Shamian Island, Pearl Market, and the Guangzhou Zoo

Yesterday was our shopping day.  We started out at the pearl market. Six floors of stores. Lots of stores. Thankfully our guide knew right where the reputable ones were. We would have been wandering aimlessly for hours on our own. My shopper friends would have loved it. We looked at a couple of pearl stores, a jade store, and an embroidery store. Then we left to go to Shamian Island. This is the place to souvenir shop. We only went to a few shops, not because we didn't want to look, but because we had a cranky kid. Tim really enjoyed bartering with the shop owners. I would shop and he would barter. It worked out well. Then we at lunch at a little place called Lucy's. This was a very western style restaurant. They have a nice outdoor patio, but we opted for inside seating due to the humidity outside and air conditioning inside. 

Back at our hotel, Luke took a nice long nap and we met the other family we are traveling with for dinner. Of all the places to eat here in China, we chose the Irish Pub. Good ole fish 'n chips. 

And have I mentioned those baby steps we celebrate along the way?  Last night, we had very little crying at bedtime. Luke was fussy so I put on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. We watched that together and then Luke just laid on the bed with  his head on my lap. He eventually fell asleep without a peep. This is a big change from the two hours of screaming we have been getting. You adoptive mommas know what I am talking about. 

Today, we started early to head to the Guangzhou Zoo. Boy was it humid.  The zoo was a nice little zoo with giraffes, elephants, tigers, lions...pretty much like an American zoo.  It also had two pandas, but they were inside and not cooperative for pictures. 

And of course a statue of Kung Fu Panda!

We also watched an acrobatic show at the zoo. There was a family that performed. A young brother and sister, and their mom. We didn't make it quite through to the end of the show. We had some children, and parents ready to leave. It was so humid our clothes were soaked through. Air conditioning sure felt good when we got back to the van. 

Now, we get to relax the rest of the day. We are waiting for TB results and a passport to arrive later today. Tomorrow is our last appointment. We apply for Luke's visa at the US Consulate. We are in the home stretch!