Pearl Market & Shamian Island

There was nothing official that we had to do today, so we went shopping!  First we headed over to the Pearl Market, which is a wholesale mall full of pearls and other gems. We heard there were thousands of stores there. It sure felt like it.

Next we headed to Shamian Island. It is right on the Pearl River, and most of the buildings were built by the English during their occupation in China. This is the place where all adoptive families used to stay, so it is really special to some families. To us it was just a place to get cheap souvenirs. 

Today it was so hot and humid that it reminded us of our last trip to China. We went swimming this afternoon. It was Sarah's first time swimming, and she was so adorable. She was a tiny bit apprehensive at first, but it did not take her long to really enjoy herself. 

We ate dinner at our favorite street in Guangzhou. I took pictures of things that make this place special. It is a crowded, dirty street, where vendors set out their goods on the street. There is nothing like this in the US. 

Sarah is starting to talk in English. She has started counting - one, two. She started calling Brig - Ge Ge Briggy (pronounced guh guh, which means big brother). She understands when we say lay down, take a bath or peekaboo. This little girl is a genius. 

The Pearl Market

Shamian Island

Brig and Rick trying out the excercise equipment

There are Banyan trees all over the island

This is how Sarah dealt with the heat

I can't control myself from taking her picture 

Swimming

Not quite sure what to think yet

Our Favorite Street in Guangzhou

They sell meat like this just out on a table with someone fanning it

A table of beans

Buckets full of water snakes, turtles and scorpions - yummy!

Fish

The "harvesting" table for the fish

This boy was playing on his iPad

Dinner tonight

Medical Exam and a Cruise

Today was Sarah's medical exam to see if she is healthy enough to enter the US. She was a champ as always. We saw our first glimpse of her grouchy side but it didn't last long. When it came time for her exam she pulled out the charm and had all the doctors and nurses wrapped around her finger. She is absolutely adorable. Right now she is going to sleep and has both of her hands wrapped around my arm. She is so tender and sweet. She is starting to say, 'hi mama" and "hi daddy" when she is talking to us. Sarah goes to sleep on her hands and knees and she loves to give kisses and hugs. She loves her baby doll too.  She smothers her baby with kisses and feeds her a bottle.

Tonight we joined our group and took a boat cruise along the Pearl River, the third largest river in China. We sailed right by the Canton Tower, which is the third tallest building in the world. We ordered Papa Johns pizza and enjoyed the beautiful weather. 

The Medical Exam

This is what her bad mood looks like 

Look how sweet she was for her exam

Another boring morning for Brig. He has a great attitude. 

This is Sarah just before she took her nap. She almost fell asleep standing up. 

Sarah and her baby

Rick introduced her to the escalator. We did these for hours with John

The Pearl River Cruise

Brig was part of the entertainment on the boat

Being a Tourist in Guangzhou

This part of the adoption trip has very little adoption stuff that has to get done. Most of our days are spent being tourists because we are basically waiting for Sarah to get a US visa. So today we got to see some amazing things. We went to a Buddhist Temple. Since today was Sunday we actually saw a lot iPod people actually worshipping. It was so interesting to watch people praying, offering fruits and peanuts to their gods, and singing. The people there seemed very sincere in their beliefs, and we even had people sharing their beliefs with us.

Next we went to an old Chinese mansion called the old Chen House that is now a center for local arts like bone carvings, embroideries and calligraphy. We purchased a Chinese scroll where they painted our family name. It was really cook to watch. The embroideries were nothing short of amazing. Then we hung out at the park. It is so hot and humid here. That is probably our only complaint. At one point I felt my legs they were sopping wet - not from sweat but from the humidity. It's a little too much. 

Sarah is doing so great. She makes adopting a two year old from a different country seem effortless and easy. She gets along with all three of us, she can eat almost everything, she is a trooper on all the tours and smiles and laughs all day. The only time we have heard her cry is when she bonks her head. Sarah is one of the cutest kids on the planet and SO easy to love!

The Buddhist Temple

This is the happy Buddah. If you rub his tummy you may have another child. I did not rub his tummy!

The three Buddahs representing past, present and future

So many people praying and worshipping

These are offerings to the Buddah

They light incense while they pray

This is the female Buddah 

The Old Chen House

The day god

It was so hot we stuck the kids in front of a fan. They loved it. 

Master Chen doing the calligraphy on our painting

Sarah is the cutest runner

Hanging with the locals at the park

Rearranging the stools at our restaurant