Another day in Guangzhou

Tuesday,  September 14

 

Summary:  A late morning swim with Alexis, a trip to the U.S. Consulate for the oath taking ceremony, dinner at McDonald's and a walk in the park made up our day.

 

Details: Alexis was in a weird mood today.  She had her best sleep of the week last night after yesterday's tiring activities.  We thought she would be in high spirits today after all the rest  - she did not get up once during the night.  However, she woke up on the wrong side of the crib and started the day in a crabby mood.  We decided to take her for a swim at the outdoor pool here and she seemed to enjoy it.  One of her pals Eliana had her first swim and the two splashed around together.  After the swim we gave her a bath, had a short rest, and then boarded a bus to the U.S. Consulate.  There we waited with about 40 other families to have our names called to a window where we showed our passports, received a few papers and signed a document.  After all the families finished, a consulate manager came out and spoke to us.  Then we all raised our right hands and said an oath that all the information we provided to the consulate was true.  We were told that all of our visa paperwork was approved and that our visas would be ready Wednesday.

 

We then were bused back to the hotel.  It was raining at this time so we spent a little time in the hotel room and then joined some travel group friends for a quick meal at McDonald's.  After dinner, we went for a nice walk at a nearby park.  Alexis fell asleep in the baby carrier toward the end of the walk.  We've noticed that there are very few birds, bugs and dogs in the cities we've visited.  I always expect to see lots of pigeons in big cities.  Not in China.

 

It's a little weird that tomorrow we will leave Guangzhou.  All the families are ready to get back to the U.S., but it's sad to leave all our new friends behind after going through such an emotional experience together.  Wednesday at 5:00 we'll join another couple and their baby for a van ride to Hong Kong.  It will be like going to another country in some ways because we have to pass through customs at the border and Hong Kong has a different currency than mainland China.  Thursday we'll sightsee in Hong Kong.  Then we'll be up early Friday for our 9:15 am flight to the U.S.