Safe in Guiyang

Today started very early with a severe thunder and lightning storm about 3a.m It woke all of us up and we eventually got up about 5:15. We took the flight from Beijing to Guiyang. This is the capital city of Guizhou. All adoptions must be done here in the Capital city.

When we checked into the Hotel here's what we found waiting in our room. Plus one of those little bitty infant tubs in the bathroom. It is funny to imagine him in that little tub. Maybe he and Zane can play boats in the little tub.

We spent some time this afternoon walking around on the streets. It's so interesting to see all the local people going about their daily routines.

There is such a harsh contrast from the old to the new. the first picture is the apartment building right next to our hotel.

The second picture is just a few blocks away. We went there to eat at Pizza Hut!!! mmmm it was good!

We also took a trip to our local Wal-Mart. It was HUGE and very BUSY! There were 51 check out lanes and a cashier in each of them.

Anyone hungry for spicy pickled Chicken feet?

No? OK how about CANDY?

Zane impressed a lot of people by showing off his Rip-stick skills inside Wal-Mart. He attracted a little audience. Everyone stares at us anyway, so might as well give them something to stare at.

I can tell you from everything we have seen they are ready for the Olympics. There are these little characters everywhere you look. They are called The Friendlies. The five of them are the 5 colors of the Olympic rings. Each one of them have a name and when you say the names all together in Chinese they say Beijing Welcomes You for a Good Time. They are all doing different sporting events. Many of the kids are wearing Olympic T-shirts and there are Olympic flags flying everywhere. In several of the more affluent places we have seen these red clocks that are counting down the time for the start of the Olympics.