Guangzhou is the 3rd largest city in China. Westerners know this city as Canton, a
name derived from a mispronunciation of Guangzhou (in the Cantonese dialect).
Canton is mainland China's international trade city, and has thus been exposed to
Western influence since the 17th century (a long time). Therefore, this city is markedly
different than the others we have visited. First, we are no longer a novelty.
Westerners are everywhere and we walk around unnoticed.
Secondly, the Chinese food is Cantonese (vs. Mandarin or Sichuan),
which is more similar to what is found in American Chinese restaurants. I
say this cautiously because the Cantonese people are looked down upon
by Northern Chinese who say that "Cantonese people will eat any thing
with four legs except the table, and anything that flies except a butterfly".
In the good restaurants the entryway is full of glass tanks showing off
your live entree choices; eels, beetles, silk worms, snakes are common.
In the Qingping market the streets are full of the bizarre; here you can
expect to see owl, cat, dog, and the unidentifiable. I promise to get you
all some good pictures of that!!!
We are staying on Shamian Island, a peaceful half-mile long
stretch of land on the Pearl River. This island is also known
as "Baby Island". Over 500 Chinese babies pass through the
American Consulate (located on the island) every month
before heading to the U.S. We are staying at the White
Swan Hotel, famous for visiting dignitaries and adoptive
parents. On this small island there are Americans
everywhere, each one with a new baby. The merchants on
the island cater to our every weakness. They are on every
corner, and they sell baby clothes, souvenirs, laundry
service, and luggage to get all our extra purchases home.
We are here for two reasons. First, Travers must pass a basic physical exam. He
is measured for height and weight. His hearing and vision is checked, and he has
basic ear, nose and throat examination. Finally, a doctor checks for signs of
quarantine-able diseases such as measles and chickenpox. Even though we
checked the day before, we are told that Travers has a low grade fever. Monday
night Travers developed a sever cold, we took him to the doctor on Wednesday
morning and found out he has bronchitus. He is on Western antibiotics and should
be fine soon.
The second reason we are here is to obtain U.S. approval of the adoption and to
acquire his Visa for travel. We go to the Consulate today at 3:30PM for our final
appointment of this adoption process. After today, we are on our own.
On Wednesday, September 22nd, 2004 most adoptive
parents departed Guangzhou for the U.S. All thirteen
families took the last night to have dinner together; we all
took this opportunity to take pictures of our new friends with
their new children. We came from all over the U.S., from 9
different states. Four families were adopting for the 2nd
time, three have previously adopted from China. Grace
(a.k.a Ting), a 6 year old, was the only older child adopted in
our group. I have an innate sense that some of us will be
back. I have no doubt that Heather and I will get back as
soon as possible.
