Random Thoughts

I can’t wait to see the sun. And blue sky. There is so much pollution in the air over here, the sky has a constant haze covering it. You can tell the sun is up because it’s light outside, but you never actually see the sun like you do at home. I don’t know how they can stand it. And I wonder if it’s just a city thing, or is it like that in the country also? We’re not going out into the country, so we won’t be able to find out.

When Mike came back from his paperwork party yesterday, he had our clean clothes with him. They were very welcomed. I was out of pants and Mike was out of shirts. I have a feeling going without would be frowned upon. We’re hoping Lineker will send clothes out again tomorrow. That way, most of the clothes we bring home will already be cleaned. We’ve washed things out almost every day.

I have to tell you, Chinese women are very serious about their shoes. On our way back from dinner last night, it seemed like every other store was a shoe store. Personally, I don’t see how they walk around in those strappy, high-heeled things, but they buy lots of them. There are at least three shoe stores in our hotel here in Guangzhou. And they aren’t the kind you and I can afford either.

The China Hotel is amazing. I have never stayed in one like it. Of course, I hadn’t stayed in any 5 star hotels before this trip. They have a concierge, bellboys, and 24 hour room service. There are people whose only job is to open the doors at the front of the hotel. There is marble and crystal everywhere you look. And the beds are horrible. Mom would love them because they’re hard as rocks. I am sooooooo looking forward to sleeping on my pillow-top mattress!

Tomorrow is our Consulate appointment. None of us are actually going. The guides take care of all that. They will be submitting all the paperwork that was completed yesterday. On Tuesday we’ll go for the swearing-in ceremony and to get the babies’ visas.

Tomorrow afternoon we’re going back out to Shamian Island. We’re going shopping this time. We’re hoping we can find a stroller to buy to bring back with us. Having one for the airports would be wonderful. Hopefully we’ll be able to find an umbrella stroller that doesn’t cost too much.

Mike has fallen prey to that all-to-common parental mistake. He keeps calling the girls by the wrong name. I wonder what he’s going to do when there’s three of them to keep straight?

Miracle is anxiously awaiting a trip to the pool. The Pestingers went out to the Island and are going swimming when they get back. Miracle just can’t wait any longer. I think she might blow up!!

We haven’t really done anything today. There was a trip to a folk museum scheduled, followed by a tea ceremony. None of us were interested, so we skipped it. We slept late (after 7:00 for me!!), then went to breakfast. Grace again amazed us with her appetite. She had watermelon, French toast, pancake, and oatmeal. The only things we’ve found, so far, that she doesn’t like is ice cream and apple juice.

We have several ministers in our group, and one arranged a church service. It was on our floor, right outside the elevators. You could see our room from the “church.” It wasn’t anything like last week’s service in Beijing, but it was nice to be together and to hear the Word.

After the service, we walked around outside for a little bit. We bought a long sleeved shirt for Miracle for the plane ride home. She about froze all the way over here! We were going to go to McDonalds for lunch, but they were very crowded. We came back to the room instead and had Danny’s again. Maybe McDonalds for supper, I don’t know.

We only have two full days until we get to come home. There’s more time behind us than before us on this trip. We are all so glad.