Once again, we had a big breakfast in one of the hotel restaurants. Cammo loves fruit of almost any type. Today’s breakfast for him consisted of two large plates of fruit and 2 containers of yogurt. Nobody around here drinks milk, but they do like lots of yogurt, and the yogurt quality at the hotels has been very good. The yogurt even comes with a folded spoon on the inside. Angie likens it to what she was served in England years ago. Cammo is quite messy when he eats, but is meticulous about washing his face and hands with soap and water afterwards.
While I was typing away, Cammo and Angie went across the street to 7-Eleven to get a bite to eat. Cammo made sure when they got back to the room that both parents also had something to eat. Very considerate of him; he’s constantly doing things like that.
After breakfast and a bit of lounging in the room, we ventured out for a walk. Shamian Island is neat place to hang out. From the mid-18th to the 19th century, Shamian was the only place where foreign merchants were allowed to live in Guangzhou. It was conceded to the British and French following the Second Opium War in 1859. It was a center of trade for these countries from that point until the early 20th century, and you can clearly see this influence in the architecture and layout of the island. Various bronze statues are scattered around the island which depict life as it was during earlier periods on the island, as well as from more recent times. Guangzhou is known as the Flower City, and this is evident on Shamian Island as well. Cammo took a number of pictures with these bronzes, played in the park again, and stopped for a snack of cold water and chicken feet. We were once again approached several times by folks wanting to talk to us about America, adoption, what we were doing here, and to just practice their English. There seemingly are also a number of people doing photo shoots on the island all the time whether for weddings, tourism or whatever, but they seem to be all over. Also, you see many middle-aged and older folks who are out exercising in some form, including badminton and a game which seems similar to hackey sack.
I forgot to mention in yesterday’s email that we had stopped by a local shop and purchased a New Year’s outfit for Cammo, and one for Angie as well. Angie was able to pick out the fabric style and was custom fitted, so we go back to pick it up tomorrow evening. Needless to say, she is quite excited about it. Hers is red coloring with a design on it, while Cammo’s is dark blue. Angie preferred a red outfit for him, but he definitely preferred the blue, so that is what we got. We got it just a tad big for him so that it will fit for at least a season. It is a custom here at the White Swan to take a last day picture on “the Red Couch” dressed in your new outfits, so we are definitely prepared. I think they are both going to look adorable in them.
I also forgot to mention something that Cammo brought from the orphanage that I thought was neat and which we will keep in good condition for him as he gets older. It was a small memory-type book with what appeared to have a page for each of his classmates to write down some thoughts for the recipient. Each page prompts them for such things as: My First Impression of You, Our Sweetest Memory Together, My Dream, etc. There were also a couple nice cards that I suspect the staff, teachers and/or “ayi’s” gave him before he left.
The White Swan is a very nice and historic hotel. The hotel was built during the early stages of China’s adoption of the policy of Reform and Opening Up, and its opening ceremony was held on February 6th, 1983. Among its distinguished guests are: Mr. Deng Xiaoping, former U.S. Presidents Richard Nixon and George Bush, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Cuban Chairman Fidel Castro, French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac, German Chancellors Helmut Kohl and Helmut Schmidt, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, and many others. It borders the Pearl River and has wonderful views of the river and city of Guangzhou, as well as beautifully landscaped lawns and gardens.
That’s all for now…..hope we’re not boring you to death with the minutiae of our trip! Cammo has been an absolute delight today and is anxious to get to his new home. We miss you all!
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