Saturday July 16

Our first day in Guangzhou and immediately off to work.

Despite getting up early, we were late for breakfast so had to eat fast. I felt compelled to bathe the boys who I was taking to the doctor. Marie rubbing off on me. The breakfast was great – they had lots to offer and all that I wolfed down was good. Will try to savor it more tomorrow.

We walked down to the medical clinic which was about three blocks away. When we got there first we had to get the kids photos. Then down to the clinic itself. We went in and it was quiet – not many people there. We went back to the waiting room. There was one other adoptive family there, already getting checked up. The waiting room was a good sized room and they had some toys, but they mostly consisted of squeaky balls and animals. The hard floors and walls of the room plus three little boys made for quite a racket but, hey, it wasn’t me that put the squeaky balls there.

We went through all of the stations – height, weight, eyes, exam, TB test, hearing, nose, throat. No complications or problems. When we came out the place was packed. Maybe 25 other adoptive kids plus their entourages. Glad we got there early.

After the clinic we decided to go for a swim. The pool, of course, is in the East hotel and we are in the West, so we had to walk a bit but it was well worth it. Pool is on the rood of the hotel, outside. You can see all of the town from there and it was amazing. And the pool was warm, Marie. Duncan and Kai had a great time, and our friends were there swimming too (and no one else). Finn again had no interest. He was very tired from the night, so he sat on the chair and watched. He was happy doing that.

The pool closes from 12 – 2 (not sure why – probably some government rule!) so we swam until noon. Then headed back. Stopped at the shop next to the hotel (Jennifer’s) and got noodles in the cup for Kai and Me and Finn, and Duncan went next door for Subway. He was happy. We got drinks and chips too. I got sushi flavored chips. Boys got Gatorade. Duncan picked a gold colored bottle, and, his Chinese reading not fully developed, found that it was a green tea flavored Gatorade. Ewww he said. He went down for the standard issue blue one. I drank his, it was good. We brought it all up to the room and ate there. Of course the carpet and beds are white so we ate carefully.

At one we had to work on the paperwork for the Consulate. Our facilitator suggested we do it in the lobby, but I knew better, so I invited her up to my room as well as the other couple she is working for. That way I could have the kids contained. We went through it all and got it organized and gave her what she needed. Then we hung around the room a bit and played.

Then we went out to walk around a bit. Borrowed a stroller at the store next door and headed south to a park that is on the river. Went to the playground there and played a bit. Then we walked some more. Being short of clean clothes (the laundry just came back tonight) Duncan was complaining about his foot hurting without sox, so we stopped and bought him some. And then headed to a place called “electronics city” to see if we could find a webcam to Skype and maybe an English speaking DS. When we were almost there, Kai stopped and was complaining of a blister on his foot (there actually was) from not wearing sox. So Duncan sat down, took off the sock on his non-hurting foot, and gave it to Kai. Two brothers, each one with one sock, wandering around Guangzhou. It was a classic moment.

We wandered up and down on the other side of the river. No luck at the electronics stores. But lots of cool little hole in the wall shops selling everything – chicken, mushrooms, ginger, army surplus, chairs, clothes, drinks, etc. and so forth. Very entertaining.

Then came back towards hotel and decided to continue on to dinner. We have only so much in us. On the way we stopped into a shop and I saw some shoes for Finn. A word about his shoes. Finn will not allow me to remove them. He cries. A lot. So they have been on all week. Except for the bath. His shoes are smallish and his toes were all red and getting blisters. So I bought him shoes and sandals there. And the lady, seeing the toes, got out some antibiotic and put it on them. Then I didn’t put the shoes back on him (he is still barefoot now as he sleeps!) so hopefully he will get better.

When we were in the store the rains came. A lot. So we waited a while for it to subside. Sat and talked to the store ladies while the boys played with the tops and Duncan explained how he would not stab anyone if I bought him a sword letter opener or a whale tooth knife or a full size sword. No. And Kai at one point had a whale tooth knife and was running around the store. Maybe toss all the weapons before we get back.

Finally we decided the rain was slowed down enough and we went to dinner protected by the two umbrellas the nice store ladies lent us. We went to the local American food place, Lucy’s, but it was full of fat Americans so we went to the too-fancy Chinese place. We had a very good dinner though we ordered way too much for our little stomachs. But it was very good. And we only made a little scene.

Then home and to bed for the boys. And now it’s my turn.