Monday October 19

It's been a week since we met Anna

A week of so many firsts, for her and for all of us!

There was nothing pressing on our agenda today except two things:

1) receive confirmation of the outcome of the tuberculosis test (blood draw) 

2) complete paperwork in preparation for our US consulate appointment on the 22nd

We received a phone call that the TB test was negative (that's a good thing, meaning she doesn't have it)

Michelle, Pauline and Anna caught a taxi and did some shopping on Shamian Island, a popular and well known spot among US adoption families as that's where the US consulate USED to be. I took the boys to a local park. The 3 ladies had a very fun & exciting time shopping, buying knick knacks and clothes, including a matching dress set for Anna and another little lady we know back home: Fei Kobes! 

Took a walk through some less familiar parts of the city. This was eerily quiet and a place I wouldn't quickly return to after dark!

Dylan loved the mini Palm trees. He called them Junior Helpers, a great term he/we learned from Uncle Cason!

Tons of banyan trees everywhere. 

Another seniors outdoor gymnasium. 

This little ride packs a very solid punch: you climb into a Sputnik-sized cage capsule, and a loving, responsible adult spins you around until the centrifugal force pushes the blood up to your face and your onderbrookie up to your armpits. The boys loved it : I really wish I could post videos on this blog!  Anyway, some of these kids park toys have long disappeared from North American public playgrounds, because of injuries and potential lawsuits, but China still has all the metal, rough and tumble rides, many of which I've never even seen!

Like the metal chairs welded to the spinning merry go round record player!

No bark mulch, no cushioned tiles.

3 of these are pedal powered, 3 are coasters.

If you mess this up, it's like a cheese grater on your shins!

All this beautiful scenery in the heart of a busy city! 

Saw some large brown hornets

And we caught a freakishly big black bumble bee with iridescent wings...

It was so peaceful. Many of the sights we've seen on this trip have changed my perspectives on this place...

Time to head home to meet the ladies back at the hotel!

Later that evening we went on a river cruise by Shamian Island. Here is the boarding lobby crowd waiting to get on the boat. A whole bunch of CCAI families and other adoption families were bussed from a number of hotels to the waterfront for a pizza dinner cruise. It was really nice!

Papa Johns Pizza was given to all families just before boarding...

Eating our pizza in the lower deck with other families. Anna devoured her pizza.

I took this picture for Clarence and Kelly. It's of the White Swan Hotel, and I'm about 40% certain they may have stayed there when they were here last for Fei.

Beautiful scenery, lots of buildings and boats all lit up

The cruise takes you up and down the river under many impressive bridges...

That tall building is the tallest in Asia... But not as big as the one in Dubai: can't recall the name...

Quite possibly my favorite picture of the evening

Hard to capture the wow! factor with an iPhone camera, but it was really special!!

We're all going to sleep well tonight!

Big day tomorrow: Anna turns three!