Now Mary Romer is another case... partly due to myself. There is a wonderful woman named Ann from RedThreadChina.com who had previously shopped and sent packages to Julia for us. We have corresponded frequently and I noticed on her website that she will hire out as a personal shopper/tourist assistant for a mere $10 hour and does not receive kickbacks from merchants (which apparently is a pretty common occurrence). I wanted to go out with her but without our Internet connectivity was afraid we may not meet up and another friend, Dianne, had gone out with her the day prior and was planning on a second adventure today at 10. She had glowing comments about Ann and her thoroughness and ability to bargain and customizing her excursion to only specifically what you want. I asked Mary Romer to go with Dianne and Ann today so that Marty and I could wait by the phone, and then we would go out again with Ann tomorrow if she would establish her availability. Mary Romer (who is NOT the shopper) agreed and we were grateful.

We head downstairs for breakfast and are really zombied and then I realize we are almost alone. I ask Marty the time and it is just after 10! Marty runs ahead while I scoop up the girls and head back upstairs, relieved that there is not a blinking message light on the phone. Alright!!

So we begin the waiting game - not sure if we're to get a call either way (the paperwork was accepted or if there are additional documents needed). But, it was soon 11:05 and we decide to head out. Mary is anxious as always to visit the Swan Room and we are wanting to try to find a computer to blog our last day in Taiyuan. It once again is uncomfortably warm but we are determined and just meander a bit as well as stop and play on the playground.

Marty, ever the social butterfly, freely asks people what different equipment is for as the playground is a combination of children's play equipment as well as various exercise contraptions. We pass more brides, are able to get on the computer, and just pass our time hanging out and exploring.

As we start to head back to the hotel we walk through the park that is next to Lucy's and notice a group of Chinese playing that variation of hacky-sack with the shuttlecock-type thing we had purchased. Marty immediately tags up with someone and they start batting it back and forth.

Mary kept wanting to join and I could see her getting kicked by accident so we backed up a bit. Did I mention it was hot? We watched for 10-15 minutes, then told Marty we would meet him back at the hotel. We were napping actually when he returned an hour later - totally soaked through his clothes but very happy at being able to play with someone and get some good physical activity (plus the guy simply likes to sweat). Ugh! He immediately switches to swim trunks and heads back out and I stay semi-comatose with the napping siblings.

He returns later and we are in the waking stages. What I haven't realized is that Mary Romer is back (he invited her to swim but she declined) and she is a HUGE fan of Ann now as well and so very excited about returning for our excursion tomorrow. She has such tales of Ann's inspection of pieces, talking with the wholesalers, and her quick pace (she is TINY) and drive to get you the best you can possibly have for the money, as well as not dawdling around when you are paying her an hourly rate.

Mary and Dianne both smile with a special twinkle when they relay their experience and I am looking forward to tomorrow.

The girls and I are up and we run into Mary Romer. She is still telling us of shopping - but more importantly the art of massage. Kelly had asked who may be interested in a massage - $6 for 70 MINUTES. Mary got her call upon her return from shopping and she is just enthralled. She spoke of how each finger and hand was addressed and feet soaking in hot (tea?). Not sure but she was highly complimentary to the extent that I'm looking at Marty with eyebrows raised. He's thinking I may want one but I'm thinking HE may... he played hard at the park. This is one open-minded man! So Mary scurries off to take him to the masseuse and we get ready to head to the Cow and Bridge for dinner (Thai). Marty will be running short on time by the time he's through but we assure him we will save him a spot and it's really near where he'll be.

So, we head to the Cow and Bridge and get assembled with our group at various tables. I have just about decided what to order when Marty does appear right on time and we actually end up getting exactly what I was thinking may be good (prawns and iron beef). I'm really anxious to hear of his experience but he is not forthcoming with much - uh oh... not a good sign. Here's what I finally got from him pretty much in a nutshell (laughing)...

"I didn't know what to expect but they brought me some tea and some cookies or something and had me soak my feet in hot tea or some kind of hot liquid. She told me to close my eyes, this little waif-like Chinese girl, and... oh man, just started... let's just say it felt like she rubbed me the wrong way. I have never had a massage before and wasn't sure if this was to be expected, but it wasn't something that I would offer to do again. They bring you to the brink of agony and I felt it was a form of subtle torture - and that the reason you feel good afterward is because it is over."

I'm laughing as I type this.

So, we eat a really nice meal and head back to the hotel. Mary Romer and I head to Jennifer's again (long story that I won't detail here - but suffice it to say it was a while) and Marty once again finds himself pushing Julia when she is reaching her limitations for being in the stroller. And that after his massage.

We head for the hotel then decide another ice cream cone would top this off nicely. Once again Mary Romer gets on the phone with Craig and Julia about devours her neglected cone. That girl will be over 20 lbs by the time we see Dr. Mielke on the 20th!!

Tomorrow is our consulate appointment at 3:00 and we are looking at our last required day in Guangzhou. I'm wishing I had tried to get a flight out for the 11th - but if there were a delay in receiving Julia's visa we'd be up a creek. Oh well, I'd rather play it safe. It will be Mary Romer's last day with us as she will leave early the next morning.

Our journey is quickly winding down. I'm so ready to be home. I will miss China (especially the province) and the families we have bonded with - but Mary has asked us repeatedly when we can be in Wisconsin again. It's time to be heading home.