Friday July 15

Well really it was yesterday but today for us. Maisie’s fourth Birthday. The end of my brief (3 day) period with three 3 year olds.

We started the day REAALY early, at 5:15.

Called on Skype and had the most wonderful birthday celebration with Maisie. Thanks Marie for setting that up.

We had candles and sang and she blew them out (we helped) and then she opened presents and then we ate cake. MMMM.

It was really nice to have that. It’s sad to not be there but at least we sort of were.

Right before that we told Kai that it was her birthday and he spontaneously started singing “Happy Birthday to you….” In English. Impressive. He of course wouldn’t do it on the Skype but it was nice.

It was our travel day. Shanghai to Guangzhou.

The facilitator arrived at 9 promptly and we made it down there soon thereafter with all the bags packed. I had two big bags and two highly competitive boys, so the rolling of the big bags was not really a problem. Thanks dudes. In the lobby I had to change money and check out which took a while.

A side note about the hotel. We stayed at the Marriot Courtyard Shanghai Puxi. I swear by the Marriott brand as I have always been incredibly pleased with their service, quality, and consistency. I don’t usually love Courtyards (usually no free breakfast) but this is their main international brand and we picked it. We were on the “executive floors” which meant I got a room that was bigger – a living room and a bedroom. Even better we were allowed to go to the top (30^th) floor executive lounge. There they had a full breakfast daily (for free), “heavy” appetizers and desserts in the PM, and free drinks (pop, water) anytime. Also had free wine, beer and alcohol in the PM though I didn’t partake (though did think about it more than once!). The staff up there were INCREDIBLY helpful and accommodating to me and the kids, helping them out. Talking to Kai when he was mad or confused, and being very tolerant of and kind to me and my young “executives” I highly recommend staying there. Oh and the pool is nice too.

Drove to the airport. Duncan was not happy, as he really wanted to go to the Pudding (Pudong) Airport, but we went to the closer, smaller one that is used for domestic flights.

This like everything was a fascinating experience. Going to an airport where it was all in Chinese. Rolling three kids and all the baggage. It went smoothly though. On the plane (An Airbus 330 – big with eight seats across) we sat in the middle section – 4 seats. This was Kai’s first plane ride (and I assume Finn’s) and he was a little nervous but excited. We got in the plane and had to wait about ½ an hour so Kai was not so impressed. Finally we had to get ready to take off. Then he was more impressed. They had earphones and radio (including an English-speaking Sesame Street channel) so the boys had a lot of fun with that. I pulled out the Play-Do for Finn and he wanted nothing to do with it. He said, in his gestures, OOO, it makes my hands sticky. I don’t like it. So I played with it myself. Started making little balls and squishing them into pancakes. That lasted about two minutes before the little hands were helping. He did that for about half an hour.

Pursuant to my earlier comments, on this 1 ¾ hour flight we were served a hot lunch. Noodles and Chicken or Rice and Beef. It was like flying in 1970. The boys liked the noodles – Kai ate all of his. There was also an assortment of other things – a roll, a little piece of fish with some vegetables, a cup of cherry tomatoes, and some snacky things. Fun.

After that one of the Stewards who had been talking to us and who spoke good English took Kai for a little tour of the plane and to look out the window. That was really nice so he could see what was going on. The guy brought him back and told me he thought it was really nice how so many Americans were adopting Chinese kids. Very kind.

At the Guangzhou airport we got off the plane, went through the jetway, down some steps, and then on to buses. Not sure why. Then got off at another place to get the luggage. Well as you can imagine, a luggage belt is a cool thing for an eight year old boy. Even more so if he had never seen one. Kai and Duncan spent a lot of time putting their backpacks on the belt and then picking them up further down. Duncan even sent a piece of chex mix all the way around.

Got the luggage then met our person and got on a big like 20 person bus to go to the hotel. It was about 45 minutes, perfect for a nap for Finn. The Guangzhou area reminds me a lot of Southern California, as far as the architecture, roads, etc. Except for the rain. Lots of rain.

Our hotel is on an island that is about 4 x 6 blocks in the middle of town. I guess the US consulate used to be here but now it is not. We are at the Victory, the other, larger, hotel is the White Swan. I booked it on line and reserved the East Hotel. There are two buildings. East and West. The east is older and smaller. Our friends were in the West so I went to the west and looked at the rooms. We could get a regular room for just $3 more or a deluxe room for like $24, and the deluxe had a lot more room so I opted for that. I need some space. For the wrestling matches.

After we got settled we went to dinner with our friends. Thai food. My kids aren’t really restaurant people (any of them, really) but we managed. Finn would not sit in the high chair so he ate the pad thai on my lap. Kai had chicken on a stick. He’s a good eater. And Duncan had “Indian Pizza” Cheese only.

Back to room and to bed.

Bad night. Finn up a lot. Kept waking and crying. After a few hours I realized if I held him on my chest he would sleep. Not a great night but we got through.