Sight seeing

[Daniel]

The last few days we've just been sight seeing.  The purpose of our stay in Guangzhou is to get a US travel visa for Katie so we can travel home.  The turn around is slow.  On Saturday morning she had a medical checkup required by the US and in the afternoon we completed some finial visa application paperwork.  Tuesday the 28th is our visa appointment at the US Consulate just a few blocks away.

Otherwise, we have had free time.  So our guide has arranged for morning sight seeing activities and then we're back for the babies afternoon naps.  Yesterday was shopping at the official government store and the to a big mall.  There were many interested items both traditional and modern.  Today we visited two Buddhist Temples, one is "active" and the other a museum.  It was very interesting seeing those worship and the detail on the structures was amazing.  They performed a blessing for the babies.... We could not understand what they said and we aren't Buddhist... but I guess it's the thought that counts.  The museum was undergoing a repainting and our guide said it took 3-5 years to paint all the multi-colored detail wood carvings.  Many of the walls and ceilings were hand carved wood at an unbelievable level of detail.  Like most days it was hot and humid (heat index of 105) and all were getting spent after a few hours.

Since all US parents adopting must pass through Guangzhou for the US visa, many stay in the White Swan hotel where we are.  The area has developed many businesses that cater to US families.  The breakfast is great with many Chinese items and many American items.  My usual is french toast, bacon cooked right, chocolate bread, tater tots and OJ.  The eggs are still under cooked, both scrambled and hard boiled.  I had been considering a hard boiled egg until today when I saw a lady at the next table crack her egg.  The look on her face was all the info I needed.

There is a restaurant called Lucy's that has more American style food.  We when there last night and ordered Mexican... yes, I know.  I got the chicken burritos and Debbie the chicken quesadillas.  Our meals were OK .... it sounded so good, but really, what are the odds of getting Mexican food in China.  They have an "All American Hamburger" ... oh, how I want it to be so.

Katie has been taking two naps a day.  One in the morning when we're out and one in the afternoon.  She has been preferring Debbie lately so she will fall asleep in the baby carrier (snugly).  Katie will fall asleep against Debbie while we are out... with a 105 heat index it gets very hot.