Our Last Blog from China
Today is our last full day in Guangzhou and we are ready to go! I just bought an enormous, terribly unhealthy rainbow-colored lollipop at the 7-11 across the street in hopes that it will help Louis with the air pressure on the airplane. He has decided that he likes some lollipops, so we'll see how this goes. While Baba went back to the electronics market this morning, Louis and I did a little morning shopping and bought a magnetic fish puzzle for the plane (I hope that gets through security OK), and a sweater that started at 120 yuan and went to 50 yuan before we left the shop. So maybe John isn't the only one who knows how to bargain. John has us all packed except for carry-ons, yet another benefit to marrying someone with organizational skills.
Yesterday we went to the U.S. Consulate and took an oath saying that all the information we had provided was true to the best of our ability. We couldn't take a camera in, but Louis raised his hand when we raised ours--so cute. He wore his monkey sweater. I'll try to send Treasa some photos in a minute so you can see how handsome he is.
John and I are dreading the flights tomorrow and Louis would be dreading them if he knew what was going to happen. He is falling asleep in his stroller behind me, and he just laughed in his sleep. He is such a happy little boy. He laughs and smiles almost all day, except when we are trying to get him to sleep or if we won't let him do something dangerous like play with forks. He is easily distracted, though, so we haven't had too much trouble. He is so sweet and mischievous and full of fun. We are having a wonderful time with him, but we can't wait to get him home. It is hard to set limits in a hotel room where half the horizontal space is a king-size bed which is so much fun to play on. Oh, it will be good to get home!
This morning while Louis was still asleep, I crept out to go to the 6:45 a.m. Mass at the local Catholic church. It was lovely and all in Chinese. It was even more traditional than a typical American Catholic Mass, with the ringing of the bells during the consecration and everyone receiving Communion by mouth rather than by hand. I can't wait to tell Louis about it when he gets older. The people at church were friendly and full of smiles. We have found the Chinese people to be so kind. They are always greeting Louis and chatting with him. And no one in Guangzhou has pulled down his pant legs, even though it has been chilly for the past few days.
This afternoon either John or I has to go back to the U.S. Consulate to make sure the visa for Louis is accurate so we can take him home tomorrow. We leave the hotel at 7:30 a.m. China time and finally land from our third and final flight (weather permitting) at 10:25 p.m. Let's hope the weather holds off and that we can be home and in bed by midnight. Of course, if Louis sleeps on the flight, we may not sleep at all tomorrow night! I calculated this morning that we will be en route for 27 hours or so. It's pretty daunting, but every minute will take us closer to home and to our wonderful family and friends!
Yesterday we went to the U.S. Consulate and took an oath saying that all the information we had provided was true to the best of our ability. We couldn't take a camera in, but Louis raised his hand when we raised ours--so cute. He wore his monkey sweater. I'll try to send Treasa some photos in a minute so you can see how handsome he is.
John and I are dreading the flights tomorrow and Louis would be dreading them if he knew what was going to happen. He is falling asleep in his stroller behind me, and he just laughed in his sleep. He is such a happy little boy. He laughs and smiles almost all day, except when we are trying to get him to sleep or if we won't let him do something dangerous like play with forks. He is easily distracted, though, so we haven't had too much trouble. He is so sweet and mischievous and full of fun. We are having a wonderful time with him, but we can't wait to get him home. It is hard to set limits in a hotel room where half the horizontal space is a king-size bed which is so much fun to play on. Oh, it will be good to get home!
This morning while Louis was still asleep, I crept out to go to the 6:45 a.m. Mass at the local Catholic church. It was lovely and all in Chinese. It was even more traditional than a typical American Catholic Mass, with the ringing of the bells during the consecration and everyone receiving Communion by mouth rather than by hand. I can't wait to tell Louis about it when he gets older. The people at church were friendly and full of smiles. We have found the Chinese people to be so kind. They are always greeting Louis and chatting with him. And no one in Guangzhou has pulled down his pant legs, even though it has been chilly for the past few days.
This afternoon either John or I has to go back to the U.S. Consulate to make sure the visa for Louis is accurate so we can take him home tomorrow. We leave the hotel at 7:30 a.m. China time and finally land from our third and final flight (weather permitting) at 10:25 p.m. Let's hope the weather holds off and that we can be home and in bed by midnight. Of course, if Louis sleeps on the flight, we may not sleep at all tomorrow night! I calculated this morning that we will be en route for 27 hours or so. It's pretty daunting, but every minute will take us closer to home and to our wonderful family and friends!
Oh, my goodness, Louis gets cuter and cuter! And I do love the 'look' and the 'mimicked look' back, lol. Wishing you all a safe and peaceful (or at least semi-peaceful) journey back home. May God Bless You. Sending love and prayers, Mrs. McCarthy
ReplyDeleteI love opening the blog and looking at his wonderful smile. I can't wait to see everyone on Christmas Eve. Our prays are with you for a safe return. Love, Mary
ReplyDeleteSafe travels Rita, John and Louis! - Margaret Z.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels and I will be thinking of you and hoping that you get home on Saturday. You knew it would be an unbelievable day when you brought Louis home -- but you didn't know it would be during the snowstorm of the decade!!! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm sending all good thoughts about you all beating the snowstorm home, but it's coming down at midnight local time with maybe a foot predicted throughout the day tomorrow. I hope your journey of adventure isn't extended, but it's all amazingly better to have Louis with you, whatever the weather!!
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