Julia wakes and seems pleased to see us here. She still prefers me over Marty but still teases/plays with Mary Romer much more than either of us. With her shoes and socks off she wanders happily between our rooms and we may actually find her in the "party room" without realizing. But if I leave HER - it is another matter totally.

Rui arrives and brings some bubbles for Mary to play with and the Marys go outside with her and have some good photo opportunities.

Rui also comes up to our computer and removes all the cookies and sign-on information so that we feel better protected after having used a shared computer. She is priceless.

Rui and Marty go over all the visa information once more and we have a packet ready to hand over to Kelly. We walk to the laundry for one last pick-up and I believe the locals are getting used to our little traveling band traipsing back and forth.

Marty is packing and we are frustrated. We thought that when we were unburdened of all the ginseng (bulky) and lotions/gels (heavy) that we would have lighter, less bulky luggage... not so! The addition of Miss Julia and the generosity of her foster home as well as the addition of formula, cereal, various treats, etc., has brought us seemingly past capacity. We remain tired and a mite cranky.

But Miss Julia is offering her first smiles and that revives us. The weather is so pleasant (although still polluted) with a breeze blowing and our windows are often opened in the hotel (and actually closed at times for the coolness).

And finally it is time to head to the airport. The traffic is horrific and we are happy we are early. Rui rushes to get our luggage checked ahead of an expected group of over 30 and we are successful. We say our goodbyes and are determined not to cry. I am nostalgic for what we are leaving but oh so anxious for what is ahead. We are headed for the third phase of our China journey. I get to be reunited with our Bejing friends (plus one family that toured Hong Kong instead) and meet all the new daughters.

While waiting we see all sorts of nice, neat people. And suddenly we are noticed by what we considered the Chinese version of the Red Hat Society. They notice both Mary and especially Julia. And one by one they make contact... beautiful, lovely and smiling older women just wanting to extend their blessings - and candy and biscuits for the girls. One woman pointedly asks through gestures about Mary and then Julia. I respond that Mary is jei jei (older sister) and Julia is mei mei (younger sister). She shakes her head in disbelief and gestures to their differences, especially the hair. We look to either other for better explanation...

... And I remember our friends, the Leonards. They have provided us a lovely packet of words and phrases to use along with an explanation of why we are in China. I unzip it from my fanny pack and Marty accepts it and begins passing it around the group. They read with interest and nod their understanding and acceptance. Many smiles and nods and just joy in the journey here.

And when it is time to board we know we are on the third row and that we don't have to rush and push like we have found so common in this culture (woman and babies are not deferred to here). And as we wait for the crowd to complete pushing past, it is one of these delightful women who indicate that we are to go ahead of them. Granted, they tried to pull both Mary and asked for Julia (she's in the carrier) into seats with them, but they were obviously just being kind and friendly. We make our way to our seats.

Now Marty, Mary and I have seats on one side, and Mary Romer is just across the aisle from me. We are underway very quickly and I am grateful as it is late (Julia has been changed to her pajamas in the airport) and we are ready to be settled back in a hotel room.

It doesn't take long to realize that this is going to be a long flight although it is a mere 2 hours and 40 minutes. My knees are jammed in the seat in front of me and Julia is distressed at times and sleeps at others. And Mary? She's sitting next to the window singing of kitties - happy and content and composing as she goes.

But Mary Romer is in less favorable conditions. Her seat mate is, um... obviously inebriated and draped partway on her seat and passes out. During the flight he does wake up long enough to spill a drink which his companion in the window seat tries to rectify. I unzip the fanny pack once again and begin handing out wet wipes. I looked at another point and Mary is struggling with her legs up against the back of the seat in front, obviously trying to stretch her back. But we land and are just tickled pink to be in Guangzhou. We gather our luggage and are met immediately by Kelly, our guide while we are in Guangzhou. She is soft-spoken and informative and leads us outside where she phones our driver.

It is HOT and MUGGY. I am reminded of Los Angeles airport at night the week before and try to shrug off the feeling. But I have an angel in my arms now.

The van arrives and we climb in back and the luggage is loaded in the front seats. We head toward the hotel and find it sprinkling. Our first rain while in China! We are so weary and are relieved when the van pulls up to a hotel. I've heard much about the White Swan but at this point it is around 11:00 at night and not able to take much in. After the Shanxi Grand we have been VERY spoiled and we simply want air conditioning and beds.

After what seems like so much paperwork and delay we head to our rooms. The beds are more of the enlarged twin beds that we have heard about but Julia's crib is right at the side of mine. Mary and Mary Romer have a "party room" next door. The girls are asleep and we fall in bed almost immediately without even showering, determined to reconnect with our friends and showerhead tomorrow morning.

But we are here. We are safe and happy and headed around the home stretch in our adoption journey.

Goodnight from GZ. We love and appreciate the prayers and support. We'll blog again when we have a chance at Internet (no computer in the room here).

Blessings,
Carole, Marty, Mary, and Julia