China Trip Days 13 and 14

Sorry I didn’t get around to posting yesterday.  This post will cover the second and third of December–our last few days in China!

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It was rather rainy for a day at the zoo, but we stayed pretty dry in this little vehicle they drove us around in.  Our driver even stopped by all the cages so we could get pictures!

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The elephant came out of his house just in time for us to see him.

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You can buy leaves and feed the giraffes.

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Mom was right up there, feeding this guy, but Lucy and I were a little unsure.

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Okay, I’ll try it. . .

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Lucy wasn’t convinced and gave me her leaves.  Did you all know that giraffes are kind-of big?  And kind-of scary when you have your hands up close to their mouth?

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Well, at least now I can say I’ve fed a giraffe!

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Unfortunately the pandas weren’t feeling social, and wouldn’t come out of their house.  So our pictures aren’t very good.

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The only other time I’ve seen a panda was at a zoo in Virginia, when I was seven.  If you had told me that day that the next time I saw a panda I would be in China, on an international adoption trip, not the youngest but a big sister times two–I don’t think I would have believed you!

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This was also the day of our consulate appointment (the American side of the adoption).  We couldn’t bring any cameras in, but our guide told everyone in our travel group to bring their cell phone to take a picture of the sign outside, and she would hold all the phones during the appointment.

The next day (the day before we started the long trek home), the breakfast buffet was so crowded that they took us less-than-early risers up to the revolving restaurant on the top floor!  Did I mention our hotel was fancy?

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The view.  I can’t even begin.

Did I mention that I love China?

China Trip Day 12

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Skyping with Becca and Spencer.  Yes, they are playing the piano.  Lucy loves music, and she was very excited to see she would have a piano at home! 🙂

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And our visit to Shamian Island!  It is such a neat place!

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There were mini Terracotta Warriors everywhere!

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Lots of photo shoots–mostly in wedding dresses.

I could not get over this girl’s hair:

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And some photo shoots of this.  I don’t know.

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And I don’t remember how exactly I got this.  I just remember Dad saying “Take a picture of her shoes,” and trying to.  It turned out surprisingly good.  They’re pretty shoes–though I would twist an ankle in them, most likely! 🙂

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Not sure where this guy was headed.  He didn’t appear to have an owner.

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Blondies get lots of stares in China–and an occasional request for a picture together!

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P.S. Did I mention that they celebrate Christmas in China?

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Happy December!