Two great days

The past two days have been great.  Yesterday we spent time at Shamain Island, the intent was to get Holly Jun's TB test looked at, which we did, and she had zero reaction so we were done.  Then we wandered over to Jordon's and did some souvenier shopping.  I felt really bad for Jordon, his whole life is wrapped up in a store that is slowly becoming a piece of adoption history. 
We had Holly's name written by Jordon in calligraphy, and translated into English,  apparently Holly means Beautiful Tender. 
We ended up getting all of our Shamain Island chochkies at Jordon's, and then just had lunch at Lucy's one last time.  Tim has decided the mint milk shake is a favorite.  After lunch we went to the White swan and took Holly's picture on a red couch, yes they're still there, on the second floor, and i just had to get one of her, since I have one of Myleigh.
On the way back to the hotel we stopped at the LiWan mall again, and did some pearl shopping.  Rebecca showed us her favorite pearl shop, and we watched as they strung and individually knotted each necklace and bracelet.  We ended up spending 30 dollars U.S. for a necklace and bracelet set in medium quality pearls. 
For dinner we had danny's bagels delivery, very authentic Italian.  Matthew was happy, he ate an entire pizza all by himself.  The night before we ate at Sahba , a restaurant that makes malaysian, vietnamese and chinese food.  Matthew was none too happy with what he ordered.  It was supposed to be bbq pork and noodles, but, ended up being mostly fat and bones and a little noodles.  He ordered a drink that was green, probably his first clue that it was going to be different, and it was.  It was like green jello with too much water in it, plus some coconut milk, and noodles.  yes, noodles.  He gave it the old college try, but, it just wasn't going to happen.  We got Holly some delicious coconut rice, soooooo yummy.  Since Matthew was not very happy with his dinner, i decided we would get a pizza or something for him, but, first we had to get the check paid.  Well, about the time we thought we were almost ready to go out the door, they bring out
"free dessert".  It looked like chocolate tapioca, and matthew was a bit happier about that, at least until he took a bite.  It wasn't chocolate.  It was red bean pudding with clear round noodles.  That sealed the deal for him.  we were going to have to get pizza. 
So, today was the Guangzhou Zoo and another shopping mall, the Jusco. 
The zoo is small, but, so pretty.  Lush gardens and palm trees all over, and except for the animal enclosures, it was very pleasant.  The enclosures were about what I expected, small, but, the animals were surprisingly happy, at least they were happier than the animals in our zoo at home in Salt Lake.  The big cats were the ones I felt the saddest for, as they were in very small enclosures, pacing back and forth.  Everywhere they were planting peach trees for the New Year, and probably to dress it up for the 2010 Asian games. 
We first took a shuttle around just to get the lay of the zoo.  It stopped once at the Panda enclosure, where Holly Jun came unglued at the sight of the sole Panda they had there.  It was out and walking around, then started eating a pile of bamboo.  She calls them shomo panda.  According to our guide Vicki, shomo is chinese for panda.  Holly just loves pandas.  After the shuttle tour, we all split up and walked around the zoo on our own.  It was such a beautiful day, and the sun even peeked out a few times. 
After the zoo tour, we headed over to a large multi level mall that had a Jusco department store in it.  The lower level is a grocery store, with so many things I wish we had available at home.  Dozens of mushroom varieties, and fresh fish, and herbs, and great vegetables and fruit.  I could go seriously crazy in that place if I had a kitchen here.  The other levels were clothing, jewelry , just everything you could want.  We found an RC car for Matthew, cheap, and very high quality.  While they were checking out cars, I took Holly , who was sitting in the shopping cart, to look around.  She was fine, and never even batted an eye at the fact that Baba was no where in sight.  We passed some stuffed animals, and she spied a panda.  I, of course, let her take it, and she gave it a big hug and plopped it in the cart behind her. 
We had already picked up some honey covered walnuts, and some dried green grapes, and a tin of different kinds of Oreos. 
We had one last item to hunt for, a special thing to bring home to Mindy, since we already had gotten special things for the other kids.  We found something for her there, got it on sale too, which makes Tim happy, and it's in the coolest box. 
We got back to the meeting point a bit earlier than most of the other families, and what do I spy next to that spot?  A starbucks.  So, we got two kiwi juices, and a caramel machiato for mama, and a souvenier guangzhou starbucks mug.  Ah, the day was complete. 
After we got back, we got take out from the Chinese take out place behind the hotel for lunch, then Tim went on the subway with Vicki to the China Southern office to upgrade our seats.  A little less than 2000 US for all four of us.   
He said it was such an adventure, and not once did he feel unsafe even when in what Vicki warned him would be a sea of people. 
Now we're deciding where to go for dinner, and then, tomorrow, a whole day to do more wandering around the shops in the area around the hotel.  We have to stay in the room until we hear from Rebecca about our consulate paperwork, praying there will be no problems, and then, we're outta here.
Thursday we have our consulate appointment, and Friday, we say bye bye to China and head out for home.  it's been a great trip.


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