Guangzhou

We have been in the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou for the past two days. Aside from sleeping on a bed of concrete, we have been lucky to have nice weather and more to keep us occupied, and lots more to buy. There are multiple shops right outside the hotel with lots of people trying to sell almost everything - from suitcases to clothes. We were willing participants in this dance.
First - here is some video from Guangzhou - first a little tour of Shamian Island (note the British architecture) and then some "local cuisine"





We took a nighttime cruise down the Pearl River past our hotel. If we weren't in China, you would think we were in Epcot Center. There were some spectacular views.




The White Swan is in the background, all decorated for Christmas

Lexi doing the Brett-style back arch:


One of the big events in Guangzhou is the "Red Couch" picture, in which all the babies from the adoption group are put on a couch in the lobby for a group picture. What a riot - ten babies posing (and fighting).





The report from the orphanage had a little section that said that Lexi is active and has a strong personality, she likes grabbing other babies toys, and fighting some other babies. She is going to fit perfectly in our house:




But she does get along with her friends. Here she is having lunch with Zoe:


The video from the couch is hilarious:



Finally, we were taken to a Buddhist temple for a baby blessing. I will post that video as soon as I can unload it from the camera, but here are the pictures. This is the one place in Guangzhou that actually looked Chinese.







We love to eat!


And this is our guide, Candy. She was absolutely wonderful, and made the trip extraordinary.


This afternoon we are going to the US Consulate to swear-in Lexi as a US Citizen and get her visa. Then we fly back to Beijing, and come home tomorrow! I will try to make one more entry from Beijing.