Merry Christmas, from China

  

Today was Christmas Eve here, and instead of heading to Hong Kong for sightseeing tomorrow we stayed in Guangzhou one more night.


One of the receptionists told me that many people come to Guangzhou to celebrate Christmas, so there are hundreds of people walking the streets tonight, shopping and socializing, and the hotel seems even more full than it had.  We had a nice day, beginning with yet another bountiful breakfast buffet.  We then took another stroll down the park that runs the length of this very small island and found a small shop that gives all its proceeds to orphanages, the owner also an adoptee but here in China.  Also during our stroll we were stopped by a local named James, who asked us if he could practice his english, and we happily agreed to help.  His chinese name sounds a bit like "James", but he took on James as his english name, as some chinese seem to do.  He is 19 and goes to school at night, studying english and business.  He learned most of his english by watching american movies, his favorite being Will Smith's Men in Black.  He sounded very clear, so apparently american movies are not all bad!  He wanted to talk about basketball a lot, said baseball was boring (Kevin flinched at that one) and didn't know much about american football.  We talked about american customs verses chinese customs, and he asked if Kevin wanted to "be Father Nicholas", which I guess he was really asking if Kevin was going to dress up like Santa Clause.  I giggled a bit and said no, we would be here for Christmas, and said that Santa is popular in America but so is Jesus.  Here in China people just visit one another's homes and bring small gifts, but the celebration is not as important as it is in America.   He wants badly to visit America someday, I hope he gets that opportunity.

This afternoon we got Madeline all dressed up and took some pictures around the hotel and for the first time had a chance from our busy schedule to explore the hotel a bit.  In one lounge we found birds tweeting sweetly and Madeline really enjoyed them.  She looked fabulous in her red dress, but could have used a big flowered headband to make her a bit more feminine.  For the first time since we got her, I got a "tsk" from an older lady in the lobby to cover Madeline's arms, "she's cold!".  If only she knew we were going back to a foot of snow at home, this mild weather is nothing, but I just smiled and pretended I didn't understand.  

Tonight, on my way to Subway to get our Christmas feast of ham and turkey, I passed a vendor selling santa hats and headbands with devil horns on them that blinked, made me laugh.  In the restaurant downstairs they have a special party set up with New Year's Eve type hats and blinking table decorations that lean a bit gaudy.  We tried to get into the Catholic chapel today, but it was locked, and we can't seem to find out if they are having any masses or services today.  It's ok anyway because Madeline conked out at 5:30 pm, before I even got her pajamas on, poor baby.

Pictured are scenes from around the hotel, Madeline's new shoes we picked up last week that she loves, a way to big Christmas shirt she will not be wearing this year, and oh, yes, whole baked pigeons.  I had fun snapping some shots of the items in our room service menu.  

May you all have a wonderful Christmas celebration of Christ's birth and family togetherness.  We so look forward to celebrating once we get home from a long two days of travel.  Thankfully (sarcasm) Kevin is making me listen to Garth Brook's cheesy version of Silent Night, but has also put some really great Christmas songs on the computer to help get us all in the mood!  God bless!!