January 12, 2006
Almost at the finish line! Tomorrow we go to the American Consulate to obtain Danielle's visa and to take an oath never to abandon or mistreat her. Then we fly to Hong Kong Saturday and HOME Sunday.
Free day today. Had a chance to develop some sort of routine here and do a little shopping. Lots of bargains but the hard sell from various merchants is getting old, particularly since I ran out of yuan late this afternoon (Later got more at the ATM). I think Shaimian Island is to Chinese culture something like what Cancun is to Mexico's--or what Graceland is to ours.
Has been fascinating and life-altering and amazing and poignant and moving and ... it's time to go home. We miss Janae and Natalie and being home and having space and seeing friends and family and being able to drink the water.
It has now been a week and Danielle is still a little leery of this "Dad" person. We're trying to be patient. She is ridiculously cute even when throwing a tantrum to go back to Mom. I held her for awhile this afternoon while Sharon was shopping for a suitcase. Danielle screamed at the top of her lungs the whole time Sharon was in the shop. To make matters worse, in China staring is not considered as rude as it is in the states. So all my fruitless efforts at comforting my daughter gained me a bit of an audience. Fortunately, Sharon has had massages the last two days, so her back is feeling well enough to haul our 24 1/2 pound sweet potato around almost everywhere.
By the way, the woman giving the massage actually walks on Sharon's back.
Didn't take any pictures today, but will try to put one or two old ones on today's blog.
Free day today. Had a chance to develop some sort of routine here and do a little shopping. Lots of bargains but the hard sell from various merchants is getting old, particularly since I ran out of yuan late this afternoon (Later got more at the ATM). I think Shaimian Island is to Chinese culture something like what Cancun is to Mexico's--or what Graceland is to ours.
Has been fascinating and life-altering and amazing and poignant and moving and ... it's time to go home. We miss Janae and Natalie and being home and having space and seeing friends and family and being able to drink the water.
It has now been a week and Danielle is still a little leery of this "Dad" person. We're trying to be patient. She is ridiculously cute even when throwing a tantrum to go back to Mom. I held her for awhile this afternoon while Sharon was shopping for a suitcase. Danielle screamed at the top of her lungs the whole time Sharon was in the shop. To make matters worse, in China staring is not considered as rude as it is in the states. So all my fruitless efforts at comforting my daughter gained me a bit of an audience. Fortunately, Sharon has had massages the last two days, so her back is feeling well enough to haul our 24 1/2 pound sweet potato around almost everywhere.
By the way, the woman giving the massage actually walks on Sharon's back.
Didn't take any pictures today, but will try to put one or two old ones on today's blog.
posted by Sharon | 6:04 AM
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