Monday, October 20, 2008

Today was a very important day. This was the day that our guide walked our documents to the Consulate so that we can receive a visa for Logan to enter the US.

We had a leisurely breakfast this morning. We noticed another American couple eating at the table next to us. We realized it was Monday which is when most GOTCHA DAY's occur. We saw them glancing at their watches repeatedly so we started chatting with them. Sure enough, they were counting down the hours to their GOTCHA DAY. They were waiting for their little boy who was traveling from an orphanage 5 hours away. They were full of excitement and it made us reflect on our Gotcha Day with Logan just 1 week ago. It feels like we have known him so much longer. He has changed so much in a week. We just can't wait to get him home. We think he believes that "real life" is living in a hotel with a breakfast buffet!

After breakfast we had to stay in our room until we received the "all clear" call from our guide saying that our paperwork had been accepted by the Consulate. At 11am our guide called to let us know that it was accepted. We then left to drop off laundry and walk around the island. We ate lunch and then headed back to the hotel as we had a 1pm appt to meet our guide to go to the toy and electronics market. As the meeting time approached I just did not want to go. We have been running non-stop since we got here and I just wanted to relax. Brandon took Kiah with him and I stayed back in the room with Logan hoping to get him down for a nap. He did fall asleep and I watched Fast Food Nation and the Horse Whisperer. Brandon and Kiah finally made it back to the room at 3:30pm. By that time I was going stir crazy in the room so we went out for a walk.

We decided to eat an early dinner and I talked Brandon into going to the Thai restaurant here on the island. We have eaten there the last 2 times we have been here so I wanted to do it again. I know that everyone loves this place but we must have come on a bad night. The service was HORRIBLE. I stood around with Logan in my arms for almost 10 minutes waiting for a high chair while the staff chatted. We ordered a couple of plates of food and by the time the meal was over and we received the check... I was blown away by what we just paid for that meal. I told Brandon that I would limit my complaining to 1 whole minute. I used that minute up and I tried to forget about it. Oh Well. We will hope for better next time. ;-)

We took the kids for ice cream and to play at the park. GOODNESS... the kids got so messy that we had to give them another bath! We ended the evening with cheerios and bedtime.

Tomorrow we will be going on a "safari". I put that in quotes because we don't really know what that means or what to expect. I asked if that meant we were going to the Guangzhou zoo. Our guide Bob said "No... we are going on a safari". OK. We have to meet in the lobby at 8:30am. He also told us that we would be walking at least 2 hours and then riding the rest of the time. We have been laughing because it seems that each time we go site-seeing we encounter steps or hills! The Mausoleum had 392 steps (yes, I remember the exact number). The Nanjing zoo was all UP-HILL! The Botanical Gardens was UP-HILL as well. I guess we will be working off our breakfast!

In the afternoon we will be going to the Consulate to take the oath and pick up Logan's Visa. That is the final step in the process. We will then be flying home on WEDNESDAY!!!

Stay tuned for our safari adventure!