Today was a big full day. We went to the Hillside Park and walked around and saw some really pretty countryside. We walked down a long covered corridor that was made entirely out of bamboo. It was 551 meters long (about 5 football fields). As we walked through the park, the Chinese ladies and men would come up to us with the babies. We'd show them our tags that say we are from America here to adopt a baby and we'd always love them and teach them about their beautiful China. When they would read this, they'd give us a big thumbs up and clap and smile so big. It makes you feel so good.
Then we went to the only Buddhist Temple in Nanning. It is in a different part of this same park. We burned incense and if you chose, you could have the monks bless the baby. We had them bless Lily. It was really neat. We of course could not understand a word of it, but Lily smiled all through it. The monks loved the babies, they'd come up and want to hold them and play with them.
Next we went to a nine story Pagoda. It was built 500 years ago and is nine stories high, back then they believed that the number nine was good luck. Brian went to the top and took some pictures. I made it to the sixth floor carrying Lily. The Pagoda is on top of a large hill and you could see the countryside, the city and the river running through. It is really pretty.
We then went and ate food and had entertainment at the Han Restaurant. Lily actually ate congee (rice porriage) for the first time for us. The entertainment was great, but loud and scared her a bit. Plus she was getting tired. So was her momma, I carried her all over in the hip hammock all morning. My legs and back are going to be so strong after this trip.
This evening, we took a cab ride to and from Walmart with some other families. That is an experience. I suggest experiencing this for those that come to China. Brian says it is not an experience for the faint of heart. I'll just say, even though we were weaving in and out of traffic, I felt more safe without a seatbelt and a baby on my lap then I do everyday driving in Phoenix. It is amazing that there are not accidents. When we pulled out on to the busy street from the hotel, so did 2 other cars side by side at the same time, going into the same lane. If the Phoenix people drove like this, there would be so many accidents. Amazing.
Lily's personality is coming out more and more. She is definately a morning person. She wakes up so happy. She love to play with baba (daddy). She is so cute when she smiles. She has big teeth and dimples. She is eating more and is figuring out the spoon and even drinks out of a big person cup for water or juice. She is a lot of fun. You can set her on the floor and she'll just sit and play with her toys, so contently. The funniest thing is she likes to tear paper apart, she will work on it intently until she is finished with the last of it. Starting with a big piece and tearing it into smaller and smaller pieces. She loves her mama when she is tired. She likes to be bounced until she falls asleep on my chest. We have been putting her in her crib instead of going along with her paperwork (it said she slept with her foster parents). She has done beautifully with this. I like this, because that means I get better sleep.
We have one more full day here in Nanning. Tomorrow, we visit a museum to learn about her regional culture. In the afternoon, we get her Chinese Visa. Saturday, we fly to Guangzhou and do the last leg of the trip!
