The Pearl Market & Shamian Island

Yesterday we went to the US Consulate. They don't allow pictures in the building, so we don't have any.

But, it's a lovely compound with lots of metal detectors, air conditioning and "big western bathrooms" (as our guide exclaimed). Our appointment was pretty quick, it took the whole group of 10 families about an hour to file through and get our paperwork examined.

Everything was in order and they promised to return his passport today with a US Visa and a packet of immigration paperwork. Steven isn't a citizen yet, but will become one once going through customs and immigration in Seattle.

Here's a family shot taken at the hotel by one of our guides. The first one with all five of us together. Getting all the kids to smile and look in the same direction has become MUCH harder with three of them. We look forward to the family photo challenge.

Our hearty pirate crew!

After our consulate appointment, we had the whole afternoon off. We decided to check out the pearl market, which we missed when Matt was sick. After warning us about twenty times not to buy any counterfeits ("the Chinese people are very good at making copies!") our guide wrote down directions for the taxi cab as well as a map to a shop that sells only real pearls. The adoption agency has really good guides, and they always have our back.

 Adelaide and enough pearls to buy

our house a few times overs...

Steven picked up an upgraded

pacifier at the wholesale markets

after losing the Walmart one. Alas,

lost this one shortly after as well.

We mostly wanted to check it out, with no intention of buying anything... but you know... a shop full of wholesale pearls, 80% off retail... of course Matt bought Melinda a beautiful pendant. 

Today we took the subway to Shamian Island with several other families from our group. The small sandbar was split between the British and French during the 1800s, and it's a unique little time capsule of colonial-period architecture. It's a lovely island and there were dozens of people taking photos, from wedding photos to professional modeling shoots. The walking path at the center of the island is called "Friendship Park" and is filled with statues depicting the change between traditional China, colonialism and the modern era. 

Crossing the bridge to the island... 

a whole 15 feet or so! Whoa.

 Adelaide appreciating the 

evolution of the modern woman.

The colonial architecture seemed crazy

out of place in this Chinese metropolis.  

Helping him mail his postcard. 

Maybe we'll move into this one. 

Eleanor getting into the negotiations.

It was a beautiful adventure for our last day! While we were on that side of town, we stopped at Pizza Hut for lunch. Instead of being a greasy dive, Pizza Hut is totally upscale on this side of the Pacific. Then, we took the subway back to the hotel to await Steven's final paperwork and pack. 

We did not order the escargot. 

MMm... Pepsi. The kids have had 

WAY too much soda this trip. 

In the subway - a sponge vending machine!

All sponges... sponsored by Amazon.cn. 

 

For one final picture, here is a great group shot of our entire adoption group. We feel so privileged and lucky to have shared this journey with these other amazing families and their children.

 

They've share their love, extra wipes and anti-nausea medicine with us. Our children have played and bonded. We've sat, exhausted in the hotel hallways eating room service and letting children crawl all over us. We've cried together and supported one another. It's been an amazing trip with these amazing people.

 

We hope to meet everyone of these people again someday.

Tomorrow we fly all day and a little longer - but we'll finally be back in the states!