Another Day, Another Market

Well, Guangzhou is, after all, the historic center for western trade in China! Today we went to the Pearl and Jade Market. Picture a mall the size of Kohl's, six stories high, filled with beads. Greg was surpised that stores like Ohio Gems and Beads could exist selling only beads. Who knew there could be a whole mall of beads!?! We went to an outside market across the way where they had more trinkets.

We took a taxi to get there. Wow. What an experience! They said in a guide book that China has 2% of the world's cars, but 20% of the accidents. It was like a roller coaster ride! Pedestrians definitely do not have the right of way. Cars, buses, motorbikes, pedal bikes, and pedestrians pulling carts compete for space. Vehicles practically touch. Everyone drives ridiculously fast. Horns honk everywhere. It is just scary. I'm amazed we haven't seen any accidents yet.

The kids and I left Mom, Dad and Greg to keep shopping and returned to the area around our hotel. We ate dinner at the "American" restaurant named Lucy's. The food is expensive and mediocre. Justin had PB&J, while Kailey had grilled cheese. I had a chicken wrap. It cost RMB99 ($12). While we ate we watched what seemed to be a talent show in the park. There was traditional Chinese singing (sounds like caterwauling to me!), dancing, and a Chinese opera. The kids enjoyed the experience, but did not appreciate the singing either.

We also saw a Chinese school class sitting in a courtyard while one of the little ones made a presentation, then the other kids asked questions. Justing and Kailey enjoyed watching. We have been trying to figure out the school schedule here. We know they go in the mornings. We also see kids there at 8 pm. Kids are out in the afternoons, but keep their uniforms on all day.

Dinner was at the same restaurant we at at last night. We had sweet and sour chicken, pan fried dumplings, goose, fried rice, and white rice. After dinner, we walked down to see the light show that is every evening at 8 pm over the Pearl River. These Chinese sure like their lights! Buildings everywhere are covered in neon. Some of them show movie like commercials on the entire side. Cruising boats are covered in lights. The river banks are lined with lights. Then they show flood lights and lasers in time to music. Just fascinating.

After we returned to the room and got the kids to bed, we received the email saying that we have a new appointment for November 16 with a swearing in on November 17. It turns out that they do not do swearing in ceremony on Mondays, but on Tuesday-Friday. Regardless, we have ours sooner. We are waiting for confirmation from All God's Children which should come very soon. After that, as Greg said before, we need to get our flights changed. We will work on that first thing in the morning. Please pray that we are able to get seats on a flight that gets us in at a decent hour on November 18. If we can swing it and the Lord wills it, we will be at the Adoption Sunday service. We may be dead on our feet, but we'll be there. We will, however, not be having a reception following at our house as we had discussed before we left.

We will post our details just as soon as we have them. I'll keep you posted as we stay on our knees while watching God work all this out.