We just wanted to post a quick update that we are home safely and recovering from jet lag just fine... thanks for everyone's thoughts, prayers and kind words over the last few weeks. It's been great fun sharing this adventure with you! We look forward to seeing everyone soon.
Mary and Michael
Friday, March 13, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
There's No Place Like Home!
It's our last full day, so that means picture call! Gracie got all dressed up for the occasion.
We got some pics of all the babies (and big brothers and sisters) sitting on the 'red couch'. It was an effort to keep all those wobbly babies upright!
We ended with one big group photo of all the families together.
We head off to the US Consulate this afternoon to begin the transition to Gracie's citizenship! We're now off to hand our camera back to the family we borrowed it from and start to pack for our big voyage home.
Thanks for joining us on our journey, and we look forward to seeing everyone when we get home!
Love,
Mary and Michael
We got some pics of all the babies (and big brothers and sisters) sitting on the 'red couch'. It was an effort to keep all those wobbly babies upright!
We ended with one big group photo of all the families together.
We head off to the US Consulate this afternoon to begin the transition to Gracie's citizenship! We're now off to hand our camera back to the family we borrowed it from and start to pack for our big voyage home.
Thanks for joining us on our journey, and we look forward to seeing everyone when we get home!
Love,
Mary and Michael
The Penultimate Post
We looked out this morning to see a strange glowing orb in the sky that radiated both heat and light. While we were at first afraid of this strange object, we saw that the people of China were not terrified by this glowing orb of flames, and so we set aside our hotel umbrella and got on the bus! Gracie was happy to get out of the hotel room, now that her sniffles are a little better.
Today was our last day of touristy stuff. Tomorrow we pack up, get our visas, take the big group picture, take the group oath at the consulate, and get ready to head out for home, which means that this is the second-last blog in the series!
Today we drove around downtown Guangzhou (population 9 million- a medium-sized city by China standards), and saw the city's most famous Buddhist temple and its folk art/historical museum.
Here's a shot inside the Buddhist temple.
The temple was built around this incredible 9-story pagoda.
The center of the temple has three Buddhas. From left to right, they represent the past, the present and the future.
The babies (and some parents!) received a blessing from the Buddhist monk within the temple. Both Mary and Gracie received the blessing.
We liked being out in the sun!
Here's part of the inside of the folk art museum.
And here's a candid shot from our day which we've entitled 'Get that camera out my face yo!'
Today was our last day of touristy stuff. Tomorrow we pack up, get our visas, take the big group picture, take the group oath at the consulate, and get ready to head out for home, which means that this is the second-last blog in the series!
Today we drove around downtown Guangzhou (population 9 million- a medium-sized city by China standards), and saw the city's most famous Buddhist temple and its folk art/historical museum.
Here's a shot inside the Buddhist temple.
The temple was built around this incredible 9-story pagoda.
The center of the temple has three Buddhas. From left to right, they represent the past, the present and the future.
The babies (and some parents!) received a blessing from the Buddhist monk within the temple. Both Mary and Gracie received the blessing.
We liked being out in the sun!
Here's part of the inside of the folk art museum.
And here's a candid shot from our day which we've entitled 'Get that camera out my face yo!'
Sunday, March 8, 2009
The Rain in Guangzhou Falls Mainly on... Your Toe?
Last night, we decided to tour our hotel after dinner. Mary and Gracie stopped for some photo ops.
This is the Pearl River, adjacent to our hotel. The hotel's restaurant (where we enjoy their breakfast buffet- mmm-mmm- they have edible things other than banana bread!) has one whole side facing the river with floor to ceiling windows. It's a nice view...
This morning, Gracie was sniffly and it was cold and rainy out, so Mary went on the tour while Mike stayed back at the hotel with Gracie. Mary got to see some of the sights in Guangzhou.
She went by the "Snake House"... she considered stopping in to see if they had take out to bring back, but thought better of it.
Gracie's already feeling better (she took a good nap this morning), so we're optimistic she'll be up for going to the Buddhist temple tomorrow!
This is the Pearl River, adjacent to our hotel. The hotel's restaurant (where we enjoy their breakfast buffet- mmm-mmm- they have edible things other than banana bread!) has one whole side facing the river with floor to ceiling windows. It's a nice view...
This morning, Gracie was sniffly and it was cold and rainy out, so Mary went on the tour while Mike stayed back at the hotel with Gracie. Mary got to see some of the sights in Guangzhou.
She went by the "Snake House"... she considered stopping in to see if they had take out to bring back, but thought better of it.
Gracie's already feeling better (she took a good nap this morning), so we're optimistic she'll be up for going to the Buddhist temple tomorrow!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The White Swan
It's our first full day in Guangzhou, and the rain and cold followed us from Nanchang. We walked to the medical clinic for Gracie's check up, and she passed with flying colors. She also got her visa picture taken. This was the last of the 'official proceedings' for the trip, and now we chill out and tour until the visa is approved on Tuesday. Here are some of the things we did this afternoon:
Gracie enjoying lunch... she actually ate some chicken conge off a spoon- an exciting first!
Hooray for high-quality caffeine!
Gracie bundled up to keep the clothing police happy- and because it is a bit cool here.
The street next to the hotel...
Inside the hotel lobby... does this rock or WHAT?
Gracie enjoying lunch... she actually ate some chicken conge off a spoon- an exciting first!
Hooray for high-quality caffeine!
Gracie bundled up to keep the clothing police happy- and because it is a bit cool here.
The street next to the hotel...
Inside the hotel lobby... does this rock or WHAT?
Laughing Like Crazy Cakes
Let's see if this works... the camera that John and Lisa let us borrow has a video option and we played with it during Gracie's first big laugh. We had to compress it to get it to fit on the blog. Here it is...
Friday, March 6, 2009
Next Stop: Guangzhou
We hit the road out of Nanchang this afternoon, and arrived safely in Guangzhou this evening... we are now settling in to the White Swan Hotel, which is the MOST FABULOUS hotel in the world. Okay, we haven't seen that many, but it has to be up there... but here's how our journey went...
First, we bounced out of Nanchang passing by its famous Wal-Mart Super Center...
Next, we crossed a cool looking bridge over a famous river that we're too tired to Google the name of... feel free if you have the time... it is guarded over by some crazy looking cats!
We made a whole bunch of new friends in the Nanchang airport... and let's just say that when it came time to board our flight, they didn't live by the credo of women and children first...
We decided in the hour before we boarded, this would be a good time for Gracie to finally meet Mr. Piggly Wiggly. They were going to be flying together and sharing a seat, so they may as well be introduced.
She was a super champ on the 1 1/2 hour flight... she had a bottle on the way up, and slept through the whole flight. While mommy and daddy were pulling at their ears and whining, she was sawing Z's... and now we're all in for the night. This city is incredible, and we'll be posting a slew of pics in the days to come...
Lastly, we close with a final shout out to the cast and crew of "Into the Woods" to break a leg.
First, we bounced out of Nanchang passing by its famous Wal-Mart Super Center...
Next, we crossed a cool looking bridge over a famous river that we're too tired to Google the name of... feel free if you have the time... it is guarded over by some crazy looking cats!
We made a whole bunch of new friends in the Nanchang airport... and let's just say that when it came time to board our flight, they didn't live by the credo of women and children first...
We decided in the hour before we boarded, this would be a good time for Gracie to finally meet Mr. Piggly Wiggly. They were going to be flying together and sharing a seat, so they may as well be introduced.
She was a super champ on the 1 1/2 hour flight... she had a bottle on the way up, and slept through the whole flight. While mommy and daddy were pulling at their ears and whining, she was sawing Z's... and now we're all in for the night. This city is incredible, and we'll be posting a slew of pics in the days to come...
Lastly, we close with a final shout out to the cast and crew of "Into the Woods" to break a leg.
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