Goodbye Nanchang, Hello Paradise!

Last night, we arrived in paradise. We are so relieved to be here. We didn’t realize how much until we arrived at the White Swan Hotel. We were all totally “Nanchang-ed out”! Guangzhou is a coastal city that has a tropical climate, much like Florida. This is great for us, since Daniel’s body can acclimate to this weather before we even leave China. Our American Consulate is located here, so every adoptive family from the US ends their trip in Guangzhou. The White Swan Hotel is really set up for adoptive families. It is an inspirational sight. There are literally hundreds of American families, most of which have adopted special needs children to extend their biological families. Some have five, six, seven children—some biological, some adopted, some healthy, some with medical conditions. It is a humbling experience. As a society, America has sure responded to the call to help these beautiful and special children despite their medical conditions.

Daniel handled his first airline flight beautifully. He never really fussed, but his eyes were big as saucers as we trekked through the airport and got on the plane. He was thrilled with the big lollipop we brought him to help with the turbulence. Last night, we walked next door to Lucy’s Bar & Grill. A cheeseburger and french fries never tasted so good! The night’s sleep was bumpy. Daniel had trouble settling in for the night and whimpered throughout the night. He was in a twin size bed with Mommy, so maybe space was an issue, but I’m sure he was totally over stimulated by the change of scenery and the fact that he was introduced to more unfamiliar surroundings. We will be here for a week for visa processing, so it will be a nice transition for him here. He is being exposed to more and more American faces with Chinese children.

This morning we went to the local medical clinic where all the children over age two had to have TB tests, required by the US government. Grandpa held Daniel while we consoled him. Never fun getting shots, is it? The US also requires immunizations, which we must face on Monday. Some of the families who arrived in Guangzhou earlier took their children for immunizations yesterday. Some of the children needed up to 7 immunizations. We are not looking forward to that! We are hoping for at least a few less…