Guangshou

Hello Again from Guangzhou,

We are enjoying a few hours of down time in our hotel room and loving it. Our guide helped me to find a Chinese cartoon on a DVD, so Marie Ling is in hog heaven sitting on Mary's bed with a computer on her lap. I am delighted not to be fighting the mass of humanity on the street and not needing to be on constant vigilance with our girl. Each day gets a little easier. Getting more sleep at night has been a huge help and each day she seems to know a little bit more of what to expect from us. Marie Ling seems to vacillate with the moment of wanting us close and pushing us away. One minute she is full of hugs and the next she is defiant and full of vocal outbursts. I've asked our Chinese guide what she is saying in these outbursts and it seems they don't really mean anything. Translation = I am frustrated that I cannot communicate with you!

Trying to be brave and appreciate the local culture, the three of us ventured to a Cantonese restaurant on Saturday night. Among the bizarre and unrecognizable things on the menu, we managed to find a shrimp curry and a chicken dish we agreed to try. The shrimp came with everything but the head and the chicken was primarily skin and gristle! Mary and I both wanted to puke and ended up laughing through much of our less than pleasant meal. Marie Ling was oblivious to our disdain for the meal and was quite content with me peeling shrimp for her (see picture!)

Sunday we visited a place that was part amusement park, part zoo and part driving safari. We did not buy the ticket for the amusement park, but waited in line for 20 minutes to go on a tractor pulled train ride through the driving safari. They had a great number of and a large variety of animals. If it had not been for the exhaust of the passing buses and cars and our compassion for the animals, we could say it was a treat. I am afraid Marie Ling could not see a lot of the animals because of how far they were from us. I just cannot imagine what it has been like to go through eight years not being able to see far or see clearly. The world will burst open before her when she has surgery and gets glasses! After the "train ride" we walked around, visited the animal nursery and attended both an elephant show and a white tiger show. Both were packed; I would guess the tiger arena held four or five thousand people who all entered and exited through one 12 foot path! The elephant show included six elephants. We wiggled our way right up front and Marie Ling apparently could see because she laughed heartily at several of the stunts. She was much more subdued during the tiger show. She was interested but leery about these fifteen huge animals!

Late this morning we returned to the island right near Guangzhou where we had our medical exams on Saturday. Fortunately, every child in the group had a negative response to the TB shot each received on Saturday. I was quietly very relieved as she has been coughing since we met her. Of course, she coughed a lot when she had her eyes examined and the doctor took note. At that doctor's recommendation, we started her on an antibiotic two nights ago.

After the medical check we did a little shopping and bought her a traditional Chinese dress. I succumbed to peer pressure and also bought her a tee shirt that says "Made in China"!

Thanks to all for your continued support and prayers. Each time I skype with Mike he tells me folks are calling, stopping him at school or at church or emailing him to see how things are going and to say they are following along on our blog. Though we tried our hardest to get it all set before we left, I am not able to see the blog. It is conveniently blocked! So if you have posted something in response, Mike and the kids can enjoy it and I will see it when I get home. Right now I email Mike and he posts the entry for me. Thanks again and Happy St. Nicholas Day from Guangzhou.

Michelle

Relaxing with Aunt Mary

Mom and me at the zoo!

Shrimp is good!

Eye Exam.

I love you mom!