Shop, Shop Until You drop!!

This morning the girls went shopping while the boys stayed in the room.  One parent from each family had to hang out in the room between 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM to answer questions.  The guides were conducting official business on our behalf, so we needed to be reachable.  It only made sense that the girls get to shop!!  They hopped into a taxi (which is an adventure within itself) and headed to Shaiman Island for some morning shopping.  This was actually a jumpstart to the 3:00 PM group shopping trip. 

Shaiman Island is a shopping haven for adoptive families.  There are shops in every nook and cranny, including alleys and stairwells.  Some shops are smaller than our closet, while others are the size of an average American bedroom.  Many of the shopkeepers stand out on the sidewalks or courtyards, trying to direct traffic into their shop.   Most shops offer the same items.  Everybody wants to give you a "special friend price" or "an offer that is just for you".  Trying to get a "great deal" is exhausting and time consuming.  It is hard to know if you really succeeded in getting the best price.  Rather than dwelling on whether we overpaid for something here or there, we just tried to get what we wanted at the best price.  There really is no room for regret, as we will probably not be in China again anytime soon.  If we loved it, we bought it!  Surprisingly, we really did not buy as much as we expected.  How many Chinese dresses and tea sets does one need?  There really was very little to buy for the older kids or  the men folk.  Most of the shops catered to babies and toddlers.  The squeaky shoes are probably one of the most popular items.  Before coming to China, we were hoping to get an oil painting of the kids, but the price is much steeper than we expected (about $200 US dollars).

One of the highlights of our day was stumbling upon an elementary school during their 5:30 PM dismissal.  All of the children were in uniforms that looked like athletic sweatshirts with a red kerchief around their neck.  Parents gathered around, some were on foot, others on motorbikes.  It is something to see two parents and a child on a motorcycle (not wearing helmets)!  Outside the school grounds, there is an open cement courtyard where sports, such as soccer, are played.  Near this "athletic field" is also a playground, which also is more like an outdoor courtyard with play equipment.  Foam flooring was present, but it looked like cement.   These play areas were located on a large island surrounded by streets.  Hopefully, the pictures will give you a better perspective.

In China, traffic never stops for pedestrians.  It is amazing that we have not seen anyone get run over.  We were told that if you hesitate or stop, the traffic will continue to move around you.  It is true!!  Everybody seems to be in a hurry!!  Honking is common!!

Tomorrow we will take group pictures with the babies.  Twenty-six babies in all!!  That should be interesting!!  In addition to pictures, we have to go to the US Consulate to take an Oath and to get Faith's visa.  It is hard to believe that we have only one more full day in China.  As much as we are excited to get Faith home, we are somewhat sad to be leaving China.  It is a beautiful place!  A place where one of our greatest blessings was bestowed upon us.  Our prayers are with the Chinese families, particularly those that are mourning the loss of the daughter that we are now holding in our arms and hearts forever.

God Bless!  Sorry for the late post!!

Guangzhou