January 5-6, 2007
LEAVING HAIKOU, CHINA
 
As we pack up in preparation to leave Haikou, we realize how blessed we are. We stayed at one of the nicest hotels in the city, but yet the entire group is looking forward to going back to Guangzhou (food we know and can eat, beds that are a little softer, flushing toilets in most places, TV channels in English, hi-speed internet, etc).

Haikou is a nice city, but you cannot turn a corner without seeing a series of single car garage stalls that house different family businesses. Gorgeous high rises are being built next to buildings that appear to be falling apart (but are occupied). While we are concerned with finding good food, most of the street vendors have to create a small open flame to cook their lunch or dinner. Usually the street markets start the day at 7 or 8 in the morning and they are still selling their wares until 10 or 11 at night, bartering and bickering over every banana or beaded necklace.

The beaches and golf courses of Haikou are nice, but we were fortunate to see some of the real culture in Haikou (not just the postcard images). It helps us to know that this is the privileged lifestyle and yet most people are hauling recyclables on rickshaws or working in rice fields near the sea. Gabby most likely would never have seen these “city” opportunities, growing up in Xuwen. We are so glad to be taking her home to friends, family and a real land of opportunity. This trip has really brought an appreciation for what we have as U.S. citizens.

Our weary group of 5 families that traveled to Haikou is looking forward to the trip back to Guangzhou as this also marks the final countdown to our departure back to the states. We have our Consulate appointment on January 10th and then receive travel visas to the U.S. for our daughters 24-36 hours later. For those that followed our trip to adopt Grace, this journey is 10 days longer than the previous one for Grace, due to new province and US Consulate restrictions plus the New Years holiday. Gabby will be traveling with a Chinese passport and US visa. She is not considered a U.S. citizen until we clear customs in Minneapolis, MN. The importance to this is that we must make our airline connections in Tokyo or else spend the night in the Northwest club, because Gabby does not have clearance to leave the secure areas of the airport and enter any other foreign country than the U.S. We may try and watch the movie “The Terminal” with Tom Hanks to brush up on our survival skills if we get stuck in an airport. This is just my joke as Northwest Airlines has been more than accommodating to our family needs.

Speaking of appreciation, we also want to thank Xixi (CeeCee) our guide and the folks at Harrah’s Family Services in Houston, TX for taking such good care of us. Most everyone in our travel group has caught colds, stomach viruses or had a medical issue or two. Xixi, Nancy and Bob are Chinese natives and all work for Harrah’s here in different parts of China. They are taking care of our families as we come and go. While we are in Haikou, there are also some families in Quingyuan (where Grace is from) and Guangzhou. Each has daily contact with the Harrah’s team here in China. Xixi has taken all of the older (3 and 4 year old) girls under her wing as they adapt to being “big sisters”. She buys them little trinkets, finds fruits and candies that they can safely experiment with. Xixi takes there hands and spends time with the girls as parents start to wear out. Xixi cannot replace Grandma who has spent the most time with Grace, but she has become like a big sister to these girls. We are so blessed to have worked with Harrah’s. We cannot thank them enough.

I did receive an email remarking about the beautiful weather we always post. We have yet to see a drop of rain since landing in Hong Kong on December 21st, but it has never gone above 60 degrees (most often less than 50) and there is always a cold/clammy wind. This has been a contributing factor to many of the illnesses, especially the babies since they are accustomed to warmer climates. Our family has the sniffles and Gabby coughs nightly, but we are in relatively good condition. Tonight we will let you enjoy the photos of Haikou, while we head back to Guangzhou for the final leg of this adventure.