Today was a rather lazy day. The only planned activity was the dinner cruise on the Pearl River in the evening. Our consulate appointment was also today, but our coordinator was the one who went to the consulate. All we had to do was assign one of us to wait by the phone from 11 until noon in case there were paperwork problems. There weren't. We did some shopping at the local souvenir vendors. Josh found a copy of the movie National Treasure 2 which he got for 15 yuan (a little over two bucks) and we watched it at night. There's a reason the cheap copies are cheap. Several times during the movie, the dvd froze up but then started going again a few seconds later. We enjoyed the movie, however.
We took the hotel bus to the dinner cruise. On the way, Abigail and Michael were peppering Leila (our coordinator) with questions about what was going to happen next. I'm sure there's many questions in their heads and will be for some time to come.
When we were in Xi'an, Abigail thought our hotel room was "home" and after Jane told her we would be leaving for a different place, Abigail wondered how we were going to take all our stuff along (the furniture) and if someone else was going to buy the room when we were gone.
The communication gap is still pretty big. Abigail understands "eat", and when we told her that we would eat on a boat in the evening, we thought we had communicated it to her successfully until Abigail asked Leila if "eat" and "boat" meant the same thing.
Abigail loved the cruise. She stood on the top deck next to Deb and squealed in delight many times, perhaps not so much with the lights along the river, but with the motion of the boat and the wind in her hair.
Eating ice cream along the Pearl River. We got a tip from another family that the Magnum bars purchased at the 7-Eleven were really good. We would agree.
Dinner on the boat. Abigail now understands that "boat" and "eat" are two different things because she has now experienced them both. She has experienced more modes of travel in these two weeks (plane, taxi, bus, car, boat and [soon] train) than in her entire life.
The "we were there" picture
Abigail found the whole experience highly delightful.
Lights along the Pearl River
6 comments:
We will be anxious for you all to get home - it's just not the same without you sitting across the way from us at church! I hope Abigail comes to love her new church home :)
It will be so great to introduce her to HOME, where you get to stay for more than a few days! She must be so confused - I imagine it is not something she can comprehend yet.
We are thankful for your health these past days, and pray for strength for the last days of your journey.
It is so awesome to see how everyone is enjoying themselves. Deb: I loved that picture of you and Abigail on the boat where she seems to be thouroughly enjoying herself - as do you! I already see that fear about raising a daughter after having only boys for 17 years erasing from your face. You are going to be great with her! Can't wait to see you guys next weekend! Hannah and Caleb are working on a couple of Chinese words so they can at least greet their new cousin.
Blessings and safe travels,
Sherry
We can't wait for you to all get home safely. I have salty buns made and chocolate chip cookies waiting for you. Most of all, we can't wait to meet Abigail!!!!
We are looking forward to meeting Abigail. I am also anxious to hear of your trip and see your pictures. It looks like you have had many great experiences. i am sure you are all anxious to get home though. Travel for this long is wearing on all. We pray for safe travel for you and look forward to seeing you.
Dennis, Sue and Emily
It has been a joy to follow along with your adventure. There has been so many new sensations and experiences for all of you. It's going to be another huge new experience for Abigail when she meets the American culture for the first time. This is so good that you get to start the bonding process in her home environment.
I'm going to have a hard time waiting to get to meet Abigail but she'll need just you guys for a while. I am continuing to pray.
We are dying to see pics of Hong Kong. We will pray for your travels home and Abigails adjustment to America.
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