Thanks so much for visiting us during our journey, Steve, Allison, Sean, Megan and Ryan!
An invisible red thread connects those who are destined
to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance.
The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break.
-An Ancient Chinese Belief
After another great breakfast buffet, we took some pictures at the large fish pond in the hotel lobby. Ryan loved the big fish (it seemed like he was picking one out for lunch). We played in the playroom for a while, then did, you guessed it, some more shopping. We shopped at the same stores as yesterday and got better discounts (they always immediately say "we give you good deal"). More locals outright asked us if he was adopted or our biological child. When we said he was adopted, they are surprised saying he is very handsome with large eyes....one even suggested he was a Chinese minority (we will explain later). One older store owner was very kind to Ryan, even wiping his nose and giving him a free play toy.
We bought silk mandarin dresses and shoes for Megan as well as a couple Chinese outfits for Ryan for this evenings dinner and tomorrows swearing in ceremony at the U.S. embassy. This evening we had photos and dinner with the guide and the two other Western Michigan families we met in Beijing (but all went to different Provinces). The photos went very well (apparently this is a big deal and takes a while), all three children smiled and looked at the cameras!
The guide took us to her favorite Cantonese restaurant a block from the hotel. As we entered into the lobby, we walked passed tanks with silk worms, sand worms, turtles, snakes, crabs, small black things with legs (perhaps beetles), roasted pigeons, snails, gooey ducks (Sean and I saw these on The Discovery Channels "Dirtiest Jobs" show), and other living creatures ready to be selected for a meal! As we sat down, the guide said we wouldn't have to eat the things we saw walking in...big sigh of relief from all of us (I told her I knew what I didn't want to eat!). The meal turned out to be very good, just a little challenging with three toddlers fussing and out doing each other (not a kid friendly restaurant..had to ask for napkins). After dinner, the four of us went back to the playroom for a night cap of fun.
Once again at dusk the water front, buildings, landscaping and boats came to life with lights...but tonight they had a laser light show choreographed to music and cartoons electronically projected on a twenty-story building (the biggest Sponge Bob we ever saw!). It's like Las Vegas on the river! Tomorrow we will take a boat cruise to see the show.
Tomorrow is the big day for Ryan to officially become a U.S. Citizen and recognized as our son by the U.S. government!!!!!
