Last Day and Night in China

Today was our last full day in China. It was a pretty full day and it started with a little shopping. We finished up some last minute haggling, and I had to exchange a watch I bought for Kristi--it wasn't working.

At 12:40 we met in the lobby for our trip to the U.S. Consulate for the swearing in ceremony. There was a lot of waiting, a short speech by a guest, the current Ambassador to China. It was pretty moving, as he fostered a child waiting for adoption to the U.S., he was instrumental in getting Chinese adoptions to the U.S. started back in the mid-90s and he has family that adopted from China as well. He administered our oath and it became official. We got Amelia Belle's Chinese passport with U.S. Visa and we will get her citizenship papers about a month after we return. We will still need to get her a U.S. passport, a Social Security card and a U.S. birth certificate when we return, but she is ours.

When we returned to Shamian Island, I met Keith and Harris again to walk around. We headed in a different direction and saw blocks and blocks of shops selling cell phone and video game parts and accessories and providing service. I have no idea why they are located within close proximity, but there has to be a reason. It was amazing.

We met everyone back at the hotel at 5:30 for dinner and went next door for Thai food. It was good as usual. I had heard that duck and pigeon dishes are very famous here, so I tried a spicy Thai pigeon dish. It tasted kind of wild, sort of like dove. It wasn't bad, but there wasn't much to it, either. Thatcher and Amelia Belle had rice, chicken wings and french fries.

After dinner, back to the room, and to bed. We are home tomorrow...and it can't be soon enough. Keep us in your prayers, thank you all again for your prayers, encouragement and support. This has been the most amazing experience. See you all soon.

--Gene