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!!