Our last days in Guangzhou and then back to where we began our odyssey…Shanghai.
On Monday, we went to the clinic (the CanAm Clinic – right in the hotel) to have T s stitches removed. Once the doctor was able to assure T that things were ok, he calmed right down. He sat remarkably still while the 4 (not 3 as we’d thought) stitches were gently snipped out. He was quite proud of himself afterwards. The Doctor at the clinic had apparently done many of the adoption medical exams in recent years and he even said that some of the children have even returned to see him on more recent trips. He was very nice and was grateful for our having adopted T. He even gave us a discount on the charges. This was the same clinic that we’d taken Ashley to during her trip. This was where HER Chinese medical odyssey began. Once she saw the doctors at the CanAm clinic and had an X-ray, she was sent directly to another Hospital in GZ. She was released from the GZ hospital just long enough to fly to HK, where, after a brief Skype visit with our CHOP team, she was immediately sent to St. Mary’s Hospital in HK. We were in our hotel at the airport less than 1 hour, before we were again in a taxi, headed to HK Island
This week (Tuesday) also marked a first, we think, since we got Tyler into the pool at the Garden Hotel. He seemed to be OK with it…didn’t love it, didn’t scream bloody murder. He used a life vest, but his big objection was getting water in his ears – probably a new sensation. The other kids helped out as best they could, as Tyler shuffled from Kiddie Pool to big pool. And Kyle secretly raced against a few of the adults who were swimming laps for exercise! We met a lot of the other adoptive families at the pool also, so Tyler got to see them (and their new children) in the pool too.
Tyler’s US Consulate Appointment took an unbearable nearly 2 hours! Phones/Cameras were not allowed in, so the kids occupied themselves with a tired bunch of eclectic diversions, including, interestingly enough, an abacus. The Agent who was processing Tyler’s paperwork, was unfamiliar with his diagnosis, and asked Lisa (who BTW is NOT an ophthalmologist) to explain his condition in detail! It just seemed like so much paper shuffling. On our first three trips, I have to admit that Consulate Day was one of my very favorite experiences.
In the old days, all of the families would be seated in a large waiting room. It was comfortable, and usually filled with adoptees and their families. I recall that it seated about 150 people. One by one, they’d be called up to one of about 10 windows for paperwork and interviews. Having 10 windows allowed them to plow through all of the families in under an hour (usually 45 minutes or thereabouts). It was still a bit of controlled chaos with the Guides, families and children racing about making sure all of the agents questions were answered satisfactorily. The adoptees were usually decked out in various schemes of red, white & blue for their outfits – very patriotic. Once all of the paperwork was done, a representative of the US Consulate General’s Office would come out in front of the crowd. She’d grab a squeaky mic with way too much bass, make a few congratulatory remarks, and then ask everyone to stand for “the oath”. She would ask the adoptees/parents/guardians to raise their right hands and swear that all of the information that was given was true.
As far as oaths go, it wasn’t much – just verifying the truthfulness of the applications and subsequent paperwork. Not an oath of citizenship or an oath of office. BUT… Simply the sights and sounds of all of those American families, gathered in a room 8,000 miles from home, decorated with American Flags, dressed in all manner of red, white & blue, reciting the same words, as their families opened their lives to new little people who would change those lives forever. It ALWAYS put a lump in my throat, and occasionally caused me to fish around in my pocket for something to wipe the one or two tears of pride that welled up. Just an unforgettable experience no matter how you slide it…I miss the old days in Guangzhou. Tyler’s Consulate Day was a great day for him, I just regret that a little bit of the magic was missed.
In the afternoon, we again (same as last year with Ryan and AR) walked to Martyr’s Park (The Guanzhou Uprising Martyr’s Cemetery), near the Garden Hotel. It was a comfortable distance, and with Tyler’s borrowed stroller, much more manageable. The Roller Rink near the entrance was deserted, save for two brave souls who were struggling to stay upright to the blasting beat of the Chinese cover music. The boats and kiddie rides had been put away for the season (we got some great photos there last year with Ryan), and the cleaning crew (mostly volunteers) were hard at work making the park ready for the fall/winter. We did make a pass through the beautiful lotus flower garden / lake, but only a few blossoms remained. We made it back to the hotel moments before the skies opened for one of GZ’s epic downpours.
We celebrated Tyler’s 6th Birthday with a trip to the arcade below the Aeon Shopping Market (we visited there last year as well). He sampled some of the rides and seemed to settle on a spaceship ride as his favorite! He’s not a real ride guy though. The Garden Hotel arranged to have a small Birthday Cake delivered to our room for later in the evening. We were signing Happy Birthday (in Mandarin) to him all day and he clearly understood that this was HIS birthday. He sang along and even raised his hands and clapped some of the times. He was very excited and we were even more excited that he was able to enjoy his day!
The Garden Hotel has a great breakfast buffet, but this is sometimes too overwhelming for Tyler. Too many choices; too match activity. He also seems to need/like to use the bathroom many time during meals (like 15-20 times!). After the first few trips, it becomes a game of watching the flush, more than actually going. Ryan had a similar thing going on last year, but not nearly as frequently. At least he’s been able to sample some things that we know he’ll like at home – note to self: Stop on the way home from the airport for a case of Blueberry Yogurt (or rather Yoghurt as it is known here).
Though communication has been a challenge, the natives here have had a fun time chatting Tyler up – he usually engages with them and usually gets a smiling reaction or a few laughs. (Most times we don’t get to know the punch lines, but that’s OK, we just smile and say thanks.). He chatted with the cleaning lady in McDonald’s! She was very nice but wasn’t sure what to make of Tyler’s asking her to pick him up! She obliged once and then seemed to be able to change the subject. McD’s ordering here is mostly by automated kiosk/screen. They make it very easy to see the menu, but the simple things are sometimes a challenge – Mom had to get a Happy Meal just to get a plain cheeseburger!
Mid-Autumn Festival is coming up and the Garden Hotel appears to be ground zero for Moon Cakes. The pastries come in a fancy box and the Garden’s Moon Cakes apparently are stuffed with Meat (MMMmmmm!) The lines are very long every day… But we we passed. (Beer should be Cold. Coffee should be Hot. Pastries should be Meat-free…just sayin’).
On Wednesday, we waked east from the Hotel (a new direction for us) to visit the Guangzhou Huanghuagang Commemoration Park. We entered through the Red Gate and had a wonderful (yet blisteringly hot) walk around the grounds. There were dozens of tombs and commemorative markers, and lots of visitors. In 1911, Dr. Sun Yat-sen launched an unsuccessful uprising to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and to establish a new democratic country. The park commemorates the sacrifices of 72 martyrs who perished. It’s more of a cemetery than a park. It even has a memorial built for the 72, which is topped by the USA’s Statue of Liberty (symbolizing the martyrs’ noble spirit of fighting for freedom and democracy. That was a huge surprise to see in a park in a country like China. The hills and steps were not designed for strollers or easy access, but we made do with Tyler – it would have been an impossible trip without the stroller.
On the way back, we scooped up a couple localized Chinese Starbucks Coffee mugs to add to our collection. We also treated ourselves to a couple of iced tea drinks – which didn’t last long at all. Did we mention it was hot? We made it back in time to squeeze in FIVE MINUTES of swimming before being chased upstairs to our room by the lightning and thunder. But not before Lisa took a slip, lagging awkwardly on her backside and ankle. She’s getting better every day. After the rain, Kyle, Dylan and Dad made a run to Aeon for a pop-up stroller that we could use in the airports and in Shanghai. Since we were there anyway, we stocked up on more junk food for the trip.
The Garden Hotel hosted a reception for adoptive families who were staying there. It was very well done with good kid food and drinks for the grown-ups. (Dylan was a bit worried that we’d have too much to drink!!). It’s always interesting meeting and seeing other families who’ve chosen Chinese adoption and share the passion for changing lives. We even made some new friends.
Tyler has a touch of “Little Emperor’s Syndrome” and expects a high level of support and maintenance. He does not like it when things do not go his way, and usually lets everyone around in earshot know it. His bathroom buddy has gotten to be Kyle (he’s been absolutely great with Tyler and is a patient and responsible big brother. Ashley waits on him as well to help with teeth brushing and feeding. Things will be changing a bit once we hit Harleysville, especially since our morning routine is so tight. Buckle up little man…
Time for a little potty humor…Ashley was helping Tyler in the bathroom this evening and she was giving a play-by-play (that I will not replay for you here) that had Lisa and me in tears! He’d been a bit…well, backed up, for a few days and the big release was today. What a laugh-out-loud riot. Especially, since it’s usually Ashley that needs the coaching in the bathroom when she goes. That’s enough of that.
In our travels, we’ve come across a number of cats & dogs. Tyler does not want to get close to either. He also likes to open & close doors. Should make for an interesting first few weeks at home with our dog & cats! Tyler is actually a very considerate little boy, who always makes sure that he offers his brothers and sisters some of what he has. He’s gotten to be quite the little sanitation engineer, picking up after himself and his siblings, and making multiple trips to the trash receptacles in McDonald’s. This flies in the face of his propensity to howl with dismay when we gets anything at all on his fingers/hands (e.g. A spot of yogurt at breakfast). Go figure…
He uses a phrase roughly sounding like “YouMogWee” and squeals with laughter when it’s repeated back to him. Neither of our guides knew what it means as it is likely specific to his dialect. The translation apps were useless, as well. Knowing our luck, it’s probably a swear word – and here we are yelling it back at him!! Nice.
We had an early morning call today in Guangzhou, to catch our flight to Shanghai. I’m happy to report that we did not disrupt the passengers on this morning’s flight, save for a few precarious moments prior to take-off. Tyler needed to visit the restroom and we just squeezed it in during the plane’s taxi to #1 for takeoff, just a moment before wheels-up. It’s progress and we’ll take it!
We met our driver at the Pudong airport, and the trip to our hotel was uneventful (if you don’t count his detour to the wrong Marriott Hotel, a few blocks from our actual hotel). Our rooms were not ready, so we ate a quick McD’s lunch, and toured the local neighborhood, making our way to the “People’s Park” down the street from our Hotel. This is at the top of the famous Nanjing Road (ask AR about Nanjing Road!). The park was very nice, however, we lost our bearings a bit, and had to squeeze through TWO areas where older Chinese Men were playing very intense card games – penny-ante, from the looks of the pots and cash piles. They were intense nonetheless, with a few shouts and hollers – probably friendly though. It’s always an interesting comparison when we’re here. China clearly has an aging population but yet we see very few canes and hardly ever see a wheelchair. The parks are sprinkled with areas of what may look like playround equipment, but what are really older folks stretching and strength equipment – and it’s used – A LOT! a lesson we could benefit from…
Then it was up to our rooms to settle in & unpack (and REST) a bit before dinner. Kyle, Ryan, Dylan and I got a big take-out order from KFC, and we picnicked in the room. Then it was baths & showers, and then Teeth-brushing and bed.
That’s the update for now… I will try to fill in the blanks for anything we missed in the next post.
Hopefully you’ve been directed here from FaceBook
Kids are asleep, and so will I be very shortly. Reveille is at 6:00 AM again for a big day tomorrow.
Good night from Shanghai.