Update

Guangzhou is chilly!! Today, though, the sun was out and we strolled up and down the various Shamien streets popping in and out of little (and are they ever little) stores which are crammed with things to buy. Sales people are desperate for the sale and try every trick in the book to keep you in their store. They're really delightful people.

We saw Mei Lian and her family today and Ai Li just lit up with joy to see her friend. They jabbered on and we agreed to meet later for dinner. We ate at Lucy's tonight - the kids were at one table and adults at another. Sweeeeeeeet. Hotel rooms are close quarters.

I have advice for anyone travelling with adolescents. Bring odor eater foot or shoe powder!!! This is my favorite thing that I remembered to pack. A roll of packing tape has helped on more than one occasion also.

We met a storekeeper who remembered the Wees family - isn't that lovely? Kirsten, it was Dong and I told him I'd say hello to you all.

Ai Li is more and more comfortable in her role as a family member here. She's spunky, fun and came to remind me this morning to put her ear drops in. She's messed with me a few times (teasing and playing with mom, which has made my day!). Another thing she'll do is imitate one of us in a playing way and then have a fit of giggles. I can't wait to post some of the photos that show her face in full Ai Li mode!!

We played alphabet bingo this morning and she's quite the little game shark. Colors/shapes bingo not as much fun as 'yellow octagon' just isn't quite as easy to grasp. I thought it was either color or shape but it's not. We still had fun. She catches on quickly.

I forgot to mention that when we were in Guilin, we were offered special bottles of wine (look like giant versions of the old apothecary glass bottles with the glass cork thing). We could choose from the in-your-face delivery of each type. There was snake wine, lizard wine and another critter wine - each bottle with an assortment of it's species in it. REVOLTING. I cannot tell you how much I hated that moment!

Also, at the restaurant there where Steve got to choose our live, fresh fish, there was also some pheasant, some ducks, a chicken and 4 wild rats which were the size of beavers, I kid you not. My animal loving Molly was ready to start a riot and we told her that if they weren't eaten by a certain time they were set free. Yes, we lied to her, and yes, she was able to go in and eat. We did, however, ask our guide which was her favorite animal and she said she does not like the taste of wild animals. Phew!

We have two full days left here and hope to maximize both of them. We have a van arranged to take us to the airport, with a pick up time on Saturday morning of 5:30. Breakfast will be served on the flight between here and Tokyo. I probably won't post again before we leave, but look forward to getting settled in at home, sorting through photos and posting again.

This has been a most amazing journey with lots of growing and learning moments for each and every one of us. How cool is that!