Sunday, June 7, 2009

Day 7-Very Cool Day

We are really enjoying being in Guangzhou.  Shamian Island, where the White Swan Hotel is located, is very nice and picturesque.  It is on the Pearl River and we can watch all sorts of boats, barges and fisherman go by. 

We started out the day pigging out at the breakfast buffet which had everything from french toast, omelets and bacon to more traditional Chinese fare like dumplings and noodles.  We then got on the bus and headed to the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees.  Because it was Sunday it was very crowded and the weather was extremely hot and humid.  It was really neat though and we enjoyed our time there.  Our guide, Minhua, was able to get our group to be blessed by the Monks.  We took off our shoes and knelt on the floor while two Monks chanted and lit incense.  One of the Monks then came around and sprinkled water on our heads.  I have no idea what they said but it was a very neat experience.  It lasted about five minutes and then we put our shoes back on and headed out into the courtyard where there were several other Buddha statues with people praying in front of them and  lighting incense. 

We then got back on the bus and went to the Guangdong Folk Art Museum.  The museum was mostly outdoors and displayed lots of traditional Chinese art from this province.  Some of the items were amazing.  There were carvings of ships made from ivory (cool but I don't like to think about how they got there), silk embroidered pictures that were very vibrant and many paintings.  We lasted about an 1 1/2 hours before we were all overheated and hungry. 

When we got back to our hotel room we had a present waiting for us.  The White Swan and Mattel team up to welcome adopting families which makes being at this hotel a nice experience.  There is an entire playroom donated by Mattel on the first floor.  Our gift was a, "Going Home Barbie" complete with blond hair, blue eyed mom in stilettos and a Chinese baby.  Personally I don't care for Barbie, never was into dolls, but I got a good chuckle on how Mattel portrays how we look.  I can tell you I don't look as put together as she does at this point and would never attempt to wear those shoes on the streets around here.  I would trip and kill myself!

We ended the day by heading back to Lucy's and had a nice meal.  Siena ate everything in sight including the noodle soup that wasn't finished by one of the other babies. 

Tomorrow we are off to get Siena's visa pictures taken and her medical exam.  We are getting prepared for some screaming!

#End

3 comments:

Unknown said...

this looks great. i know barbie will take center stage in this house!!!!
jared and cindy were here and say hi. good luck tomorrow with the physical. i'm sure Siena will be fine.
Can't wait to see you all next week...

LouieLouie said...

Ha. Ha. What do they give for a male adopting, if that is allowed? A Ken doll? That would be funny. Thanks again for the great travel and adoption stories!

Lara said...

That Barbie is HYSTERICAL. What a world. I love it. See you all soon. All is great here. We had a really nice weekend hanging at home. We checked on your house down here--all is well there. Went to Walmsley's--no luck there. Jed knows more. Can't wait til you're all back.