Consulate Appointment

This morning we left at 7:30 to catch out 8:30 a.m. appointment with the U.S. Consulate. In this second to last step, we take an oath swearing that all the information we have submited is true and correct. The oath takes less than 2 minutes. Afterwards, each family is called up to the counter to verify their child's paperwork and sign their child's visa application.

After our appointment, we returned to the hotel for a late breakfast. We went to the Guangzhou Friendship Store, where there were lots of brand name high end retailers, then ventured around the block to find a trust-mart (wal-mart) where we scored some more diapers/wipes. After a quick return to the hotel, we hopped a taxi to Shamian Island for some souvenier shopping and an early dinner at Lucy's. Shamian Island just isn't the same without the vast numbers of adoptive families residing there at the White Swan hotel. The hotel (we heard) will be closing on 9/16 for a full year to undergo renovations. Several of the shops on the island have closed or moved. Almost all the shops we entered had their lights off to conserve energy and only turned them on after you entered the store.

We finally got Mason's dragon jade necklace. I'm pretty sure that The Great Wall, and a dragon jade necklace were the only two things on this checklist for China. And he was getting pretty nervous about getting it before we left! (Especially since we didn't get it yesterday like we thought were would)

Poor Weston was so hot, he slept in his stroller most of the time. I felt so bad for him, I would drip water on his head and slick it back while he slept, just incase a breeze would come by and cool him off. We were quite a site before the day ended, as I had Mason on my shoulders while pushing Weston in a stroller, or I had Mason on my shoulders while lugging an empty (but big) suitcase from behind. (We decided to buy a 3rd suitcase to bring home all our goodies this time)



Our very last stop was Jenny's Place, and we purchased a Calabash flute. At first I was more interested in their string instrument, but could not picture it making it home in one piece, or what to do if it broke in the future. The guy played the flute very well, matching the CD music playing in the background. Once I heard it was an instrument from Yunnan province, I knew I'd get one. I asked the guy if he was Yunnan, he said, "No, but my teacher is from Yunnan".

I got one for myself, and one for Mason. 2 cases, and even the guy's CD, which I made him sign. (Only later do I add 2 plus 2 and figure out why the guy was able to play along with the background music so easily).

We finish Shamian Island with another supper at Lucy's, and what might be our last tour of the White Swan Hotel waterfall, fish, and 1st floor shops





Back at the hotel, Mason is piping away, little brother watching on and smiling.



Looks like we could form a US Calabash Team:
http://allmysisters.blogspot.com/2010/03/calabash-flute.html