A new day and a french fry

Today we awoke once again in Taiyuan, Elsie did not sleep great, and we looked out on to the gray industrial city feeling gloomy.

Since gotcha day; Elsie must be held by me (only me) every minute she is awake.  And typically not just held; but, tightly held chest to chest.  I cannot imagine what she is going through; but, nonetheless, it is difficult at times for us... I cannot take a shower for example without her banging on the glass crying at the top of her lungs.

So, there is the back ground for this post, an industrial city and a beautiful baby that needs lots of love.

We got checked out of our hotel early and had to run to pick up Elsie's passport, we had stopped the previous eve; but, it was not ready.

On the way, the traffic was terrible, there was an accident to wait through and then some.  Echo ran into the office and came back passport in hand, whew... relief.  Then, the driver took a "short cut" to the freeway.  His short cut went up the "wholesale" market street which is full of pedestrians and porters with hand carts and all the other various forms of Asian transport devices... a half hour later we had gone only a few blocks, and though Echo did not tell us... her tone of speech, and the driver's actions, driving for blocks into oncoming traffic, let us know we were late.

Once we got on the freeway, it was clear sailing, except it kept running through my mind "we are doing 150 + kmh in a cheapo little asian van, with no seat belts or car seat!"

Anyway, we made it to the airport and through security no problem.  Remember, Elsie only wants to be held by me currently, so that means a simple trip to the restroom is a massive deal in her world... as I try to avoid taking her in there, while in public!  The flight was fine and we got to see some smiles and giggles while en route.

Finally, we got to Guangzhou, it is much more tropical feeling here, palm trees and humidity.  The climate actually felt similar to STL.  Our hotel is the White Swan located on Shamian Island overlooking the Pearl river  www.guangzhouhotel.com/White_Swan_Hotel_Guangzhou.htm

The whole area is beautiful, was just given back to China from the British? in the 50s, the architecture is colonial.  As an alternate to our Taiyuan experience, we headed to Lucy's...an expat type place frequented by adoptive parents and proudly ordered two cheeseburgers, french fries and cold beer (milk for Elsie).  And with that, Elsie had her first french fry there was hope for the new day...