Guangzhou - Day 2

Hi, Everyone,
Well, it’s another horrific bedtime ... and just when we thought things were getting better, but then many things are that way – the stock market, Pabst Blue Ribbon, the script writing on General Hospital – there is some kind of underlying rule to which all of these things are subject.

Interaction and mood couldn’t have been better until it was time to settle down and transition to lights-out. We made a sign “Quiet, Please”, but it didn’t work today, either. We can hardly wait until Max learns to read. We can hear in another room another family having similar trouble. Or maybe Max slipped out of his crib and is trying his luck with someone else... better check. No, he’s still there and finally quiet. Tomorrow we’ll see if the other family wants to borrow our sign.

Today was a pretty good, low-key day. No touring; got up late (about 7:15) and gradually got everyone ready to go to breakfast which was also quite leisurely. We wandered around the huge hotel for awhile and then parted company. Michelle and the kids went to the playroom and I went to the Guest Clinic. I’ve been dealing with a sinus infection for several days and it became apparent it wasn’t going away by itself. The clinic is actually two regular hotel rooms with a door between them. The waiting room and pharmacy are the first room and the exam room is in the second. There’s also a very small exam room off the waiting room that looks like it’s used for the doctor to sleep. It was about 10am by this time and the doctor answered the door. She was an older Chinese lady who spoke only Chinese and herself didn’t look all that well. She called to her assistant who magically appeared after some plumbing noises and inquired about my problem. She spoke very broken English, and between her English and my very beginner Chinese, we all got around to the same page. I wanted Erythromycin, which has worked well in the past. They didn’t have an American version, but the doctor found an equivalent Chinese formulation they did have. It may be made out of cats for all I know, but if it works I don’t have a problem with it. The antibiotics, doctor visit and adventure all came to 80 yuan (about $12 US). We regrouped in the playroom where the kids played (actually together for awhile!). We played a bit and talked with other parents. It’s mostly western parents who use the playroom. There must be a good anthropological reason for this – or maybe the eastern families simply bring better toys with them.

After a light lunch in the room, Michelle dealt with naptime, which was inevitably successful, and I met with Molly to complete a bunch of paperwork which looks like it also will inevitably be successful. Later, we decided to go to the Cantonese restaurant in the hotel, which was fantastic when we were here last time. It is still fantastic. It’s quite a formal place. We were substantially under-dressed, but they understood our situation and it wasn’t very busy at that time, anyway. Max was a big flirt as usual and Kira couldn’t sit still as usual. Fortunately, there was an unoccupied private room that was right next to us. She could dance and sing in there while we kept an eye on her and Max finished her supper and part of ours. It's a good thing that the Chinese people love kids. We'd have been barred from several establishments by now, otherwise.

We did some shopping after that. We called it quits when the kids started to wilt and had some playtime back in the room, which eventually brings us full-circle to bedtime. All’s quiet on our front, now, and it sounds like the neighbor’s kid has called it quits, too. Time for me as well.
Tomorrow, Molly and I will take Max to another photographer for his VISA picture. It’s got to be done one way or another. Screaming or not, we have to have a picture tomorrow. After that, we need to finish his medical screening and that will be the extent of the official itinerary tomorrow. Michelle will entertain Kira back at base camp. It’s a good plan because there’s a better chance that one of us will have some nerves left by lunch time. Tomorrow night, Molly is taking another family and us to a buffet cruise on the Pearl river in Guangzhou. There is a beautiful light show along the shore incorporating the large buildings. There is an element of danger because last time, 3 people were accidentally eaten when the local folks on the cruise mobbed the buffet. Molly said that she has avoided weekend cruises since then.

Anyway, three of us pray for everyone back home each night that you’re healthy and happy. Max is usually just screaming by that time.

I'll have some pictures for tomorrow.

Kim, Michelle, Kira & “Screamin’ Max”