Consulate Appointment

Today was Brady's consulate appointment. He was granted a visa to come to the US, which will be picked up tomorrow afternoon. Then, the next morning, we leave for home.

It's a 24 hour journey home, but because of the time difference, we get there just half a day after we leave.

After our appointment today we went to Shamian Island for an hour. Shamian Island is where the US Consulate and medical examination used to be, so all adoptive families used to stay there. The major hotel there is closed for remodeling, so most families are not staying on the island these days.

Having been there today, I would have rather stayed on the island. There were much fewer people on the island then in the expensive downtown district where we are staying. Most of the streets are pedestrian only, so you don't risk your life every time you venture out (I got "bumped" by a car yesterday). However, because of the lack of traffic, some shops have closed down.

We were only there for an hour, and with a toddler who insists on being carried, and the heat, we didn't get much shopping done. It was a lovely place though.

The rest of the day we spent at the pool and dinner. Check out the plastic gloves that were sent with Brad's leftover pizza.

We have nothing to do tomorrow. Just hang out here and wait to go home. I'm mildly jealous of the families here who came in groups because they have activities and sightseeing planned all of the days.

You should see this hotel we are in. It's a far cry from the tiny rooms in Beijing and Taiyuan. It's a two room suite with a huge living room area. The bathroom is also huge and has the aforementioned shower/tub combo room, which is great fun. It has a rain shower and an electric screen that comes down to separate it from the bedroom. Our breakfast buffet is huge. There is so much food, and so many varied types of food, it is incredible. And there's a waterfall and garden by the pool. When you go to the pool, they follow you out to bring you towels and drinking water.

See ya in a few!