Nihao from Guangzhou! We made it to China at around 9:30am.
China customs and immigrations was easier than we expected. A
guide met us at the airport and took us to the hotel to
check-in. The hotel is beautiful and has everything we need.
We've already indulged in the Starbucks, which is right inside
the hotel. Our guide just kind of left of without giving much
information so we were on our own for the afternoon. Today is
the last day of Chinese New Year so a park across the street is
still celebrating the festival. The park is called YueXiu Park
and it was filled with silk exhibits from the New Year. It was
really neat. You can't cross the street or you'll get run over
so to get there you need to go underground in the metro. We of
course got lots of double takes since we were the only
caucasians there. The people here are very friendly and try to
be helpful with their limited English.
Tonight around 6pm 2 families called our room and invited us to
dinner. They are 2 of 6 other families that our agency has over
here now. One couple has 3 adopted kids from China and 1 bio
(this couple is adopting from Guangdong province as well), and
the other couple has 3 girls and has already received their boy.
He seems to have adjusted well and looks to be about 3.
We had no idea where to eat so we picked a Cantonese restaurant
a couple blocks up. As we were waiting outside for our table 3
men with sawed off shotguns ran into the restaurant. We about
bolted! It turned about to be a money collection (like Brink's
at home). They were very serious and were really hustling...so
funny. The menu was... hmmm... interesting. We stuck to the less
adventurous stuff towards the back and it was delicious! We had
rice noodles with beef, bok choy, green beans with minced
meat(?), and rice. It's served on a round tray in the center and
we all share. Yummy!
So tomorrow is the big day so we are getting to bed. Got to
skype with the boys and they were a little freaked out about us
on video. We miss you terribly and love you lots! These pictures
are for you!
