Well, as you can tell we figured out the computer situation in the room so we can post pictures again. Guangzhou has been so relaxing. The Victory Hotel is very nice and we are able to just enjoy our time here. Sichuan was so fast and busy, Guangzhou has not been and we are very thankful for this time. This is where the American Consulate offices are located. That means that every American family in China adopting children come here to finalize everything. Almost all of them stay on this island. So, we are constantly meeting people from all over the country with such amazing stories. Because we came early, most people were leaving yesterday or today and the next set of adoptive parents start arriving today. This enabled us to talk to several families who have been here for 7 days or more and were able to give us some good, practical advice about getting around. There was one really touching story from last night. We ate at an American restaurant called Lucy's (named after "I Love Lucy"). Clearly, families who have experienced local cuisine from all over China get to Guangzhou and flock here to get a taste of home. As we were eating, we saw a family that brought their other children along with them to meet their new adoptive brother. They were adopting a young boy (probably 9 or 10 years old). We don't know his special need, but he clearly had some form of disability (he couldn't walk very well). As the family was leaving they were all playing and having fun. The boy was having trouble walking with them so the father scooped him up to carry him. The father started to walk the wrong way and the family all corrected him and were laughing at him. As he spun around to go in the right direction, the young boy let out a laugh that was so deep and genuine it absolutely brought tears to our eyes (no surprise that Skip couldn't control the tears). That laugh was one of a boy that now knows he is wanted and loved. His family had rescued him and he was going home. No longer an orphan, but a son. We wish we could bottle up that laugh and open it whenever we feel sad. It would heal a broken heart. It certainly lifted our hearts.
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Grant at the Chengdu airport
(elaborating on the last picture of the girl holding the dog) This little dog sits on the corner in front of some shops. His owner must own one. He is usually just watching the people go by. If you stop and speak to him, he may not even look up. In this picture he is two blocks away being carried back to the shop. It is about 4:30, so perhaps he either wandered a couple of blocks away or he went home for a quick rest.
