One more wake-up...

...and then we're off on our journey back home. We leave Guangzhou at 8am Wednesday and arrive in SeaTac airport ~ 12pm that same day. We are so looking forward to getting back home; to some semblance of normal. Time has gone by pretty fast for the most part because we've been kept pretty busy. Between official appointments, sightseeing, and getting to know our son better, the time has passed fairly fast. Tomorrow we have our final consulate appointment.

There are so many sights, sounds, and smells of China that will be forever embedded in my memory. Yesterday we walked to the jade and pearl market here in Guangzhou. To get there we had to pass through several open-air markets. The markets seemed to vary in theme. There was the herb/spice market. You could find just about any spice to fulfill your culinary need. The air smelled very heavily of curry here. Then there was the medicinal market. Here you could find anything to solve what ails you- scorpions, deer nerves, claws/horns, beetles, etc. It was pretty amazing. And the final market was the pet market. It was full of puppies, kittens, rabbits, birds, and fish. I felt sorry for all the animals with fur because it was such an exceptionally hot day. There are so many tiny shops throughout the city; it's amazing that anyone can make any kind of a living to support a family. Between the people, the heat, and the walk, we were all exhausted by the end of the day.

I went for a short run around the island today. It's nice in the morning- quiet, a little cooler, and very little, if any, traffic. It was amazing to see so many locals (young and old) out exercising. Some people were out jogging, some out walking, and some playing badminton. There were also those doing their morning stretching and Tai Chi. There is a little park here with a variety of play/climbing structures. I thought they were only for the kids to play on, but the park was full of adults of all ages doing exercises on the equipment.

Tonight, we went out for a sort of farewell dinner with the other three families adopting through WACAP. In some ways, it's hard to believe this time in China is almost over. I think we're all ready. I know Xian Hua is excited to get to the United States. Although, I'm not sure which he's more excited about- getting the the US or the flying part. Either way, I'm glad he's looking forward to it.