Monday In Guangzhou

This morning we had some free time before going sight seeing. We walked around Shamian Island and took some pictures of our hotel, the White Swan. Then we went over a canal bridge to see some parts of Guangzhou. We were looking for shops, but only found stores that sold grocery items. After our walk, we met up with some of our adoption group members and went to see the Chen Museum and the Six Banyon Temple. Then we came back after sightseeing and went for a stroll around the Island and we shopped for some more loot! I am not going to write much about today's events, I will use pictures to help me tell you all about them because I am tired!

Our hotel, the White Swan. It is a very nice hotel and the food is good here! It is a little expensive, but good.

A view of the hotel from a couple of blocks away.

A look of Guangzhou from a crosswalk bridge. We crossed the canal bridge to get to the otherside, but then had to walk over a cross walk to find some stores.

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Meghan's favorite place to eat. She loves the mashed potatoes at Lucy's which serves American food. Everything we have had there is really good and of course we like it because Meghan likes their mashed potatoes. She is eating something other than just congee or steamed eggs.

Meghan playing with a stuffed Panda bear in her make-shift play yard. She loves being on the floor playing with her toys. She also started putting her feet and shoes in her mouth! She is really starting to blossom and stronger everyday.

We went sightseeing today and saw the Chen Museum. It was very nice, but uncomfortable because it is so humid outside.

Inside the Chen Museum. This place was fascinating. All of the details are amazing. If it was 15 degrees cooler, then it would be way more enjoyable. But I really liked seeing it.

This is the Six Banyon Temple where the babies are blessed by a Monk. It smelled so good when we walked onto the temple grounds.

Before you enter the Temple, it is customary to light incense. I am not clear about the reasons as to why they do that, but I wil find out the symoblism of this!

The Monk conducting the ceremony and blessing the babies. Both babies were really good, considering how hot and humid it was outside.

The Monk is holding Meghan and she was fascinated with him. She would not look towards the camera.

An adult park. The locals come here and use these strange pieces of equipment to exercise.

Walking around the Island and taking in the sights. This Island is very beautifu.

A look at Guangzhou from across the iver.

Meghan sacked out before we left for the Pearl River Sunset/Night cruise. The next two pictures are from the river cruise. It was a really nice way to end the day and I think the 4th coolest thing we have done on this trip.

Tomorrow we have the "traditional" red couch photos and then the U.S. Consolate appointment later that afternoon.