This is our last full day and night in Guangzhou. We were required to spend an hour this morning in our room while our CHI coordinators represented us at the US Embassy. We passed with flying colors.
We then joined the rest of our large group on the second floor lobby for the traditional red couch pictures. This was an event that I had looked forward to for a long time. All the children in the travel group are dressed in traditional Chinese clothes and joined together for a big group picture. Since most of the kids in our group are older, the scene was less chaotic than usual. It was fun to see them all together. When we got out the traditional pink dress for Hong Mei to wear it was the first time she showed an interest in clothes. She really squealed for that dress. She also introduced me in the lobby (in Chinese of course), “This is my Mama.” Usually she just tells people, “This is my Baba.”
After pictures we went shopping on Shiaman Island. We bought a few things. Shopping with Hong Mei is a challenge. Fortunately the shop keepers in this area are accustomed to active little girls and will play with your child while you shop. Hong Mei and I played in the White Swan playroom while Baba got some work done on the computer; then naptime for the three of us. We enjoyed the last big dinner with the whole group at a traditional Chinese restaurant. We have had such a great time in China. It is a wonderful country and culture. We are so grateful for the experience.
Tomorrow Hong Mei is sworn in as a US citizen. When we land in LA, California she will be America’s newest citizen.
This will be our last post here in China. We will let you all know how we did on the trip back. Thanks for all your prayers and love.
Goodnight,
Joanna
And they that shall be of thee shall build up the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the paths that dwell in. Isaiah 58:12
