Free time

In our last episode, I was sick, and denied meds. After blogging last night, I sought out the 24 hour hotel doc, who examined me and gave me antibiotics, an expectorant, and cough syrup. Woohoo! Thus, I am much better today! Thank God for 5 star hotels!

This is truly the best hotel I will ever stay in: check out the website www.whiteswanhotel.com to see for yourself! Do I feel guilty living, even temporarily, in the lap of luxury, while less than a mile away, children only a little older than Libby sell flowers on the street outside restaurants at all hours of night? Well, yes--but I was surely grateful for the amenities last night.


Today we woke up, had the enormous White Swan breakfast, and hit the streets of Guangzhou to buy Chinese clothing for Lulu and Libby, to prepare for the traditional "red couch" photo for which all adopted Chinese babies/kids must pose, however unhappily. We got two gorgous purple silk outfits, traditional shoes, and a plethora of other "souveniers"--trinkets, gee-gaws, what-have-yous. After that we went to the pool, then changed the kids into their new outfits.

The red couch photo op was crazy, with crying babies, frenzied parents, and, in the middle of it all, camera-phobic Libby. Somehow the pictures got taken.

Dinner was pizza on an evening boat cruise along the Pearl River. Guangzhou at night is splendidly alight with neon--some of it very creative and dazzling. It was a nice way to end our day--our last full day and night in this city.

Libby and Mom time was spent at the game room. Libby has become quite an air hockey ace!

Tomorrow we visit the American consulate, then fly to Beijing, arriving late at night. We are staying in a hotel close to the airport, and will fly back home the next day. So our trip is nearly at an end.

Poor Lulu is in for an awful shock, when she finally reaches her permanent home, and realizes it is a far cry from the hotel rooms in which she's been living. I know I will suffer a reverse culture shock, too--I'll be driving more than I'm walking, cooking and cleaning instead of just eating, and dealing with people who don't invariably treat me to warm smiles and courteous speech!

But it will be wonderful to see all our family and friends--I have missed you all. I can't wait to introduce you to our darling Lulu. Good night!