Sunday, February 15, 2009

Did I mention how much we love being back in Guangzhou? We love everything except the fact that it is hotter than blazes! Honestly, we’ve taken showers after each time venturing outside. The forecast said 76 degrees and Partly Sunny…it feels like 96 with all of the humidity and smog! Yuck! But, beyond that, GZ is awesome!

Today, we visited the Baiyun Mountain and Gardens. It is amazing. We spent about an hour and a half walking through the gardens, looking at all of the landscape and horticulture, unique to China. Sharon and I really loved it. Then, we took a cable car up to the top of the mountain. It was about a 15 minute ride. Once at the top, we were able to catch a panoramic view of the city below…well, at least that is what we were supposed to see…the city below. All we saw was smog. If it were a clear day, it would have been breath-taking!

We took a golf car back down the mountain. It was a nice ride, except for our driver beeping the high-pitched horn every 3.2 seconds…no joke. The path down is similar to a typical Chinese street: pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, golf carts, wagons, and big wheels all going in different directions….I still don’t get it!

Anyway, this afternoon, we headed back to Shaiman Island to do some shopping. Caiya’s daddy bought her three pair of shoes: two of them called ‘squeaky shoes.’ These are adorable shoes made for toddlers. We got Caiya a brown pair of Mary Jane’s with an orange and lime green flower on them and then a pair of black and white sandals. Then, we found a pair of red silk Mary Janes that will match her traditional Chinese dress.

All of the clothes we brought for Caiya are way too big! 2T does not fit her at all. 18 month is ok, but still big. I guess it’s not that common for a toddler to be completely potty trained by age 2 ½ in the U.S. The pants are way big in the belly and bottom :)

During dinner tonight, Caiya indicated she had to go potty. So, Jeremy threw me the pack of wipes and wished me good luck…as the restrooms were NOT the Western toilets. Lauren thought I’d need help, and boy was she right! I started gagging while carefully holding Caiya so she wouldn’t wet on herself, Lauren placed a wet wipe under my nose so I could breathe something ‘fresh.’ We both laughed hysterically as we left the restroom!

We are all having a blast here, but are really starting to look forward to getting home, too. Tomorrow is Caiya’s Visa Medical Exam and photo appointments, Tuesday morning, we have an appointment of some sort (can’t recall right now) and then Wednesday is the Visa Ceremony. So, we are definitely on the home stretch, now!

Lastly, I am happy to report that Daddy has finally won over his “Miss Thing!” She let him carry her during most of the shopping trip this afternoon, help feed her, and even walked down to Lauren and Grandma’s room for a few minutes! Of course, he loves every single second of it!