Guangzhou Zoo 1/31/2008

Today was another cold day. It is hard to find something to do with two families and three younger kids. You can’t go shopping all the time (although Chinese people seem to do that).

We got up late this morning and skipped breakfast for a brunch with noodle soups from a small diner on the street and fresh bread from a bakery. From there we went on to take the subway to the west part of Guangzhou near the sport center and met with Sue’s sister and her family. On the spot we decided to go to the zoo that was in the general area. It turned out to be quite a walk and we took a break at McDonalds. It was more a break to warm up again from the cold than a break for food. The kids enjoyed the play area. After that we made our way to the zoo. It is worth to mention that our team of Chinese Guides (J) lead us right passed the entrance and did not realize it until we where at least ½ mile further down the road. We all paid too much attention to the restaurants on the street. Finally we made it and had a great time. The zoo was fairly nice but would have been real pretty if the weather would have been close to “normal”.

The kids had a lot of fun watching the animals and the afternoon went by really fast. We did not realize how cold we were until we arrived at the restaurant afterwards.

We had some good traditional northern style Chinese food, just the way they serve it in Sue’s hometown area. The only “strange food” was donkey sausage. Bert had it before when he ate with Turkish friends and it tastes really not bad – just like meat.

After a great meal we went back to the hotel. We chose to get off the subway one stop before the stop closest to the hotel so we could walk pass the shopping district again. We did not buy anything, but like to the excitement of shoppers in China. We had ice cream from McDonald and shopped some snacks on our way back. We arrived by 9 PM and everybody was ready to settle down.

Although we wish we had better weather, we think we did the best we could with the situation. We had great time strolling around in the Zoo, but it was cold. All the stores were closed at the Zoo and some of the animals were refuse to show off.

We are READY to go home now. We got the good news this morning that our entire VISA paperwork is done and we will swear in for Jenny tomorrow as US citizen. We will receive her visa package tomorrow afternoon. Our appointment is at 3:00 pm at the consulate. It will be exciting. Please keep us in your thoughts and pray for this important day for us. After that, we will be here for another day. We will be home on Sunday, 2/3. Thanks to the Szalai’s for letting us park our car at their home and for offering to pick us up at the Detroit airport. This will save us a lot time so we can hope to be home on time for the Supper Ball game!

Anna and Jenny are still battling it out. Today Anna kept her distance from Jenny. And if Jenny got something, Anna wanted it too and vice versa. Even the with the seats in the subway we ran in trouble; when one set down the other one wanted that seat. Berthold thought that they both should walk on their own, but Sue got them two strollers anyway because she thought Jenny is weaker and lack of exercise. She was more tired of Anna fighting with Jenny about stroller or being carried. They both were excited to have the strollers early in the morning and pushed their stuffed animals themselves. Sue thought they would stay that way, but soon she found out that they did not want to walk at all. It is quite embarrassing to have two such big girls in the strollers which are really for babies. They both seem to want to be babied. Anna even tried to drink from Vincent’s bottle today. Oh well, we have to do what we need to do to keep them happy.

Don’t get this wrong, it is not “poor Anna” or “poor Jenny” they both are very much alike. Jenny has the advantage that only Sue can talk to her but otherwise she is just as guilty.