Shamian Island

Today our guide took us and another family from our agency to Shamian Island, which is supposed to be like the New Orleans of China, but reminds me more of Savannah, Georgia. While the other family did some shopping, we went to the island's Catholic Church for Mass (in English this time). While waiting in front of the church before hand we met a really nice American family that is living in Guangzhou so that both the husband and wife can work at the U.S. consulate. We sat behind them in church, and then afterwards they asked us to join them for dinner the following night! They have two teenaged daughters, and two younger boys in the home, as well as an Ayi (or nanny), who will be cooking for us tomorrow evening.

After church we met up with the rest of our group, and our guide took us to a very good Cantonese restaurant. I will have to say that although I have had quite a bit of Chinese food of late, this dim sum was quite good! Afterwards the guide and family left with our driver, and we decided to stay on and do a bit of touring around the island. We bought the kiddos each a traditional Chinese outfit, and let the kids play briefly in the local playground.

Shamian Island was really neat, but it is getting harder for me to enjoy the special outings one hundred percent, as I am way beyond ready to go home! I am so looking forward to being home with my new sweeties, and for them to get to know the other half of our family! They continue to be great individually, and not so great together! Annie is learning to hold her own, and hopefully Wyatt will soon get the picture and stop whacking his sister. He was really surprised when she hit him back this morning, and he started crying and came to me for comfort! It's funny that he really is a snuggle bug when he's not being a bully!