Saturday evening in Guilin

Hi from bustling Guilin! We finally left Nanning this morning and boarded our train for the 5 hour trip to Guilin. The train ride was amazing and we actually had some Chinese-Americans from California sitting next to us, so that was nice to translate on occassion. Natalie and Anna did amazingly well and I'm so proud of both of them. I wish the airlines had as much room as our train seats! I know everyone thought we were so bizzare because we had so much luggage! I think the highlight of the trip was when I had to take Anna to the loo....which was locked becuase we were nearing the next station. She was adamant, so when I asked the attendant if she would unlock the door, she just pointed to a big bucket on the floor. There were about 10 Chinese around, who I KNOW were laughing at me & thinking I wouldn't use it, but I immediately just acted like all the Chinese do and pulled down her pants and held her over the bucket. Then just proudly pulled them back up & marched her off like no big deal....it was hilarious! ha! There have been many times when I have just pulled her over to a dirt or grassy area....that's just the way they do it here. She won't use the pull-up, so this will just have to do. Until we get back to the U.S. of course!

I wept quietly as we left Nanning. As we began to see the countryside and other parts of the town where people lived and worked just broke my heart. We are so fortunate for the things we have and the comfortable lives we all live. The farmers were toiling in the fields with their water buffalo and carrying long poles with heavy baskets on each end. You never saw any farm machinery of any kind...only hard working humans. And you know what? You never hear anyone complain....there is no anger or road rage like in the US. It is so different. And sad too. We are so incredibly lucky to have two beautiful and smart children from this country.

Anna is still doing just great. The only small amount of grieving I have seen was during her afternoon nap after seeing the foster family. She must have been dreaming of the day....she was whimpering in her sleep and tears were streaming down her face. It was so sad & I just cradled her and assured her that mama was here & she'd be OK. She still has very pensive moments....very devilish moments....and moments that will pull at your heartstrings when you hear the incredible giggling belly laugh she has. She is very playful and when she and Natalie get busy playing she has this squeal of delight that will shatter your eardrums, as well as the windows of the hotel :-) The talks pretty quietly....but boy can she belt out come screeching noise when happy! Oy!

Since the moment the train stopped in Guilin, it has been bustling. I really don't like that too much...it is very pretty here, but our guide really does not speak English very well and we're almost better off without her. We went to a local restaurant for lunch and it was good, but again, the translation was a mess. We then went to Reed Flute Cave which we all enjoyed & Natalie got lots of pictures of. Anna squealed "wow!" alot as she looked up at all the cave formations. Now we are back at the really nice Waterfall Hotel. It is just beautiful and at 8:30 p.m. they have a manmade waterfall spectacle to see.

I'll probably pass on trying to post pics right now.....need to get back to the room to make sure the two little tornados have not completely trashed it already.

Tomorrow will be a quick and busy day of sightseeing. We will take the Li River Cruise and then Monday morning we will board or flight for our last stop in Guangzhou for Anna's U.S. Visa. We will be SO SO SO SO SO glad to get home for alot of reasons.....but mainly so you can meet our precious gift and delightful baby daughter! There is no telling how much English she will have already acquired by then. We are so happy that she loves to learn and Natalie is the best teacher of all. She is so proud to be a big sister...you can tell it in everything she does, even in the determined way she walks.

More later shen I get a chance! Hugs and kisses to everyone!