I can’t believe this was our last full day in China. And brother let me tell you…it was full.
Carmi was up and out of the room early this morning. She and one representative from each of the other three families had to make the 40-minute drive to the American Consulate and get a new affidavit of vaccination notarized. This affidavit is basically a promise that we’ll have our children’s vaccinations up-to-date within 30 days of our return to the US. The group was gone from 8:00 am to around 10:45.
While Carmi was away, I got the kiddos up and we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the White Swan buffet. After eating, we had to explore the incredible waterfall inside the hotel as well as the fish in the pool at the base of the waterfall. These fish are big enough to eat Karys in one gulp.
Once everyone returned from the consulate, we walked to a nearby restaurant for lunch. This was the restaurant we first experienced during Karys’ adoption trip that has a seafood market of sorts in the front. Visitors to the restaurant may pick what they’d like to eat so you are guaranteed a fresh meal.
There are normal seafood selections like fish and lobster-lookalikes. Then there are these tasty morsels:
I asked Zane, through the translator, if he eat these things. He unmistakably assured me that he does not.
We then loaded up in our tour bus and headed to “pedestrian street” and the electronics market for some shopping.
As soon as we walked into the electronics market, we saw this counter with Nintendo DS’s and games so that’s where the majority of our time was spent. Most of the games were “downloads” onto a game chip. There were very few original DS games. But I found one (Mario Kart) and bought it for Eliana. I bought another Chinese game for Zane who was one happy camper when we arrived back at the hotel.
There were DS units that normally cost $130 back home being sold for only $70. One of our families started to purchase one when, at the very last moment, the seller (in the white shirt) admitted that the unit was refurbished and packaged as “new”. The family thanked him for his honesty and then told him he could keep it.
All four of our families worked up quite an appetite and enjoyed dinner together at Lucy’s.
Before returning to the hotel, we stopped at a deli next to the White Swan and ordered a couple of cakes for our birthday celebration tomorrow. Lastly we ventured into another store also next to the White Swan and purchased a traditional silk jacket for Carmi and silk outfits for Zane, Eliana and Karys. I bought myself an outfit on “pedestrian street”. We’ll model them all tomorrow in our official “red couch” photo session.
Zane came out of the bathroom after finishing his shower tonight and said “Babba” which is Chinese for father. I looked and he had pulled up one of his t-shirt sleeves to show me a red area where one of his shots had been administered yesterday. Poor guy was having some soreness.
Before going to bed, Eliana had a chance to “video chat” one more time with her 1st grade class back home.
I am really glad to know that Zane has a discrimenating pallet and doesn’t eat bugs and other creepie crawlies. Its nice to know that they didn’t feed him that in the orphanage along with cheese and sweets. I’m looking forward to tomarrow’s red couch picture. Those fish really are big, great pictures. Does Carmi take any of them?
Sorry that Zane is having soreness but I loved that he said “Babba”—I know—it’s the little things in life! Like Reba, I’m glad that the creepy things aren’t part of Zane’s diet. SO looking forward to the “red couch” picture tomorrow. I hope that the new games keep Eliana and Zane busy on the upcoming long flight. We are MORE THAN READY to have y’all back home. Praying that tomorrow will be a fun day for you. Hopefully Zane will not be too sad—going to Disneyland with his old buddy should give him something to look forward to in the immediate future. Love and hugs. Can’t wait to see y’all.
“Nobody Likes Me. Everybody hates Me, Guess I’ll Go Eat Worms” Uh, on second thought..I’ll pass.
Glad you found Mario Kart. Good choice. It’s a favorite of mine on the GameCube.
Oh I felt so sorry for Zane and his sore arm. It made me want to fly to China and give him granny hugs, kisses (opps, not the Chinese way), and Tylenol for his arm. Well, I can tell that If I keep up with this younger generation I’m going to have to get a Nintendo DS for myself! Maybe when you get to CA Doug can help me with the CamCord so Zane can see me. What a fabulous trip you all have had. You may be on the redeye coming back to the US, but I bet I know a bunch of tired puppies who’ll sleep most of the way! See you Sunday.
Those worms and bugs just about made me gag. :gulp:
YUCK!! :exclaim:
By the way, has Carmi bought a purse yet? I know they can be very tempting.
The waterfall is so beautiful. Hard to believe it is inside a hotel. I can not believe how close you were abe to get to the waters edge and the fish.
Our prayers are with you. May each flight be safe and uneventful and pass quickly. In a few more hours those squatty potties will be history at least until your next visit.? We look forward to your arrival Sunday.
Thank you for allowing us to tag along with you through the wonderful world of computers.
Love,
Jen
Sounds like you had a VERY busy day!! I must say, hearing that Zane called you Baba brought tears to my eyes!!
So glad to hear that your sweet boy doesn’t like worms and bugs!!
Can’t wait to see the official Henderson red couch picture!! We will be praying for safe travels and quick flights!! Enjoy your stay in CA!!
Reading about Zane calling Doug, “Babba”, brought tears to my eyes. What a big God we serve that can bring families together across the world! Praying for your safe return home. We look forward to meeting Zane.
Doug, I’m sure that thrilled your heart to hear those words. I hope you had tylenol on hand for him. Remember he had more than one shot. Ouch! :shut:
As for the delicacies, yuck! :sick: I so remember seeing them there.
I think when we finally get to go again it will be harder to leave this time. Who knows when we would get to go back.
Interesting how one word “Babba” can be music to your ears, isn’t it? I pray that this last leg of your journey will go as well as the rest of it has gone. It’s been great sharing it all with you through the pictures on the website. Love to all.
Our Chinese guide joked that the Cantonese people eat everything on land except automobiles, everything in the air except airplanes, and everything in water except boats!