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24-25 February 2009
Today's Adventure:
MUSEUM, SHOPPING, NIGHT CRUISEWe met at 9am, to go to the Shanghai Museum, as it was raining (again). The Museum was very impressive, but frankly...with an overtired, hungry baby...it wasn't particularly fun! We whipped through the 4 floors, in an hour, and settled at the Tea House for a pot of tea, and to give Tari her lunch. (Note: before ordering tea...check price. AUS$9 seemed excessive to me?!!!) Another family in our batch, who also whipped through the museum quickly, said they found an underground market! DOH!!! I missed a great opportunity, because I was drinking million dollar tea!!!
The men took the babies back to the Hotel, and the women were dropped off at Nanjing Road for shopping. I must say, I was a little disappointed. I thought it was very expensive.. and mostly stuff I can buy at home--so why would I buy it here, pay for excess luggage, when I can buy it at home?!!! So I walked in the freezing wind and rain for 2 hours...and bought nothing. I think I've lost my "shopping mojo?" Maybe its because I know we all have full closets at home?!
Tari managed to have a very short sleep while I was shopping. I took Tari for a walk, to get our laundry (AUS$60!!!! Holy moly, Shanghai is expensive!-- although the hotel wants AUS$10 to wash ONE shirt!) Tari fell asleep, while we were out, which is ok, as we're off on a Night Cruise on the Huang Pu River. (I joked with a batch mate that its "hung poo" not "snap shut poo"... sorry...couldn't help myself!) It was a bit rainy and very cold, but was still a great experience. Tari seems to love the cold air. We had her wrapped pretty good...I wasn't up for scoldings from old ladies tonight!!!
We hadn't had tea, so Todd went to get some noodles, and I put Tari to bed. She stood in her cot, watching our every move as we ate our dinner (she had hers before we went on the cruise). I caved in and gave her some noodles! She is so funny when she eats noodles! She sucks them in!!!
Here are the pics from today:
Sorry, but the snacks interested me more than the museum exhibits.
Kiss
River Cruise
Hanging with Daddy on Deck
Snug as a Bug
TV TOWER & UNDERGROUND SHOPPING!
We got to sleep in, and have a slow quiet morning, as we weren't meeting our guide til noon. Tari slept til just after 8!!! By the time we got down to breakfast it was 9am! Todd went and got some el'cheapo DVDs while I stayed in our room, so Tari could have a good sleep. (I got to catch up on my fav. blogs!!! Thinking of you Jen & PIPO!)
We went to the TV tower at noon...was still raining, and very overcast, but we went anyway. Holy moly!! That tower is HIGH!!! The observation deck is on the 268th floor!!!! I swear that tower was moving, and I really didn't feel all that well, looking down (through the clouds) at the teeny tiny cars!!! There is a museum in the tower, that was kind of like "the history of China--wax museum!" Very well done. There was some great cheap shopping there too...but our guide didn't give us much time to do anything, other than take a few quick photos on the ob. deck, then quickly look at the (massive) museum. The girls got dropped off at the Shanghai Museum, so we could check out the underground shopping--one family (and Todd!) decided to go on the Maglink? (a super fast train). It goes from dowtown Shanghai to the airport in 8 minutes! The top speed was 430kms per hour!!!!Todd took a video, but I'm not sure where he's downloaded it! I don't think you'd want to take this train to look at scenery--it whizzes by that quick; it makes you feel sick!!! Well, "underground" shopping must be my thing...coz I felt a little of my mojo return! I scored some great stuff. I didn't pay more than 30Yuan for anything! (thats about AUS$8--except for a gorgeous red paper cut picture--will get photo when I get home, its all wrapped for travelling! I paid 55Yuan for that, which is only about AUS$12) Excellent! I had Tari with me...which meant I usually had a little crowd of about 20 people following me, or gathered around me! I did try and explain (about 6 times!), via a little translation book, that I'd come from Australia to adopt this beautiful child...but I still don't think they got it!!! In the end, and lady pointed to Tari, then me, then made a "pregnant" gesture. I said "yes"!!!! There was lots of chatting, then someone asked "Is Baba chinese" - I said Yes!!!! Well, I'm not lying... I'm sure her biologic father IS Chinese!!! WELL! That made for a lot more chatting!!! They put their hand halfway across Tari's face (gesturing that from the nose down, she looked like me!!!!) Yeah...I'm a bit of a rebel and like to shake things up a bit!!! OK, so I wasn't pregnant with Tari, but she IS my daughter...and they just didn't seem to get the whole "adoption" idea!!!!
We met the rest of our batch for our "farewell dinner," as we will head off at about 430pm, tomorrow. We went to a few different restaurants, trying to find one that could seat us all, and one that had vegetarian stuff on the menu! We eventually went back to the "super cheap" restaurant that we visited about 3 nights ago. I was devasted to learn, just after arriving, that one of the families had had their wallet stolen out of their backpack, somewhere along the way, so they left to retrace their steps, and head back to the hotel to cancel their cards etc. It's just so annoying (which is putting it very mildly). This poor family has just one day left in China...leaves a very bad taste in your mouth, after such a good trip.
If you are heading over to China, can I PLEASE stress...DON'T bring a wallet/purse. Use a small "across the body" strap bag, and only keep a few notes in it. Leave all your cards etc in your safe in your room, unless you really need to use them. Its so stressful, if you do lose or have your wallet stolen.
Well...this is it. Our final night in China. It's hard to believe that almost 3 weeks have passed...but it also feels like we've been away forever!!! Tari is simply amazing. Her resiliance, personality, joy, smile, milestones, sleeping, eating and acceptance have absolutely blown us away. I can honestly say, I NEVER thought, we would be so blessed to have a child that has fallen into our family so easily. It's astounding.
I probably won't get a chance to post tomorrow, so I'll say a HUGE THANK YOU, now, to all our friends and family, who've prayed with us for four years, for our baby girl. God has most certainly heard every prayer, and answered them. We've had a dream trip. None of us have gotten sick. We've travelled well. We've had a good run with money. Our hotels and guides have been amazing. And of course, Tari Mei...I can't even find the words to express all that is in my heart...but I'll try. My sweet baby girl - you are an absolute answer to prayer. May you always be you. May God walk with you, every day of your life. May you find the uncomprehendible joy, that we have found in you. May you love life. And know true love. We love you, Tari Mei.
To Mikayla and Harrison (and Grandma and Grandpa)...we fly out tomorrow, and we'll see you at 1415pm on Friday! We can't wait to see you, and to introduce you to your baby sister! (and Granddaughter!) She is so much like you guys...she is truly a blessing direct from Heaven. So you better make sure, your toys are picked up. Harrison, put your Lego away! Mikayla, make sure you're "precious" things are up high!!! Coz a little whirlwind is about to land in our house!!! (Grandma and Grandpa...don't forget to put the baby seat in the car!!!)
WE LOVE YOU GUYS! See you very soon!
Dreams DO Come True!
LeeAnne's Favorite Photo
Todd's Favorite Photo
TV Tower
Foggy View
In Observation Deck on 268th Floor
From TV Tower, Shanghai to Guangzhou
Enjoying a Snack Again
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