Today we left Guangzhou and headed back to Beijing. 2 other families have also journeyed with us. We will all stay at the Wangfujing Grand Hotel for the next few days. Catherine did just great on the 3 hour or so flight. I think the scariest part was when our guide dropped us off at the airport in GZ and we had to fend for ourselves getting through security and over to our gate. Not as easy as it may seem. But we had enough time to spare, that we did just fine.
This afternoon, Catherine, James and I stayed behind at the hotel as we weren't feeling very well. Mark went on a tour that included a stop at a local kindergarten. He very much enjoyed meeting the children and the teachers. In one of the pictures, the one with the wall mural, if you look closely you can tell it is a climbing wall, similar to a rock wall. The children scale the wall and walk the wall. Gaining strength with their gross motor skills. According to Mark, it gives a whole new meaning that the kids are climbing the walls! Mark also went to the home of a local family where he had lunch. He also was schooled in the art of raising crickets! Hence the pictures of Cricket Man, his local family host. Mark said the home was very small, sparsely decorated yet very inviting.
James spent most of the day down at the pool. It is an indoor pool with lifeguards. So I didn't mind him going alone. He also was able to use the steam room, great for his asthma, and the sauna. He is living in the lap of luxury in these 5 star hotels! Home is going to seem like a pup tent to him. Catherine and I spent time alone. Bonding, playing, napping and just having girl time hanging out. When Mark returned we all went down to the pool together. I ventured into the steam room as I am totally congested with an ear ache. The flight home should be a joy for me. Catherine loves the pool. Good thing as she will be a Florida babe very soon. She will be spending lots of time in the pool with the family this summer.
Tomorrow is another free day for us here in Beijing. We leave Monday, May 1st for Florida. We can't wait. While we have loved this journey to Catherine and her homeland, we are very much missing home. Our new pillow top mattress is calling our name! Please enjoy the pictures. Thank you all for the emails and prayers. We firmly believe God has opened our eyes and our hearts along this journey. We pray that we will be good stewards for His work upon our arrival home.
