The Red Couch

Holt Families

The clan applied for Danielle’s US Visa yesterday at the US Consulate.  Sorry, no photos allowed.  It was very déjà vu as we had been in the same place three years prior with Elyssa.  We all noticed that we were in the room right next to the one from the previous visit.  After taking an oath with the other families affirming that we told the truth on the immigration forms, we waited for about 30 minutes for our turn at the window.  We should get our visa this afternoon.  That’s the last official thing we need to do before going home!  I must say that the staff at the consulate were very nice and really seem to love helping the adoptive families bring home their children.

After the visa appointment, we went to the Six Banyan Temple.  We didn’t go to this Buddhist  temple during our last visit.  It was a very peaceful place and we even got a blessing from the monks there.  Elyssa got some holy water in her eye!

The rest of the day was pretty relaxing as we took our afternoon naps and then took a group photo with the six other Holt families.  The staff from Holt even took the famous Red Couch from the White Swan hotel and brought it to their office in this hotel.  Very nice!

After the photo shoot, we went out with our friends, Dan and Helen Brandt, to our favorite Chinese Italian restaurant for dinner.  All in all, a good day and one day closer to home!

Six Banyan Temple

Blessing Time!

The Red Couch

Lazy Tuesday...

So, if the Mayans were correct, this may be our last post so I'll try to make it a good one...  I just realized that if the world does end tomorrow, I spent my last day on Earth with those dearest to me, my beautiful wife and girls!

It was a slow day today.  We had a late breakfast and hung out in the hotel most of the day.  Elyssa and her Baba (Dad) went to Subway across the street for lunch.  The girls then took a nice "night night nap" and were bright eyed and bushy tailed for our river cruise this evening.  

ELF loves her tea!

On the way to the river, we realized that our guide, Joyce, was with us three years ago when we brought home Elyssa.  It was such a blur that we didn't realize it until this evening!  We were reliving some memories from that journey.  Specifically, we told Joyce about how our guide was hurt after our bus hit a taxi.  She said, "that was me!"  She was standing in the aisle speaking into the microphone when we hit the cab.  She hurt her back when she landed awkwardly.  Thankfully, no permanent damage!  

After eating our Papa John's pizza below deck, we spent the remainder of our time taking in the beautiful, crisp evening and enjoying traditional music and tea.  Elyssa LOVES her tea and had three cups!  

Now that we are back in the hotel, the girls are in bed early since we leave for our consulate appointment at 7:50 in the morning.  No cameras allowed I'm afraid, so you'll just have to read about it.  We'll get to take an oath and apply for Danielle's visa to the US.  After we return from the appointment, we're off to the 6 Banyan Temple for a blessing for Danielle.  We didn't do this for Elyssa, but we think it would be a great opportunity to experience some of her native culture.  Besides, if the Mayans were right, a blessing couldn't hurt!

Guangzhou TV Tower

Downtown Guangzhou

Dragon Boat

Safari Park

The group from Holt hit the Guangzhou Safari Park today!  What a great place.  It reminded us of the San Diego Zoo.  We did a tram tour of the “bush” and then walked through the remainder of the park.  The only downside was the show that had trained bears playing basketball and a tiger and wolf show.  I’m sure the animals are treated well, but we don’t like seeing wild animals learning tricks for our amusement.  Overall though, the safari was a great way to spend the day!

Danielle continues to open up to us.  She and Elyssa have been playing in the room this morning and it is great to hear her cute little laugh.  She hasn’t spoken many words yet, at least none we recognize.  She does like to sing and grunt when we take her out. 

We are ready to get out of here!  China is great, but we are very anxious to get back home.  Our visa appointment is tomorrow morning at the US Consulate.  We’ll get Danielle’s visa the next day.  We’ll then go to Hong Kong via train and then fly home the next day.  Yahoo!

Buddies

Our guide, Joyce.

Really?

Field Trip!

Nancy was popular with the local kids.

Dan Brandt

Shamian Island

At Lucy's.  We sat at this table 3 years ago!

Our trip to Shamian Island a few days ago was bitter sweet.  We love visiting the beautiful island and were reminded how wonderful it was to stay there three years ago while getting Elyssa.  Unfortunately, the hotel that many of the adoption agencies used, the White Swan, is undergoing a complete renovation and won’t be open for another year.  As a result, we are staying a few miles north in another hotel.  It’s much more difficult to go for walks, shopping, and dining where we are now.

For those of you who enjoy history, Shamian Island is a small area on the Pearl River where Britain and France based their operations in the 19^th Century.  At that time, only Europeans were allowed on the island.  Today, the island is open to everyone and is treated as a kind of park by the population of Guangzhou, a pedestrian friendly oasis in a city full of automobiles.

Mission number one for the day was to purchase shoes for the baby.  Nancy did her best and scored four pairs of squeaky shoes for 45 Yuan each, about $6.50 US per pair.  And to think, a few years ago Nancy was afraid to bargain.   We also bought a couple of dolls from the girls’ provinces.  After our shopping, we had lunch, played in the park, and grabbed a cab back to our hotel.

 

Wedding Photo Shoots

Starbucks at Shamian

Posted at a Kiddie Park

Mama and Zhu Zhu

Nice Doggie!

Update!

The last few days have been pretty uneventful, which is a very good thing.  Danielle has been warming up to her family and is getting pretty attached to Mama Nancy.  She is tolerating Daddy but only for a few moments at a time.  Elyssa is being a great Jiejie (Elder Sister) and is helping take care of the little one.  Everyone is sleeping through the night, so Nancy is happy.

Our daily routine has been to wake between 7 and 8 AM.  We get down to the breakfast buffet at around 9:30.  We are then ready to greet the world!  The last two days were free days with no scheduled adoption events.  Yesterday, we went to White Cloud Mountain with the other Holt Family.  Baiyun Mountain, as it’s known by the locals, has a nice city park atmosphere and was full of folks enjoying the day.  We saw many birds in the aviary and enjoyed a bird show.  After the mountain, we had our guide, Joyce, drop us off at Oggi’s, an Italian restaurant near the Garden Hotel.  Everyone was very surprised that the food was as good as it was.  We’ll plan on going back within the next few days.

Today, all the families went to the clinic to have our little ones checked out.  It was a nice chance for all the families to meet each other and swap stories.

Several families plan on going to Shamian Island this afternoon for shopping and dinner.  Last time we were here, our hotel was on the island.  We miss it!   It’s pedestrian friendly, has plenty of shops, and tons of restaurants.  Mission #1 is to get some shoes for Zhu Zhu.  She’s been in socks since we got her!

Loves the elevator.

My little artist,

Going up the mountain.

Handsome Boy

Well trained!

At Baiyun Mountain

We had the best guide.

Know the rules folks.

At the medical check-up.

The Next 48 Hours

Sisters

It's been almost 48 hours since we added little Danielle to the mix and all is well.  She is still quiet, but seems to be slowly adjusting to her new family.  Yesterday we went for a walk around Liuhua Park near our hotel.  We enjoyed the walk even thought the weather wasn't cooperating.  Danielle was in the carrier on Daddy and fell asleep on the way back.  Brian especially enjoyed the English translations for some of the signage in the park.  Elyssa got her workout on with the elderly folks in the park.

The only official event on this day was a trip to the passport office for Danielle’s passport application.  This is one of the reasons that we have to stay here for two weeks.  The first week is really designed to allow the Chinese national and provincial governments to do their thing.  The second week is for the US Consulate here in Guangzhou to issue the US Visa and to screen our little folks for immigration to the States.  Bottom line is that we are all VERY ready to go home!

Last night Nancy decided that, even though she was not feeling well, she wanted to take a cab to the area around the Garden Hotel so that she could eat at a Mexican restaurant there called Takilla’s.  Unfortunately, Nancy didn’t do well in the rush-hour stop-and-go taxi ride and felt ill upon arrival at the less than yummy restaurant.  Brian had to carry both girls to the restaurant since Elyssa was sleepy.  Elyssa is not lying when she says she is sleepy.  She basically shuts down.  After a much smoother ride back to our hotel, Brian put all three girls to bed and enjoyed a well-earned beer.

Today’s plan calls for a trip to Shamian Island for some shopping.  That is, as long as Nancy feels well.

Liuhua Park

Really?

Work it!

Okay...?