Guangzhou

This is the second time I have tried to post---

We left Changsha during the night two days ago. It was a terrible time to leave with our babies. It messed up their sleep patterns and frightened many of them when they woke up in a strange environment. Again, the airplane was awful with the air pressure. The airpressure was so bad that the inside of our thermos exploded. We have been scrambling to find a replacement as that is how you keep clean water for the baby. First you boil the water and then carry it with you in the thermos. Needless to say, I hate airplanes. When I get home if I never see another airplane in my life I will be thrilled.

Guangzhou is my least favorite of all the places we have been. The White Swan is nice and shopping is great, but its not as pretty as Changsha or as comfortable as Hong Kong. David and I share a twin bed...we're not little people, ok. The White Swan is beautiful in the common areas, but lacks much to be desired in the private sleeping chambers. If you're coming to Guangzhou get a bigger bed requested if you can.

Everything has gone smoothly for us until reaching Guangzhou. Six months ago we were re-fingerprinted and told by the INS (BCIS) that everything was ok. Yesterday we found that to not be true. The consulate had no information concerning our fingerprints and we had not been provided with a new expiration date on the paperwork provided by INS (BCIS)---a stupid oversight on their part. We had to get in touch with family back home and have them scramble to help us with the dilemma. They were able to get Virginia's (we're a Tennessee couple) Congressman to help clear up the matter. Moral of the story--just because someone in BCIS says all is well doesn't mean it is true. Check to see that your expiration date is in writing on your fingerprint paperwork, especially if you have been re-fingerprinted.

The shopping in Guangzhou is great. We bought clothes for the kids and had their pictures taken in the White Swan. They are beautiful.

As internet access is expensive here this will be my last post until I get home. So all is well and enjoy the pictures. Hope to see family at the airport.

Love Jenny