Thursday, October 15, 2009
Well, last night was rough. We left for the airport at 3:00. Our flight was delayed 3 and one half hours. So we landed in Guanzhou at 2:00am and arrived at the hotel at 3:00. Guang Guang really wanted to fly, so he fussed and tried to get on other airplanes. Also, by the time we finally boarded he was exhausted. He was very excited for the first part, then began crying. We flew for 15 minutes then touched down in Batou. They asked everyone to get off the plane and reboard in 10 minutes. Thankfully Thomas was able to get permission for us to stay on the plane because Hamilton had already begun crying. I ended up moving to 3 vacant seats at the front of the plane and rocking him like an infant, while he slapped at my face until he fell asleep. He was so tired and angry. I pray the flights to the US are much more peaceful, although, I am quite nervous because we will not have Thomas to translate for us.
When we arrived at the airport at 3:00, we were circled by “black taxi” drivers. Thomas says they are not real taxis and charge more. Our hotel bus was not there yet, so they circled us until it arrived. It was a bit scary! Dad went to Nimbo on Monday. He was supposed to meet us at the Guanzhou airport at 10:30. Our flight was late, and he did not know what hotel we were staying in. So after our driver arrived, we drove to the other terminal to find him. Thomas found him asleep on a bench! He said he thought we missed or caught an earlier flight, so he just settled in for the night! Needles to say, it was a tiring and comical night!
Today we woke up around 8:30 and went to breakfast. We are staying at the White Swan. It is a hotel famous for adoption. After breakfast we went for Hamilton’s medical exam. It was in a clinic. It was much quicker and easier than I expected. They measured his head, weight, and height. Then he got 4 vaccinations and a TB test. We will get the results of the TB test on Saturday. He began crying once he saw the shot area—poor kid.
We passed a park on the way to the clinic and played on the way home. He loved that. Then we went shopping at Jordans. They sell the squeaky shoes. Hamilton got a pair for $5.00. They squeak when he walks! He also got a new ball and a toy airplane.
The White Swan is located on Shamian Island. It is beautiful. It is wonderful to see green again! It is warm and tropical. There are a lot of adopting families. It has been fun to meet and talk with a few. We met two families traveling together in the clinic this morning. There is a picture of Hamilton talking to Julia. She is moving to California. We met a family from Virginia and Alaska. I love hearing English!! Also, we had a huge American breakfast buffet this morning. I finally felt completely full. I had an omelet with cheese (there has not been cheese at other hotels), two bananas, bacon, and a chocolate croissant. I did venture out to eat meat and other suspicious foods earlier in the trip. But mostly I ate noodles with Hamilton. The hotel also has 2 swimming pools, a playroom, and a fish pond with a waterfall. It is beautiful! We just got back from the pool. It was cold, but Hamilton loves to swim. I think we are going to walk around the island tonight and find somewhere to eat dinner. Thomas is not with us now, but he told us about several restaurants- Mexican, thai, german, American, and French.
Hamilton is back in good spirits after his nap. He is beginning to have small tantrums, but always goes right back to his jovial self. He is enthralled with everything and probably a bit over stimulated at this hotel. But it is so worth it. If I have to stay in China another week, this island is the place to be!!
Sorry to worry some of you last night! We were in the airport with out internet service and slept late this morning. Also, we had to pay and hook up to the Internet service at the hotel.
Well, last night was rough. We left for the airport at 3:00. Our flight was delayed 3 and one half hours. So we landed in Guanzhou at 2:00am and arrived at the hotel at 3:00. Guang Guang really wanted to fly, so he fussed and tried to get on other airplanes. Also, by the time we finally boarded he was exhausted. He was very excited for the first part, then began crying. We flew for 15 minutes then touched down in Batou. They asked everyone to get off the plane and reboard in 10 minutes. Thankfully Thomas was able to get permission for us to stay on the plane because Hamilton had already begun crying. I ended up moving to 3 vacant seats at the front of the plane and rocking him like an infant, while he slapped at my face until he fell asleep. He was so tired and angry. I pray the flights to the US are much more peaceful, although, I am quite nervous because we will not have Thomas to translate for us.
When we arrived at the airport at 3:00, we were circled by “black taxi” drivers. Thomas says they are not real taxis and charge more. Our hotel bus was not there yet, so they circled us until it arrived. It was a bit scary! Dad went to Nimbo on Monday. He was supposed to meet us at the Guanzhou airport at 10:30. Our flight was late, and he did not know what hotel we were staying in. So after our driver arrived, we drove to the other terminal to find him. Thomas found him asleep on a bench! He said he thought we missed or caught an earlier flight, so he just settled in for the night! Needles to say, it was a tiring and comical night!
Today we woke up around 8:30 and went to breakfast. We are staying at the White Swan. It is a hotel famous for adoption. After breakfast we went for Hamilton’s medical exam. It was in a clinic. It was much quicker and easier than I expected. They measured his head, weight, and height. Then he got 4 vaccinations and a TB test. We will get the results of the TB test on Saturday. He began crying once he saw the shot area—poor kid.
We passed a park on the way to the clinic and played on the way home. He loved that. Then we went shopping at Jordans. They sell the squeaky shoes. Hamilton got a pair for $5.00. They squeak when he walks! He also got a new ball and a toy airplane.
The White Swan is located on Shamian Island. It is beautiful. It is wonderful to see green again! It is warm and tropical. There are a lot of adopting families. It has been fun to meet and talk with a few. We met two families traveling together in the clinic this morning. There is a picture of Hamilton talking to Julia. She is moving to California. We met a family from Virginia and Alaska. I love hearing English!! Also, we had a huge American breakfast buffet this morning. I finally felt completely full. I had an omelet with cheese (there has not been cheese at other hotels), two bananas, bacon, and a chocolate croissant. I did venture out to eat meat and other suspicious foods earlier in the trip. But mostly I ate noodles with Hamilton. The hotel also has 2 swimming pools, a playroom, and a fish pond with a waterfall. It is beautiful! We just got back from the pool. It was cold, but Hamilton loves to swim. I think we are going to walk around the island tonight and find somewhere to eat dinner. Thomas is not with us now, but he told us about several restaurants- Mexican, thai, german, American, and French.
Hamilton is back in good spirits after his nap. He is beginning to have small tantrums, but always goes right back to his jovial self. He is enthralled with everything and probably a bit over stimulated at this hotel. But it is so worth it. If I have to stay in China another week, this island is the place to be!!
Sorry to worry some of you last night! We were in the airport with out internet service and slept late this morning. Also, we had to pay and hook up to the Internet service at the hotel.
Posts
Kem,
ReplyDeleteI love reading your posts! Your travels have certainly been eventful!! Think of all of the stories you will have to share with Hamilton when he is older!
Terri
Hi Kem,
ReplyDeleteWe're following along with your excitement and are excited ourselves to share in this experience with you.
I'm praying things go as easily as possible for the rest of your journey.
Lots of love,
Kaye and Misha
I remember that pool! I am so glad the White Swan is working out well. I hope the rest of the process continues to run smoothly. I am praying for yall and can't wait to meet you family. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
ReplyDeleteFrances Heald