Monday, July 9th - Shopping on Shamian Island

Today, we had high hopes for shopping.  We were going shopping "on the island" where the White Swan Hotel was located - the hotel most famous for adopting families.  Over the past few years, businesses have shut down and moved off the island.  The White Swan closed last year for renovation.  When it reopens, it will focus on business travel, not adoption travel.  The facility for medical exams closed and moved to the building we visited on Saturday.  The American consultate on the island will close next year but its current operations no longer deal with immigration.  In short, the era of Shamian Island for adopting families has come to an end.  We go there to go shopping now.

 Brett keeping Elise happy while we wait for the driver

Derek holding Elise in the lobby.

 Brett holding Elise in the van on the way to shopping.  Wonder how she'll like car seats when we get home.

 Shamian Island has some beautiful gardens.  While we were there, many bride/grooms were having their photos taken.  As we learned, they have their photos taken before the wedding for their wedding album.  It was about 100 degrees with the heat index so I can only imagine how hot it was in those clothes!

 Another example of someone sleeping while "working."  We saw lots of this in Beijing:  sleeping workers.


 The shopping was not as we hoped.  We were successful in getting Elise some dresses and sqeaky boots...but not much else.  Was more geared for trinket type of shopping...we were hoping for a more artisan feel.  When we were done shopping, we had SUBWAY!!!!  Not exactly like home...but good enough. 

 While we were waiting for the driver, we took some shots in the park.  Regan and Brett are next to some bronze statues along with their new friend, Stella.

 Gina's mother, Jane, enjoyed holding Elise.  Unfortunately her new granddaughter, Stella, won't allow her to hold her yet.  She was getting her baby fix...and Elise seemed quite happy. 

We headed back to the hotel for the rest of the day...typical routine...go to outside pool.  Go to work out.  Go to McDonald's (next door to hotel) for some body blocking so we can get our ice cream cone snack.  (In China, it seems people do not wait in line.  They will walk up and cut right in front of you.  So we practice our body blocking techniques so we do not stand in line all day so we can get our order placed.)  We did order Papa John's Pizza....and then lights out. 

Not too eventful today.  Looking forward to coming home.  Tuesday is our free day. Wednesday is Consulate appoitment.  Thursday we transfer to Hong Kong.  Friday we fly home.  We are almost there!!!!