Day 13- Traveling and Friends

On Wednesday we said goodbye to Guangzhou and headed to Kunming to see some dear friends. They picked us up from the airport and we headed to lunch. They took us to a Japanese style restaurant where they have the hibache (sp?) grill. We ordered way more than we could eat and it cost us all of 80 yuan. That is equal to about $12. It was yummy!! We were so excited to get to come here on our way home.

 

1st pic- That is our zuchinni frying. It was yummy. The best dish we got were the fried potatoes.

 

2nd pic- Chris playing with Deacon.

Day 12- US Consulate Visit

After our shopping spree I had to head back to the hotel so we could go to the US Consulate. We loaded a bus and took a 45 minute ride into town. This could have been much faster, but the traffic here is awful! I do not have pictures of the Consulate b/c they would not let us take cameras or anything electronic in. We went into this big building, where they herded us all into this big room. We had to go up to a window and show our passports and our child to make sure we were who we said we were. After everyone had done that we all stood and took an oath that said we would love and take care of our child. We also picked up Deacon's visa at this point. He is officially allowed to go to the USA!! Once we hit American soil in Chicago, he will become a US Citizen automatically! 

One crazy thing was there was a girl there with her family adopting their second child. She went to OBU with Todd. SMALL WORLD!!

Once we got home from the Consulate we headed to dinner.

Here is a picture of Daddy feeding Deacon with the chopsticks. We opted for Thai food tonight. It was just okay and a little pricey. The best restaurant here is the Italian one. It is run by an Italian, and the food is wonderful! 

2nd picture- This is a picture off the back of our hotel overlooking the river. It was so pretty tonight. It wasn't hot at all, and there was a cool breeze. 

We leave out of here tomorrow morning at 9am. We are headed to see some friends, and then we head back to the states on Friday. We will be home Friday night around 10:30. I'm am not looking forward to the long flight, or the jet lag, but this too shall pass. :) I don't know if we will have internet at our next destination. If not then I will post the rest of our trip when we get home. I'm sure I will be up at all hours of the night for the first few nights. Thanks for following along with us. It has been great to hear from you guys back home. We can't wait to get home and introduce our new little guy to everyone! See you soon!

Day 12- The good stuff.

Once we got through all the dried stuff we headed for the good stuff. The pearl and jade market. If there was 1 pearl or jade vendor, there were 100+ everywhere. We had a lady helping us, and she works with certain people to get us the best price. Of course everyone here tells you they are giving you the best price, and that everything is very good quailty. :) We spent most of our time at the pearl market. You picked out the pearls you wanted, and then they made what you wanted. You had to buy them by the strands. It was a lot of fun. I will have to post a picture of the necklace I got for a FABULOUS price!! 

After that we hit the jade market and a few other shops. There was a turquoise store that I would have loved to go into, but they told me it was all fake. Let's hope the pearls are real. They have promised me they are. 

1st picture- pearl market

2nd picture- My friend Erin deciding on another pair of earrings. :) I just met here on this trip. She is so much fun! We have had a great time getting to know them, and hanging out with them. She adopted a little 5 year old boy named Hudson. He is catching on to english very quickly. Last night he told her "I love you", and "You're so crazy!" of which she is. ha ha!! 

Day 12- Dried Market Cont.

1st picture- Dried fungus.

2nd picture- How about a dried iguana on a stick for your munching enjoyment? :) YUM!

Day 12- Dried Market

1st picture- These are dried sea horses and other ocean life. They put these dried things in soups. They all have different purposes of what they are supposed to do for you.

2nd picture- dried fish stomach. I do not know the purpose or the flavor. ha!

Day 12- Market Shopping

After the pictures I met up with my friend Erin and her crew to go to the markets across the canal. We saw some interesting sites on the way. Hope you enjoy!!

1st picture- Ummmm Not real sure. :) Some things for you to buy. Yes that is a monkey skeleton. Why? I do not know.

2nd picture- a picture of the dried market. There were all kinds of dried things. Hang in there and I will show you. You will not be disappointed. ha! :)

Day 12- Group Pics

1st pic- one more family picture in front of the waterfall that is in the lobby.

2nd pic- This is of our whole Dillon group. The family on the left is the Lentz's. Joy's parents also traveled with them. They have had a great time. Next to them are the Drake's, and then us. We have enjoyed traveling with these families.