Trip to China
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Saturday, August 16, 2008 Hello family and friends from Guangzhou! After attending a spectacular performance of the Lion King with Louis and Nathaniel the night before we left, and traveling for about 30 hours, we arrived very late Friday night after three flights including some excitement in Tokyo where we learned on landing that our flight to Guangzhou was cancelled. Bracing ourselves for a difficult time arguing with the airlines over how to get to Canton in a timely manner and whether we would get a hotel in Tokyo, we were pleasantly surprised to be shuttled easily on to the next flight to Guangzhou on Japan Airlines and actually to arrive one hour earlier. There are many American families in our group (37 families total and 11 heading to our province of Guangxi on Sunday). It has been delightful to meet the new families, to hear about their other children, and their (very diverse) lives in the States and to share our hopes and jitters over greeting "the babies" on Monday. Our one difficulty so far has been that one of our two pieces of luggage -- and the one containing everything for baby Eva -- was left behind by Northwest Airlines in Minneapolis. But Northwest called Colette's mom who gave them all forwarding information and we are reasonably hopeful that the luggage is on its way one day behind. If not, we will spend all of Sunday in the Carrefour in Nanning stocking up on baby supplies. So far, the only tears to have been shed were over that one piece of luggage ... Arrived at the beautiful White Swan Hotel Friday night and woke to see the magical and strong flowing Pearly River outside our window the next morning. Guangzhou is a large city of 13 million and an ancient one with history dating back 3000 years. The White Swan is on Shamian Island which was once an island deliberately separated from the rest of the city as an enclave for US and European consulates and embassies. This morning we breakfasted at the famous White Swan buffet eating our share of pork buns, noodles, and steamed beef along with eggs and croissant. We spent some time touring around the island, checking out the stores for clothes, toys and squeaky shoes (!) and meeting our travel group. All in all a restful day ... and babies everywhere. All through the White Swan, at breakfast, and in the elevators you see Chinese babies in the arms of Americans. Many so tiny but following each step closely, watching for the chopsticks with bits of rice and chicken and egg and for the congee cereal on the spoon. This afternoon we rested, chatted with Northwest about our bag, and had dinner with the whole group at a close-by Thai restaurant followed by drinks with new friends at the White Swan. More rest and relaxing than we have had in months and good preparation for what lies ahead. Tomorrow morning we catch an early flight to Nanning in neighboring Guangxi. Fingers crossed that Eva's bag shows up tonight. We are so pleased to have had this day of rest and orientation to this vast and beautiful country and to have seen Jiang Yue (the Pearl River) before traveling to meet our Jiangyue -- Eva Grace Jiangyue -- in less than 2 days. Love to all, Colette and Daniel

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