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Saturday the 1st. We took Adriana to her medical checkup. There were three sessions at the medical complex. At the first one they checked her weight, head size, height, and temperature. At the second one they checked her motor skills. And the third one they did a very quick physical. It went really smooth. Then we walked around in the shops by the hotel and a few blocks away. There were at least 200-250 down the street. It's kind of intimidating because of the amount of people and the stares but we made it. We made it to the rooftop pool. Adriana loved it in the pool.

Sunday the 2nd. We went back to the shops around the hotel and the ones a few blocks away for some more souvenirs. Brandi got a massage.

Monday the 3rd. We went to the Guangzhou Zoo for a couple of hours. It was not as good as we thought. Really kind of disturbing on how malnutritioned the animals were. Then we all four took a nap and then ate at the hotel. Had to walk over a huge rat in the road and around all the piss the shop keepers were throwing out into the road.

Tuesday the 4th. We walked around the pearl and jade marketplace and down what we call “Rooster Road” for some souvenir shopping. There must be at least 10,000 stores down the road and in the many many malls.

Wednesday the 5th. We have our last adoption appointment (the visa ceremony). Then more packing.

Thursday the 6th. We will leave back to Hong Kong by bullet train.

Friday the 7th. We finally leave for home. We are more than ready. It is a very different world that we are definitely not used to. Words can't describe what we've seen. It would have to be experienced to understand it. Just today when a group formed around us an older Chinese lady got mad and was yelling at one of the other adoptive mother that is with us because her baby had socks on. We kept together and kept our wits and moved along as quickly as we could. It's been that way a lot. Overall all three families feel like it's been much more of a depressing trip after seeing how things are over here and witnessing the way that over a billion people live. One is very very fortunate to be born in the states and have the opportunities that we have. We were thinking about brining Adriana back here to visit when she turns 16, but we'll have to see how things are at the time. It's not a vacation, it really is an eye opener.

We are scheduled to land in Peoria on Friday the 7th @ 5:36 PM Peoria time (flight number 5939). All are welcome at the airport. The more the better. However with bonding issues, we cannot pass Adriana around. So as long as we hold her everyone can visit her. But the bonding and trust (mostly with Adriana with Missy) is still an issue. But it will work itself out in time. We can't get around a bunch a stranger (to her) and pass her around. We are told not to let other people than us four hold her for a little while. Hope everyone understands but that is the way it has to be for Adriana. Thanks and we will see everyone back at home in a few more days.