Our Last Day in GuiYang

Pavilion at night -


view from our room

I am sad to leave; TJ wants to stay too. The people here have been very kind to us - from the produce salesman at the corner who can't believe the number of Mandarin oranges the kids eat to the woman who makes WONDERFUL stir fry to the patient cabbies who try to get us to the right place. It has been a wonderful adventure.

Last night we were able to see the pavilion lit up it was breathtaking. We walked along the river and let people stare at us. Some have been brave enough to try to talk with us, but most just tryto figure us out. I wonder what they think about this strange American family taking away their children. Many people stare and talk amongst themselves and sadly, most smile and seem to think Tian and Trace are lucky to be leaving China for America.

This morning we ALL slept in and then after our usual breakfast terrorizing of the dining room we headed out to the flea market. 4 little boys and a little girl followed us around bashfully saying "hello" and then daring each other to say it again. One boy finally go tthe nerve to tlak to Ty, unfortuantelywe could not understand him. I am sad our CHinese is so limited and most of what we do know they can't understand here. The little boys were aptient and finally had a great time trying to say our names. Their clothes all had English logos so we read them and tried our best to translate through actions and a few CHinese words - they thought that was terrific. Ty sword fought with one and then they chased and played. A womna stopped and asked me if Trace was my only son ( I understood - yeah) I told her I had 4 sons and 1 daughter and she ran to tell her friends and they all came over to see the crazy lady. They were very friendly and talked to Trace and made him smile.

t

OUr two little friends- they did not want their picture taken though

with traffic ...a little terrifying we headed back tot he hotel

Bunnies at the market - they were VERY cute

We took a WILD cab ride that was mor elike the Indy 500 with traffic going th eother direction to let the babies take a nap. The boys headed out to bring back stir fry - Trace ate almost as much as TJ - wowing us with his chopstick skills. They are both sleeping right now and we are trying to get the hotel to allow us to stay a couple extra hours before we check out - our flight doesn't leave until 6 pm....

Our lunch being cooked right out onthe corner- I wonder if it meets sanitation codes...it is best not to think abou tit - just eat it while it is hot:o)