptly drank a bottle before we even took off, and then literally chugged another about an hour later. The flight was only one hour - I'd better pack an entire package of formula for the 15 hour flight to O'Hare on Friday!

The ride to the hotel was a bit stressful. Although the mini van had AC, the driver didn't seem to want to keep it on. We were sweltering! Then the thunder storm came! Loud bursts of thunder, pouring rain, and flashes of lightning. None of that really worried me, it was the 6x8 space in the windshield that the driver continued to wipe with a towel because the defroster was not working! YIKES! Finally the AC kicked in and the windshield was clear. All of this mind you while Lily and Natalie are NOT in car seats, but sitting on our laps.

When we got to the hotel the van disappeared with our bags - all of our paperwork, and computers. No mention was made as to when we would see those bags again. A twinge of nerves kicked in, but mostly we were just ready to settle in. At last we got to our room and our bags were safely waiting for us.

We went to the 'deli' with Aina to get some food for dinner - never again. It was OK, but my curried chicken with rice was a bit different than what I'm accustomed to. Andy made a trip to the 7-Eleven for bottled water, Coca-Cola Light and some more snacks. During that time I bathed Natalie. She's still not very happy about baths. I got her another bottle and then put her to bed. She was asleep within 5 minutes - no calisthenics last night.

Then I was yet again one of the Griswolds on vacation. I attempted to take a hot shower. Well, the shower is a hand-held sprayer that has a hook of sorts to hang the sprayer during your shower. I hung up the device, turned on the water, and it was like a sprinkler in the bathroom! I managed to grab it before flooding the room and just could not stop laughing. I finally realized that you just need to turn down the water pressure a bit and you're all set. It was a welcomed comedy release for the day.

This morning Andy and I woke up at 6:30a.m. - late for us here! We all went down to the brunch for breakfast and the food was wonderful. Natalie tried some scrambled eggs, pear, and a bit of banana bread. She has only had bottles so sometimes the food just stays in her mouth for quite a long time. She seems to enjoy it. Andy mentioned it felt like Disney World. After breakfast we walked around the hotel a bit - very beautiful. There is a waterfall, and a cage with cockatiels in it. Natalie really was in awe of the birds. I wish I had the camcorder at the time.

Natalie and Mom at The White Swan waterfall

Next we took a brief stroll to get a handle on our surroundings. We found 'Jessica's' where we will get our laundry done, and 'Jordon's' where the Morse's have recommended we shop for baby clothes. Along the boardwalk there were older people playing cards, younger people doing some exercises, and overall a calm atmosphere. It's very different from Changsha here. It feels much safer - perhaps it's the Western influence, I can't be sure.

Just before morning naptime in our room

Another big grin - she is having so much fun!

Mom, seriously, did you get my good side?

Today we are going out with our driver. I'm not sure what he will show us. We have learned much flexibility and patience - good skills for raising a child. :) Alicia