Consulate - done!

This morning (Wed) we visited the US Consulate to get the Visa for Emma finalized so it can be added to her passport. There were so many Chinese people waiting in line for their appointments so that they can travel to the US too (it was packed!). Think of Christmas shopping on Black Friday X 10! Essentially, paperwork is submitted and we are required to take the Oath of Citizenship for Emma. We were lucky to go when there was not a crowd in the adoption unit.

That was our last official business here and Emma’s passport will be delivered tomorrow afternoon. WOO HOOO! Just in time to leave early on Friday morning.

HAPPINESS!

Nanyue King Museum

Right down the road here from the hotel (walking distance) is the Nanyue King Museum. In the 80s, the locals had a piece of land they were to build on. Upon digging they found that they unearthed a rather large piece of history, Nanyue King Zhao Mo’s tomb. There were over 1,000 (at least) relics that are over 2,000 yearls old from the original tomb - a major discovery in China. It was very interesting! Glad that we could see it as it is a major part of the history of Guangzhou.

Guangzhou Riverboat

We took a tour of the Pearl River via the Guangzhou riverboat on Tuesday evening. It was really very nice. The Pearl River is named this because of all the pearl colored shells that lie at the bottom of the river in the section that flows through the city of Guangzhou. The last time we were here the river was filthy. This time they have cleaned it up a lot.

We ordered pizza to take on board for dinner. The first floor of the boat was a dining area, the second floor is also a dining area (but for the on board buffet), and then the third floor was an observation deck. They also had a juggling show for the kids.

Zhejiang Brewery, one of the three largest domestic breweries in China, is located on the Pearl River Delta within the city of Guangzhou. We tried some of the beer on Wednesday night at dinner. It was lighter than a Coor’s Light : )

Traditional Chinese Tea

We stopped in a great little shop for some gifts and they treated us to a traditional Chinese tea party. It takes forever! Even the Chinese people now think so…. traditions lost to time.

PS - Speaking of traditional things. Emma started secretly playing rock-paper-scissors with the Chinese lady sitting next to her. Who would have known that was a world-wide game!!

Chen House/Provincial Arts Center

Guangdong Museum of Folk Arts and Crafts to show the most characteristic Guangdong architecture. The temple is a compound consists of nine halls, six courtyards and nineteen buildings connected by corridors, all separated by walls from the outside world.

The intricate carvings were amazing. The photo that looks like a painting of flowers is actually embroidery. Even close up it appeared to be a painting. Just amazing works of art!

Temple of the Six Banyan Trees

We visited the temple in Guangzhou. It is one that is “real” and the community visited while we were there. Each community member visited and prayed to the different Buddhas. A service was going on as well. After entering by the mountain gate, the Tianwang Hall is the first hall you see. The Laughing Buddha is there with smile all over his face to welcome visitors. “Don’t Worry Be Happy” as our guide said. : )

PS- Banyan trees (as reflected in the name of the temple and the Train song Mermaid) are really cool! The roots grow up the trunk and they are huge.

Minion Training

Leola Elementary Friends - I am already training Emma for our favorite theme days - MINION DAYS!!

First airplane ride

We left Shenyang on Saturday morning to fly to Guangzhou for the next six days. I loved Guangzhou the last time we were there and I am really hoping for the same this year. The last time we stayed on an island called Shamian Island, which reminded me a little bit of South Carolina (see photo below). The buildings on Shamian Island, including the hotel we stayed at, have been under renovation for the past 5 years so we could not go there again.

This time we are staying at The China Hotel, which is a Marriot. It is EXTREMELY nice!!! All of the adoption groups are now staying here because since the hotel on the island was renovated it also became very, very expensive. I am glad we got to experience it the first time.

Emma’s first plane ride was a success! Now if we are outside she points out every plane she spots in the sky. She was exceptionally well behaved too.

Those culturally different things that make you giggle

Poland Spring water delivery

Home Depot delivery

City flowers (we cannot even get one lightbulb changed where we live let alone all of these)

Driving on the sidewalk for cars (yes really!), motor scooters, and bikes are accepted. When you hear the “beep beep” get out of the way or they WILL hit you.

A whole new meaning to leaving your dog in the car.

Emma wants us to bring this home. : ) Silly girl! Although she pitched a fit about it. No not $899 , $149 US - Still too much!!

Walmart

Yes, Walmart. The universal language of big store shopping. Except here, it is even less expensive than home. We needed to get directions to walk there from the hotel. So, the Concierge tells us in English and writes it down this way for us. TOO FUNNY!!

The Small Things

Finally!

There has not been a lot to take photos of the past couple of days. We only successfully conquered a few airplane flights and a couple of restaurants. Now though, we have Emma. She traveled 3 hours to the city we are in, Shenyang. It literally took us 30 seconds to fall in love with her. She came right over and popped herself on our laps with a cute little smile. So, today (while I have an internet connection- which is hard to come by), we have some photos!!

Emma’s teachers and Orphanage manager.

Apps- the universal language! We didnt even have to teach her to navigate this iPad.

Lunch and food is always a hit!

Long Day to get to Shenyang

We have learned that Chinese people seem to find that leaving a table in a restaurant with bowls, food spilled, plates all over and trash from their meal all over the floor is acceptable. For example a table of five had at least 8 napkins thrown all over the floor with food that dropped. This would be a great sample of what NOT to do in our school cafeteria! : )

Just a funny: Upon leaving the restaurant yesterday we almost stepped on a small Pomeranian type dog running by U.S.. There appeared to be no owner (for those of you that know me well... Not good for me to find a dog without an owner because then I must help it). The owner was actually there about 100 yards up waiting for the dog (much to Bob's relief). She was reprimanding and "shooing" the dog along. Her method of "shooing" was shaking a large, red 20" balloon attached to a 3 foot stick at the dog (no, I am not kidding! )

Today we traveled to Shenyang, a little more North in China. We met the other members of our group too! Everyone is so nice and it is definitely more comforting to be in a group. Even less English speaking people here in this town. The flight to Shenyang (today) was just over an hour, but we also were delayed due to storms. Lots of waiting. 

Ironically, one of our group members asked to pay tonight when we went out to eat and the waiter said "oh, two more beers??" We died laughing!! (backstory in previous post). 

Tomorrow we meet Emma. ❤️

We made it!

Beijing (Sat 7-17-15)  WE MADE IT!  This time in Beijing we stayed in the center of town.  Driving to our hotel, which is beautiful, I noticed we were on a street with stores like Cartier, Tiffany, etc. Not at all what we saw the first time here five years ago.  Our guide said that it was the center of town which is the prosperous district - HA no kidding.

Since we arrived at 5pm after a very long, long flight and sleeping little - we just wanted to eat and go to bed. Our guide recommended the Chinese restaurant next door to the hotel.  Anything outside of the hotel is a bit of an adventure. In my opinion since we don't speak Chinese, it is all an adventure!

The food was OUTSTANDING! We had soup, a noodle dish and spring rolls.  As we ate it was fun to people watch.  Since there was only one English speaking manager we were left to take our time which was fine.  We tried to pay once and ended up with the waitress bringing us two more beers. Hmmm, we needed a different strategy to ask to pay!

I wish I had a camera for this experience (but my phone battery died on the trip over).  When we were leaving we noticed that the tables that people ate at were trashed.

We are only here this time to rest and move on to Shenyang.

The Journey Begins

WELCOME EMMA

Just a little over a year ago we embarked on the adoption journey again. Our biological twins are now 20 years old.  Hope is 12 and we believe should not be without a sister closer to her in age.

A few weeks ago we received the referral for our daughter, Emma.  She lives, currently, in the Children's Welfare Institute in the city of Anshan, in the province of Liaoning, China.  She is 7 years old, but that is a guess they make so we are not certain that is true.  She certainly doesn't look 7 to me!

When Emma was younger she had a very bad case of pneumonia which created breathing issues, so her biological parents left her at a hospital so that she could receive the best care (that they could not offer her).  She is considered healthy now and they say there is a minor developmental delay.  After reviewing her information I don't think she will be delayed. Plus, her big sister Hope (now 12 years old) wants to be a teacher!  I am sure Emma will have 24/7 schooling by Hope, whether she likes it or not!

Chinese parents that are put in this position are always grateful that their children will receive care, live, and hopefully be adopted.  We were told that just from Emma's history in the orphanage, that she will do well in the U.S.  She is looking forward to being adopted.  As a 7 year old I am not sure she knows what that means, but Hope can allude to the fact that she won't be here long and she will love it! When we adopted Hope, we were constantly told by the Chinese (when we were there) how lucky Hope was to be afforded a good life in America.

As I type this today, July 6th, we just received notice that we will travel on July 17th. That is 10 days away!  Talk about little to no notice. We are spinning in circles but at the same time cannot wait to get there and back.  All hands are on deck. Our "big sisters", Cayla and Natalie, will be helping to hold down the Lancaster fort.   I am sure the trip will be as "entertaining" as it was last time. A great learning experience too!