Guangzhou

So sorry, I didn't get this posted earlier.  There was no update yesterday, but I had some things I had to complete this morning before I left for school and didn't have a chance to post the pictures and update.

Dwight writes this one...
We left Hohhot yesterday morning.  Everything went smooth at the airport.  Then the flight began and the airplane wasn't the only thing that went south.  Phoebe slept for about 20 minutes, but when she woke up, everyone on the plane knew it.  Then we went through strong turbulence for about an hour, boy was that fun.  We were completely drained by the time we landed in Guangzhou.  Not looking forward to the trip home.

We have a nice room at Marriott China Hotel.  There are a bunch of other adoptive families staying here which is neat.  Me and girls slept good, but Shana was up with Phoebe quite a bit.
Phoebe had a fun bath time this morning, then we had a wonderful breakfast.

Carsen and Gracie were smitten with a young Russian named Oleg who is a guest services employee here at the hotel.  They both hope to see Oleg again tomorrow.

Phoebe had her medical appointment today, the TB shot included.  Both Shana and Phoebe were in tears.  It wasn't a good time.  We had to complete more paperwork with our guide back at the hotel, but then we finally got to get out and hit the streets of Guangzhou.

There is an incredibly beautiful park just across the street from the hotel.  We rented what was advertised as a "luxury yacht", for a getaway on the water.  We all had a great time on that little boat. Phoebe went to sleep and the rest of us had some laughs as we cruised the waterways.  Nothing takes your troubles away quite like the open sea (or a large pond).

We're all looking forward to a trip to Shamien Island tomorrow.  We'll let you know how that goes.

Side note from Erica: Guangzhou is in southern China close to Hong Kong.  This is the location of the American consulate (as well as many other countries' consulates) in China.  They have to appear before the consulate in order for Phoebe to become an American citizen.

The medical appointment is to make sure that Phoebe is well enough to enter the United States.  There are probably a hundred people there getting checked out.  Many of them are adoptive families. Guangzhou is the hot spot for adoptive families because of the consulates. The hotels cater to adoptive families and have a "Western" breakfast and playrooms for the children.

Shamien Island used to be the location of the American consulate.  It is an island on the Pearl River  that has lots of shops with TONS of souvenirs.  If you know much about Chinese adoption, this is the location of "The Red Couch" at the White Swan Hotel.  When the consulate was on the Island everyone stayed at the White Swan.  They have remodeled it now, so I don't know if there's a red couch or not!

Pictures...

I love Gracie!!!  And that she carries me. :)

"Luxury Yacht"

At the park

There's nothing like a boat to put you to sleep!

Worn out from a long day!

At the airport (in Beijing?)

Where's the rubber ducky?