Coming Home - So long China

Yesterday, Tuesday, Steve and I got up early to find the government store we had gone to last year so we could find some nice gifts and have them fix my jade bracelet that broke. Our first mission was unsuccessful, but the second one they were open and if spending a lot of money means we were successful, then we were! When we got back to the room we started packing up our things and stayed in the room for our carb-fest again for lunch. We then went to the Consulate to get our papers essentially to be able to bring Joseph home with us, and had the ceremony pledging all our information was accurate. We were not allowed to take pictures there, but our guide took a group one hopefully we'll get later. That was the last appointment; it is all official!!

Recycling?

We decided that the bigger your vehicle is the more right a way you have in merging or turning. If you want to pull out you just do.

Horns beep constantly so having someone beep at you for cutting across

6 lanes of traffic and stopping all lanes until you get across is no big deal. If someone is in your way, you can just pass them on the sidewalk if you wish, and cross walks mean absolutely nothing!!

Time for a break!

Before going back out the boys had a helicopter war with remote control helicopters. On the way to one crashing it got stuck in my hair.

That night we ate again at Sinbad's, the Middle Eastern Restaurant, and had Yemen bread, and some great chicken dish. We then took a cab back to Shamian Island to walk around. We got home late and were finally able to sleep late!

We are so excited and can't wait to come home today!!!!!!! After breakfast, hopefully my last day of the daily fried rice for breakfast, we ventured out to find a park to fly the helicopter.

After crashing the helicopter we found an abandoned amusement park, so we thought.

The amusement park entrance which we think was closed. We were the ONLY people there.

None of the rides were going, but they let us in for less than fifty cents to play on the playground, we think.

We then went for our last authentic Chinese meal for lunch. We had been eyeing this Hunan Restaurant not far from our hotel. They call the babies from the province of Hunan the spicy babies. We thought we knew what we were getting into and that maybe we'd have some Kung Pao, Pao chicken like last year.

This was the spiciest food we had EVER eaten. Coleman ate a pepper and he said that side of his mouth went numb. We were sweatin' and laughin' throughout lunch. We determined this would be a great place to come to clear up your sinuses, and according to the guy at the next table hockin' it up, he agreed. I finally looked over at just the right time to catch him in the action.

We headed back to check out of the hotel and a friend had a surprise she had gotten at the store- she tried to pawn it off on us as she carried it with plastic bags.

Steve still hungry for a little pig face.

Back side with a little teeth and snout.

We are headed to Hong Kong in a few hours (our Wednesday night) to spend the night before heading out to Tokyo, Chicago and on to Nashville Thursday morning, your Wednesday night. We land Thursday night. Our Flight from Chicago lands September 24th 8:25p.m. Flight 7141 United. We hope to see you there. Signing off, no longer the Jackson 5!!

Back to Shamian Island

First of all Joseph's TB test came back negative today. Yeah!!!

Sunday we went back to Shamian Island to do some shopping. It was incredible to walk in a few stores and have people remember we were here last March getting our baby, May Lee. We had a good time looking around and bargaining. Most stores don't have prices on their items, and bargaining is expected. For those that remembered us, we were told, "I offer you best price." Joseph's favorite phrase was, "I want that!"

We came back to the hotel and then walked to an "Italian" restaurant for lunch. Joseph is such a good eater that we have to cut him off and tell him, "No more!" We can't believe he hasn't gotten sick yet.

After he finishes an adult portion he eats our leftovers! We then walked back to the hotel for the "paper party", where one parent sits and does a load of paperwork. Steve did it last year, so it was unfortunately my turn. I got lucky and didn't have to do as much as he did last year, because this time we were required to do a lot of it before we left.

About five families went out for dinner that night to the Latin Music and Brazil Grill. Here they cut slabs of various meats off a large skewer, as much as you want, along with an all you can eat buffet. We had gone there last year and loved it. This is also where they have the chocolate fountain and last year Coleman was dared to eat chocolate broccoli, and did. He said it was disgusting, but well worth the money Jarrett paid him. The chocolate fountain was good again, along with the Vanilla and Mango ice cream we had?!

Notice Joseph's clean plate! We had to cut him off again.

We were entertained with live music. One song even sounded like a Christmas song, but we couldn't figure out which one.

Today, Monday, we went to the Chen Family Temple, a local Folk Art Museum. It was even more beautiful than last year when we were here because of some renovations.

Joseph at the entrance to the temple.

Joseph's favorite posture, the lean - otherwise known as the lean and pull.

We determined this is why Asian men so often stand with their hands clasped behind their back. Smart!!

After the temple we went back to Shamian Island to the doctor to get Joseph's TB test. We were very relieved that the shot sight had cleared up dramatically and expected it today to be negative, but it is always nice to hear it for sure. We walked around a bit on the island. It was nice and comfortable, since we spent three weeks on the island last time. Joseph had the "I want its" again. I told him, "No" and he wanted to know why. I told him that we can't say yes every time he asks, and he said, "I know, because I want everything!" We even walked into a store and he asked me what

something was and I told him it was a computer. Of course he said, "I want that!" For lunch I had been looking forward to eating at Lucy's where they have "American" food. I got my usual (usual from last year) quesadillas.

We spent a little time at a local park just hangin' around.

We then walked through the markets off the island. There were streets and streets of everything you can think of for sale. They had many different spices and foods, from various roots, to dried starfish, snakes, and something that looked like huge roaches.

Lizard Anyone?

We finally got a cab home, back to our hotel, where we cheated death again, and again. Whether by van, bus, or cab, or even on foot, it is never a dull moment on the streets. We decided a great occupation to have here is to either sell break pads, horns, tires, or be a bicycle repairman. We were exhausted since we were gone most of the day, well, of course all of us except Joseph, so we ate dinner in the room, the healthy carb-fest again.

Got into Guangzhou late

We got into Guangzhou late and it was well after midnight when Joseph got in the bath. He said, "We go out now?" He is "on" all the time.

We were up early Saturday morning for Joseph's medical exam. Here he is trying to copy which picture the nurse is pointing to on the eye exam chart.

He had to have two shots. He was a little scared, but was very brave and did not cry! We go back Monday to check the TB skin test.

Picture- We then went to a French Walmart called Carefour that has four levels, to get groceries for the rest of the week. Your grocery cart wheels lock in place on the escalator. We of course saw many things we thought were unusual. One example was the six shelves of different kinds of Pringles. Other than the Seaweed, Shrimp, Crab, and Green Cucumber, they also had others like Breezy Blueberry and Revitalizing Kiwi. Once again we did the "when you see a lot of
people- it must be good" thing.

The city view outside of our hotel room, on the 32nd floor.

Our ears pop/stop up every time we go up and down the elevator. We eat breakfast on the 45th floor that is a revolving restaurant.

The country view.
After getting a little more settled in the room, we ventured out for dinner. We found the same restaurant, Sinbad's, we had taken a cab to last year when we were here with May Lee. This time we were able to walk, because we are staying more in the business district this year, and not on the island. We tried to remember what our friend had ordered for us, and were very glad when we saw a picture menu. They had great Middle Eastern food.

We got some serious stares!

Thursday was the first morning we had Joseph. We got some serious stares that morning, stop-in-your-tracks stares. At breakfast Coleman put his plate of food on a table to save for us, and two men came and sat down and started eating his food. There were no tables left, so we ate at a table right outside of the restaurant with an audience standing around us watching us eat as they talked about us. It was an "interesting" start to the day. We then went back to the Civil Affairs office for a couple of hours of paperwork. They rushed things for us so we could still leave from Shanxi, Joseph's province, on Friday, as originally planned. Thank you Lord!!

We then went to a Chinese Walmart. Check out the apples.

The Chinese writing didn't break the skin.

There the people were interested in us, yet pretty nice. They were very confused when we were trying to buy things for Graham, when they only saw two boys. Joseph has been our little interpreter when he can. Earlier we had asked him to tell our driver "okay" to show we understood, and Joseph looked at him and said, "okay", in English. We all had a good laugh at that one, even the driver.

This could be the longest word we've ever seen.

We got back to the hotel and the boys put together Joseph's new lego tank he had gotten while I started packing up. We then went out to a local mall to find an extra suitcase. Joseph helped us out in bargaining for the suitcase. On our way back to the hotel, rolling our suitcase, we saw the same window still with a long line of people waiting to get food. So we figured it must be pretty good. We got in line and watched what most people got and just pointed at the same thing when it was our turn. It was a type of bread that actually got better the more you ate, or we could have just been hungry. One had something inside, Steve didn't like it and couldn't tell what it was, so that was all I needed to know - I'll pass.

Friday was our day to fly to Guangzhou, but not until 7:30 p.m.. We had to be out of the hotel by noon, so after breakfast we finished packing up and went back to the mall to try to fill Graham's wish list.

"Walking" to the mall. Maybe this is why they stare.

The lit floor of the 5 story mall.

Joseph found a new friend. Graham this one's for you.

We checked out of the hotel and went to the Shanxi Museum.

This province is thought to be where the Chinese civilization began, so there were many ancient artifacts that have been discovered in Shanxi. This area of the museum was like a tomb, a little scary to Joseph.

We then headed to the airport. We had to wait an hour to check in because our flight was delayed. That's when the imaginary baseball came in handy. It was nice to see everyone's face, because at the Beijing airport everyone had on masks. After a while it makes you feel like you should have one on too. After checking in and walking to security I see my name in bright bold letters taking the whole screen above me. "Oh, kind of neat," I thought, until I see all 8 screens with my whole name and only my name on them. I nervously proceed to another security area where they ask for my passport and for me to open my suitcase. They take out a bag and ask me what it was for, so I demonstrated shaving my legs to answer their question of what the can of shaving cream was, (with a sigh of relief). You can not take any liquids on an inter-country flight, so I must have had too many ziploc bags of unknown liquids. They didn't ask about it, but Coleman thought it was his green Skittles spray that was the real issue. We think he might be right.

Long couple of days

It has been a long couple of days, with not much sleep. We got in from the airport late last night or actually this morning and were up early for Joseph's medical exam and shots. Please pray his TB skin test comes back negative. More later after sleep.

Joseph already mastering the DS.

Our little interpreter makes shopping a little easier.

We played imaginary baseball at the Taiyuan airport. We should have a picture of the locals looking at us. They thought we were a little loco and we proved 'em right.

Sounds of silence

All,

Steve and Lynley will be with out internet access for a day or so. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers

Jarrett

Gotcha Day

Our first sighting of Joseph from the 5th floor window of the Civil Affairs Office as he got out of the car.

Our first encounter. He was very reserved, but you wouldn't know it now!

Joseph feeling more at ease.

Part of the Pizza Hut menu. We had fried calamari as our appetizer. Joseph loved it!