Monday & Tuesday in Guangzhou

We have not had any appointments or planned trips during the last two days, so we have just been hanging out with friends and spending time walking on the streets. We are staying on a small island surrounded by the Pearl River. The entire island is under construction right now, but the gardens are still kept up and the buildings here have a European look to them. Yesterday we ventured off the island with another family to find the market where they sell all sorts of things used for medicine. After we crossed over the bridge, the streets were lined with small shops selling huge mounds of dried mushrooms and roots, piles of starfish, stacks of dried lizards and snakes, and tons of things that we could not identify. There were several roads and a huge building all selling the same types of dried creatures and plants.

Today as we were passing the park, we noticed that at least a hundred people young and old had gathered together to play a game that is kind of like hackysack. They were gathered together in small groups kicking back and forth these weights with feathers attached. As we were watching, a man came up and kicked one to Mike. Soon there were several other people gathered around and Mike was playing the game! He said that it was a very good workout, and the people playing all seemed to be in very good shape.

Anna Grace made some progress today at the pool. She has been screaming every time we get near the water, but today I brought mini M & M's. She finally let me get close to the pool while she whimpered and ate her chocolate. Finally, after a while she stopped whimpering and let me get close enough to put her feet in (for some more M & M's of course). Before we left the pool, she was happily splashing her feet in the water. Maybe we will be able to get into the pool soon.

We have been enjoying eating at Lucy's each evening with our travel group. The restaurant serves a mix of American and Chinese food, they play American music, and you can eat outside in an area connected with the park. Tonight Anna Grace had a great time eating noodles with one of the older children in our group. She is 8 years old, and she really adores Anna Grace. Anna Grace was so cute copying her as she slurped up her noodles. The rest of our travel group was laughing tonight about how much Anna Grace's personality is coming out. We have decided that it is a good thing that she does not speak English, because she would be in big trouble if we knew what she was saying. The way she points her finger at you and narrows her eyes as she babbles lets you know that she means business! We really are working on manners and we have already had quite a few time-outs from her little attitude. Our travel group says that we better hold on because she is going to give us a run for our money!!

We just have 3 more days left before we can come home. We are really looking forward to hugs from our boys, sweet tea with ice, and a soft bed!