Paperwork and the Jade Market

Monday 6:00pm

Yesterday we didnt do much here in Guangzhou. We met our guide, Connie, at 10:30 and went through all of the paperwork needed for our Visa appointment. After that, we were free to wander about the island. We had lunch at Lucy's and headed back to the hotel for a nap. Saiya refused to go to sleep. That child can entertain herself for hours. We met the other families at 6pm for dinner at a local chinese restaurant. The food was wonderful! Chris was not impressed, but they had tashu baos so he was happy! Saiya really likes them too! After dinner we went to a local bakery and had some cake for dessert. Then it was time for bed.

Today we met Connie at 9:30am to head to a local Budhist temple for a tour and do some shopping at the jade market. Since it is a national American holiday, the consulate was closed today, so we had all day to explore and really get to know China. On the way to the temple, Connie explained a little bit about Guanzhou and some of China's holidays. The mid-autum festival starts next week and the traditional dessert for that holiday is the moon cake. So we stopped off to get some. Yum Yum! The temple was awesome and very relaxing. The monks even did a traditional budhist blessing for our children. We were very grateful! I'm so glad that Saiya is old enough to be able to experience things like that. maybe she will remember it when she is older.

We bought a few gifts for family back home at the jade market, although not alot because it is expensive. We got back to the hotel about 12, had lunch at Lucy's and then it was off to the room for a nap. Saiya crashed hard. Poor girl was so tired. After her nap, we attempted the pool. She wasnt really interested in playing with the other kids, but didnt really throw a fit when we put her in the pool. I kept her in my lap for the most part and she refused to leave me to go splash around on her own. I'm certain that she is going to love the pools at home, we just have to get her more comfortable around other children.

After dinner, we headed back to the room for a moon cake dessert! Saiya loved them! :) Yum Yum!