Today we had a free day in Guangzhou. We decided to join portion of our group for the city tour. It was a lot of fun.
We started out at the 6 banyan tree buddist temple. Very impressive place, and it was buzzing with volunteers getting the place nice and clean in preparation for Chinese New Years which is in just a couple weeks. The history and the workmanship and the significance to the Buddhist people was truly remarkable.
Outside the gate to the temple was a lot of beggars and street vendors. I saw this guy who is actually selling live turtles. Yes, it's hard to see, but those are turtles hanging from that stick, and they were moving! as soon as I took the picture (and was getting ready to grab some video) the guy turned at me, pointed and yelled something that didn't sound very friendly. Our guide retorted back with something and the guy calmed down. I truly did not mean any disrespect, but was simply fascinated by what I was seeing.
From there we went to the Chen house. The Chen family is the biggest family in the Guandong province, and they still maintain a mansion at the homestead site. Today it is more of museum with many vendors selling crafts, embroidery, china, and other treasures. We didn't do any shopping here, but we let Michael get out of the stroller a little bit and stretch his legs. While we were doing that this sweet boy that we met on gotcha day came running up. His name is 'Z'. Z was the first thing to trigger a smile out of Michael the day we first got him. So we are forever indebted to Z.
From there we did some shopping and then came back to the hotel. We ate McDonalds for Lunch (not exactly the same, but very similar - no McRibb, sorry Drew...) did a little shopping (including the obligatory squeaky shoes) and then went back to the room for a nap.
We joined most of the families for dinner at a local restaurant and then called it a night.
As I mentioned yesterday, this hotel is beautiful. The rooms are clean, modern, and well appointed. One unique feature is that you have to go through the shower to get to the tub. So, Kerri was getting the tub ready to give Michael a bath. Being the helpful husband that i am, I grabbed the oatmeal bath (Michael has sensitive skin), opened the packet and poured it in. On my way back out of the shower area, I bumped the shower valve instantly dousing Kerri with some nice and cold water. Unintentional comedic relief is my new specialty. - and yes, she was able to laugh too.
Michael loves the bath. Tonight was enthralled by the water coming out the spout and was trying to 'catch' it. (the other feature of the bathroom is the picture window out to the room.. Useful for videos of kids in baths)
Good day today. Kerri and I are still fighting a cold, but are on the mend. Tomorrow we get michael's medical exam done, and then we are doing pearl river boat cruise.
-Adam-
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