Guiyang/Guangzhou Day 8

We have arrived safe and sound in Guangzhou and are now settling in to the Garden Hotel.  It's nice to be back in a somewhat familiar setting (we were here 2 years ago with Hannah, though I doubt she remembers any of that time).  We were telling Hannah on the way to the Hotel that some of her most "famous" pictures were taken here :>)

We did enjoy our time in Guiyang and the Hotel and staff there were really very accommodating.

There is something that I meant to mention on Wednesday - it was Hannah's "Gotcha" day.  Two years ago, on 5/28/2010, we met Hannah at the Gloria Hotel in Nanchang - she was not a happy camper, and it took her quite a while to start warming up to us.  She eventually did, and we can't imagine life without her - we love you Hannah!

I thought I would back up one day and show you a few pictures from yesterday's trip to Anshun.

Passing the time with stickers

 

And more stickers ...

Outside the gate of Andrew's Orphanage.

The bus station where Andrew was found

The waiting hall inside the bus station

Inside the bus station

It was a pretty emotional trip for all of us, but mostly for Andrew.  He was able to see a few of the workers at the orphanage, who came out to see him; we are hopeful that this will provide some closure for Andrew going forward.  Apparently, Andrew was quite the charmer and knew just about everyone at the Orphanage; we've already seen evidence of his charming ways, but we'll save that for another post ...

I mentioned this morning that we went to the park after we got back to help release some energy, and I thought you might enjoy seeing some of those pictures as well :>)  Don't know if you can tell, but Andrew is sporting some new shoes - what is it about China and shoes?

After running errands this morning (post office and souvenir shop), we fixed some instant noodles in the room so the kids could take a nap before we had to leave for the airport.

And for those that are wondering, here is a picture of our room at the Novotel.

Pretty spacious as far as Hotels in China go ...

Our guide in Guiyang was Michael, and I can't say enough good things about him.  He was a tremendous help and took very good care of us, making sure we knew where to eat, where the parks were, where WalMart was, ...  Here we are with him just before leaving the Novotel for the airport.

  

We arrived at the airport around 3:30 and passed some time at the KFC before heading to our gate (I know, I said we were done with KFC, but it was really the only option ...).  Andrew was almost beside himself with excitement at being able to ride in an airplane - he squealed with delight when we pulled into the airport, and was a little dejected when we got to the gate 30 minutes early and he couldn't get on the airplane yet ...  Once on the plane, he really wanted to see out of the window, and the only way to do that was to sit in Mama's lap.  So Lois dutifully put the seat belt around him and her and he was completely enthralled :>)  I didn't have my camera handy, but I did have my cell phone, so I snapped a few quick pictures of us on the plane.
 

 

Hannah reading the newspaper on the plane :>)

Mmmm, tasty chicken with rice :>)

I don't know if you can tell or not, but Andrew has a fork in one hand and a spoon in the other and he was definitely chowing down ...  His cleft palate hasn't slowed him down one bit (he can also use a straw, which is pretty amazing to me ...).  We may be eating rice for a while once we get home ...

So, I think we are now caught up.  Tomorrow is the medical exam which will include a TB test - not looking forward to that.  You may or may not remember Hannah's take on the whole medical exam - it wasn't pleasant ...  She screamed from the moment we took her out of the stroller until we put her back in it - I remember it like it was yesterday :>)  She has come such a long way since then ...

Until tomorrow ...