JOURNEY TO JUNIPER: Guangzhou

Guangzhou, Guangdong Province

The first thing on our agenda for Guangzhou was our medical exam. Juni passed with flying colors although it was not her favorite day of the trip so far. She even managed to pee on one of the doctors. That's my girl!

This has to be one of my favorite signs so far.

Now I haven't even mentioned anything about Guangzhou. It is like night and day in comparison to Nanchang. There is little smog and we are on a very nice island in the middle of the city. There are not a lot of cars and we can walk through beautifully landscaped pedestrian-only areas. And there is blue sky!!!! It is truly gorgeous.

There are many tourists walking about and they often stop us and ask about Juni. This woman leapt right into our photo and wanted to have her friends take a picture of the three of us too. I feel like a special attraction. Also, we hardly saw other Americans in Nanchang but here on Shamian Island, there are a ton of adopting parents going through the last steps before their oath taking ceremony at the American Consulate.

Juni in the sun. I have no idea if she ever saw it in her home province.

And then we saw another oasis.

Now I'm not a huge Starbucks fan or anything but I tell you what, after drinking Nescafe packets for several days running, a double no-foam latte was near divine. It was a very odd experience walking through the doorway into Starbucks. It felt literally as if we had stepped into a portal and we could have been at a Starbucks in any town in America. Also, we sat out on the sweeping front porch with large arches and tons of trees and it felt like we were on a British colonial movie set.

Juni having a quiet moment with her Daddy....

Okay, maybe I spoke too soon. We are getting there though and each day you can tell she is starting to feel more comfortable around Steve. (Just not in this photo.)

And this is how Mommy feels after carrying Juni for the past several days.

On the way back to our hotel, we saw several photo shoots. Mainly wedding theme related but this one was obviously a fashion shoot. China has a very hip and fashion-forward young generation which must seem so odd to their grandparents generation who wore only government regimented clothing that was both drab and standard issue. Not much green hair and short shorts back then I'm guessing.

When we finally arrived back in the hotel, there was a surprise waiting for us in our room. A "Going Home" Barbie complete with a Chinese baby. No, I am serious. I kid you not.

Oh, I can't believe I haven't mentioned the hotel. We are staying at the White Swan, and yes Dad it is amazing just like you said. The whole place is wonderfully decadent. There is a huge waterfall in the middle of the hotel with plants overflowing the balconies. There are giant koi that glide around in pools beneath your feet and you can walk over a bridge toward the restaurant which overlooks a river filled with brightly-lit boats. Also, the lobby is lined with incredible artwork such as enormous carved jade sculptures and silk paintings. I keep telling Juni not to get too used to it. Can you imagine what she must be thinking/feeling coming from an orphanage to a 5-star hotel? Not to mention going from plain congee to delicious buffet food and different yummy restaurants each day. I'm going to have to step it up a notch in the kitchen when we get home.

After nap time, a bunch of us walked to a nearby restaurant. The evening was lovely and warmish and we walked under rows of palm trees.

Steve and the pug woman outside Lucy's Cafe. For some inexplicable reason we were taken to eat at this cafe on our first evening in a region that specializes in fabulous Cantonese cuisine. Menu items included cheeseburgers and fried chicken and had a decidedly American decor inside. Needless to say, we won't be going back.

After dinner we strolled back to the hotel under the most amazing light displays. The photos simply do not do it justice. The lights drip down from the trees in moving displays. It felt magical.