Travel Journal - Day 11

Hi from Guangzhou! Today was a beautiful and relaxing day for all of us. Abby started her day with a bottle, and ate scrambled eggs and yet another croissant for breakfast! LOL I think she must be part French. After breakfast, we went to the Six Banyan Temple. This was one of my favorite things that we've experienced because you really get to get an idea of how the Chinese live. The Temple is surrounded by Banyon Trees, which I believe are only from this area. As you walk into the area surrounding the temple, there are huge containers (for lack of a better word as I'm tired) with Chinese lettering and they are fillled with sand. The Chinese light incense sticks, bow three times and then put the sticks into the sand. They believe that their prayers and requests will be answered as the smoke from the incense goes into the air. There were also altars where they bring fruit, flowers and other edible things to show respect for their ancestors. We were then brought into another area where there are 3 huge Buddhas representing the past, present and future. We had to take our shoes off, and we kneeled in front of the Buddhas. A monk came in front of us and tapped a small wooden instrument while he chanted - he was doing a blessing for the babies. It was absolutely beautiful, and it was touching and emotional as well. You realize that this would probably be your daughters religion if she stayed in China. After we were done, we had to bow 3 times and give a small amount of money into the box next to the altar. The whole experience was beautiful and fascinating. We were then able to climb the main part of the temple. Of course my mom went to the top! LOL I climbed a few flights and had enough! To get up, you could only walk to the left to get up to the next level, and then when you wanted to come down, you would walk to the right. We had a beautiful view of the courtyard below...

After we left the temple, we went to the famous Wholesale Pearl market in Guangzhou. It is a huge building of 6 levels and is filled with booths selling pearls. I've never seen anything like it! Our guide Guilan helped us out and bargained for us. You picked the string of pearls that you liked, and they strung the pearls right in front of you. It's so cool to watch the girls do it because they are so fast. Scott had bought me a bracelet for our wedding and a necklace for an anniversary, so I didn't buy her either since I will pass mine on to her someday. He had bought me a pair of pearl earrings for my birthday a few years back, but one got lost so I bought a beautiful pair of pearl earrings for $65! It was alot of fun and it's a riot to watch Guilan bargain for you. She keeps saying in Chinese "Cheaper, Cheaper!" I enjoyed it alot! Abby slept through the pearl market, so it was easy to sit there and look around at everything. The people loved coming up to us and asked questions about the babies. In one of the pictures, you'll see a sweet Chinese woman trying to talk to Abby. She gets weird with strangers now and constantly turns to look for me. Ahhh, mother and daughter bonding is a beautiful thing.

After our outings, we went back to the White Swan and had lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon S H O P P I N G! (We also dropped film off to get developed - we'll have lots of pictures as soon as we're home...and we dropped our laundry off to get done) We have such a riot shopping because there is just so much stuff to buy. The first day we were shy about bargaining, but today we were going back and forth because some of the shopkeepers are so pushy. Also, when you go into a store front, some of them actually only have one or two aisles that are theirs, and as you move further into the store, the other owners of the aisles come out and will tell you that they'll beat the other people's prices, etc. It's crazy and fun and you get great stuff for CHEAP ! :) I've been buying Abby Chinese dresses for the Chinese New Year and Gymboree and Gap clothes for $5. Scott would be having a heart attack! LOL

After our shopping spree, we went back into our room and we just visit with one another and hang out with the babies. Mom and I treated ourselves to a Haagen Daz ice cream bar for dinner! LOL

Tomorrow the guides have to bring our paperwork to the consulate, so we have to wait in our rooms in case they call us with any questions. Guilan is leaving on Tuesday as she has to fly back to Beijing to try and get a visa to come to the United States for a visit. We are all hoping and praying that she gets the visa, although she doesn't think her chances are good. Apparently 80% of the time, they are not allowed to get the visas to leave the country. She is supposed to come to our agency's holiday party, and we would love to get to see her after we leave China. In such a short time, we have all come to love this wonderful lady. She is part of all of our families, and the help she has given us is beyond words. On top of it all, she is so much fun...I know I will cry when we have to say goodbye to her. Our local guide, Connie, will get us to the airport on Wednesday morning, but it won't be the same without Guilan. She will forever be our friend in China....

After the guides get back from the consulate, we'll wrap up any last minute shopping tomorrow and we are going to get together and take Guilan out to dinner tomorrow night. We'll have to spend much of Tuesday figuring out how to pack all the extra stuff we've bought! LOL

I miss you boys so much and can't wait to get home. My heart isn't whole without you. As always, kiss Evan for me, tell him I love him and that Mommy will be home soon (with presents!) LOL Pet Bernie and Gizmo for me too. Blowing you kisses from China.

xoxoxo Love, Mommy and Abby Grace (Grandma Ginny and Auntie Kimi too) xoxoxo