In Guangzhou

We just arrived in Guangzhou and I am waiting on some food to take back to the hotel room. After a long day that was pretty strenuous for the girls, I am hoping they were able to stay asleep as I went in search of dinner.

Even though the trip was a little stressful, it all went smoothly. This morning we packed up our hotel room in Nanchang. That probably raised some anxiety for the girls, just as they were getting used to the setting. Evelyn brought us their Chinese passports at noon and we got in the van to the airport at 3:00. That left us with more than two hours to kill at the airport, but better that way than being rushed.

It was sad saying goodbye to Evelyn since she was the person who ultimately brought us together with the girls and helped us through our first week. All with good humor and patience.

Our new guide, Kathy, seems equally kind and energetic. She gave us a very warm welcome at the Guangzhou airport, including assisting to clean up Mei who was pretty stinky by the time we landed.

Both of the girls did fine on the flight. Unfortunately, we could not sit in the same row since airplanes provide four oxygen masks for each three passengers. With two infants on our laps, that makes it five people for four masks - that would not be good. Anyway, all went well even with some minor squawking.

I was about at the end of my rope, though, when we got to the hotel. Fen was strapped to my chest and had been for about six hours and she was crying. I was trying to get things squared away for check-in and there was just a lot of commotion in general.

Now, back in the room, Stacey and I have eaten and the girls are sound asleep.

Tomorrow we have an appointment at the U.S. Consulate to get Mei and Fen photographed for their visas. Even though they will be sworn in as citizens before we leave China, they will not yet have U.S. passports and therefore need the visas. We also need to bring them for a medical examination in the morning - another visa requirement.

Each of the days until we leave has been scheduled. Looks like we will have some free time, but much of the week will be busy.


Here we are in the Nanchang Airport, about to head to Guangzhou on Friday afternoon.


A loaded backpack served as a good counterbalance to a rotund Fen.


Poor Mei had a rough start to her Guangzhou visit. Stacey and Kathy got her cleaned up quickly. She was not happy.