Friday, February 24, 2006

Guangzhou is the Las Vegas of China.

It of course does not have all the gambling and such...but it is a better-lit city than any other I've been to. (I haven't been to Shanghai though) It's a happening place and I love coming here because it just seems a little looser...the hustle and bustle a bit more cheerful and the shopping is the best.
We went for Wenyan's medical examination and vaccinations. She is of course as healthy as she looks. The only undesirable was that she needed three shots/vaccinations in order to be brought up to date. She took it well, with just a few grimaces. I took video of it all and afterward the vice-director told me he remembered me from when I brought Sophie in August of '03 for her check-up. (I don't see why he would remember me...I pretty much blend into the background of any situation :) So I had to get a picture with him...

After that, a ton of paperwork - which for me is the "going through labor" of adoptive parents. It might not physically hurt as much, but it's a seemingly endless water-drip mind torture that lasts much longer. On the bright side, it's good for dads who don't have to hear stories about their tiny role contrasted with the pain and resultant stretchmarks from giving birth. Please, no angry emails from women who have given birth...I do not wish to belittle anyone's very real pain and stretchmarks; just putting out some silver linings for potential adoptive fathers...

We really enjoy the ambience and activity of Shamian Island. While walking along the river, Wenyan and I stood and watched a dance class with all sorts of couples learning what appeared to my unschooled eye to be a kind of ballroom/traditional dance. The couple that struck me most was one where a young woman was being taught by an expert instructor (see picture)...simply charming.

Another priceless scene that I took video of from a distance was one where an older gentleman was doing Tai Chi. All of a sudden, in the middle of his beautiful routine, he straightened up as if struck by an epiphany and paused, his head bent and twisted upward to one side, then he reached over to his left, stretching his arm in a downward sweep...to his jacket pocket which he reached into, got out his cell phone and started talking.

I realize this post has not been a lot about Wenyan. She was very tired today and not very active, but accompanied us sedately and dutifully on many errands and to-do's (the three shots to begin with didn't help either.) She watched Mommy in action get a great deal on traditional Chinese clothing on a shopping trip to the children's clothing mart. When the first counter-offer to the shop-owners' stated price was refused, Susan immediately started to put many of the items back on the shelves saying that she would buy fewer items if there was to be no volume discount...the proprietor immediately accepted the counter-offer. (Great shop though. After we get back we will post some pics of the clothes and info on the shop itself. meanwhile, here is a pic of Sophie in one of the outfits we bought at the same shop when we were here in August '03)