We are in Guangzhou!

We have made it to Guangzhou!

We said our final goodbyes to Chongqing on Friday.  There was part of me that was really sad about leaving.  This is my daughter’s birthplace, where I met her for the first time and where she became permanently a member of our family.  It was impossible to stay sad though.  Lucy could not be more excited about leaving and getting on that plane!

While traveling by bus to the airport, Lucy asked our guide for our agenda (she is my daughter!)  She wanted to know:  “How many days in Guangzhou?” (in Chinese of course) then, How many days in Hong Kong?”  then the question none of us expected but should have:  “How many days in USA?”  Michael explained to Lucy that she would be in Guangzhou for 7 days and then 3 days in Hong Kong.  He then told her that she would be with us in the USA forever.  I didn’t really know what was going on but when Michael said that she screamed so loud everyone in the bus stopped what they were doing for a minute!

We had the most amazing guide, Michael, in Chongqing.  He was very detailed and we all felt very prepared for what was going to occur each day.  We could never thank Michael enough  for his guidance and compassion during this amazing journey to make Lucy a Comer and bring her home.

Madison  was mad at me for making him stop for the photo.  He was walking with his new friends, Eli & Matt, and didn’t want to stop for pictures.  The things moms make you do.

We got to the airport early so waiting in the terminal was interesting.  Madison, Eli & Matt each pulled out ipads and started playing Minecraft.    They started building villages or something together.  They were in a world of their own and didn’t move until we were boarding the plane. 

Lucy on the other hand, was entertaining the group with her music and dancing until we got her into Madison’s beats.  Now we don’t know how to get them back.  She is loving the headphones!!!  She loves music as well so she, Heith and Madison will get along great!  We weren’t really worried about Lucy on the flight, but it was the first flight she was taking with us.  She was a champ.  Worked on her coloring book until dinner was served and then looked out the window at the city lights as we landed.  She was ready to be in her next city and see what all it had to offer.

We arrived in the hotel around 1000pm.  It had been a long day and everyone was tired.  We are staying at The Garden Hotel in Guangzhou.  It is beautiful.  Great amenities and really comfortable.  Every room is a suite.  Can’t beat that!  We are going to spend some time tomorrow taking pictures of the lobby area.  It is that impressive.

Saturday we had to meet our new guide, Simon, in the lobby at 9am to head to the International Medical Clinic to do our medical tests for Lucy’s visa to enter the United States.  I had no idea what to expect.  We got there and it was …. well strange.  We waited as Simon turned in some paperwork on each of our children and got us registered at the clinic.  We had passport photos made for Lucy’s visa application, then an eye exam, a ENT exam, an overall physical and finally had blood drawn for her TB test.  She handled it all like a champ.  I felt sorry for so many other families at the clinic.  Their children where much younger and didn’t understand what was going on so they stayed upset most of the time.  The workers at the clinic were all business.  They never smiled at us or interacted with us unless it was necessary.  Just strange.

After we got back to the hotel , we at lunch and decided to take a stab at the pool.  We were not able to use the pool at the hotel in Chongqing.  It was only an indoor lap pool and they were pretty serious about it.  We had no idea if Lucy had ever seen a pool, would want to swim or if she would like the water at all.  We already knew she loved the swimsuit we got for her and hoped she would like swimming.

I can’t wait until I can upload videos.  We have some fun ones of the pool, but we have to stick to photos for now.  Lucy wasn’t sure about the pool at first.  There was a toe, then a foot then sitting on the side until she finally got to the point she could go to Heith in the water.  She loves it!  She doesn’t know how to swim and the way she acted at the pool makes me believe she has never been to one, but she will be swimming like a fish by next summer.

We did a little shopping today to get some traditional items for Lucy and our family.  I am excited about the week to come because it will be more “vacation like”.  Our consulate appointment is on Wednesday so we have free time on Monday and Tuesday to see some really cool stuff in this area.

It is time to head out to dinner.  I hope you all have a great day!