Our flight from Nanning to Guangzhou although delayed a bit went better than anyone traveling with a toddler could imagine. Ella slept most of the way and played quietly the rest. Although our poor travel companions didn't fair as well with their new family member wailing and fussing the entire flight. Just shows that you have to be prepared for either as every child handles situation vastly different and so far along this journey we have always thought up the worst case and thankfully received the better case instead.
As cities go we are noticing each one is a little unique and comparing Nanning to Guangzhou is like comparing apples and oranges. I realized this right off as we arrived really late to the Marriott and the only place open was a 7-11, yes just like home, and a McDonalds. Dawn and Ella settled in to the room and I ran to get something from McDonald's to get us through the night till breakfast(yes, breaking my boycott on fast food to satiate hunger pains and some sanity). I wasn't out the door of the Marriott two minutes and some Lady solicited me for a "massage". Given it was 11PM at night I have a feeling it was an all inclusive type offer. Needless to say Guangzhou is a large city with all that goes with such places so if your from some small town you should prepare as if you were headed to Manhattan. I will add at no time did we feel uncomfortable or worried for safety and the Marriott is in a good part of town across from a beautiful park.
The other aspect of this part of the trip which took us by surprise was when we headed down the first morning to the buffet breakfast at the hotel. A very surrealistic moment as we noticed the dinning area was packed. It was full with others just like us, a sea of multicultural adoptive families, high chairs everywhere. This took us by surprise and was a big departure from the solitude we had in Nanning. According to our guide there were about 30 families staying at the Marriott this week and another 30 or so in other area hotels, all processing out this week. On one level it was amazing and oddly beautiful to see so many new families in one place. On the other hand I felt a little sad that this is the norm and that there were so many children that were being exported away from their cultural heritage to foreign shores due to the economics and governmental policies. The issue is a complex one of course and being on the receiving side of one of China's beautiful treasures I can only be grateful for how it is today at this moment and hope that in the future things work out so there are less children abandoned in China and in need of homes and care. Maybe some of the folks we saw driving Maserati's here or at home will decide to spend their money on something more valuable in the future?
We have a week here and are looking forward to seeing the sites that we have read on other blogs like the infamous Shamian island. On the process side of things the big hurdle this week aside from avoiding U.S. government computer malfunctions, which apparently derailed some folks a few months ago and made headlines in our local paper, is the medical tests that the adopted children need to go through prior to leaving the country, especially the TB test. If your not familiar with TB the situation is if the child does not pass the TB test then you don't get to leave this week. A real bad situation of a long wait in medical isolation working through that nightmare is something no one wants for certain. I was a bit anxious as I asked the guide if any kids had not passed and he reluctantly said yes it has occurred but very rare. I took comfort in statistics on this one and tried not to cross any imaginary nightmare bridges we dreamed up. The last thing we want right now is to extend this trip any longer than need be as we are very anxious to get home to our boys. Fingers crossed and Shamian Island tomorrow.
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