TUESDAY
Our tour to the countryside was great. It was however INCREDIBLY HOT. Seeing the rice growing and production process, visiting with a local farmer in his home and being harassed (yes – this is the best word) to buy things as we walked about were all a great learning experience. 
It has been a blessing being here with our group of 7 to experience all of this together. Last night we went to the local shopping strip but the heat was still somewhere around the low 30s so we packed it in early. 
WEDNESDAY
It is now Wednesday morning for us. We just came from another amazing breakfast buffet with both Western and Asian food options. The service at this Sheraton Hotel is amazing – you won’t wait a minute for anything.
The Li River cruise yesterday was absolutely beautiful. In 4 hours we saw incredible scenery with the many and very unique Karst hills. This is the 2nd cleanest river in China and is most versatile as it is used by water buffalos, Chinese fishermen, bathers, laundry washers and one man on a meagre bamboo raft ~ while chatting on his cell phone!! They even offered snake wine on board – yep, with the snake in it. Needless to say – we declined.
The Li River cruise yesterday was absolutely beautiful. In 4 hours we saw incredible scenery with the many and very unique Karst hills. This is the 2nd cleanest river in China and is most versatile as it is used by water buffalos, Chinese fishermen, bathers, laundry washers and one man on a meagre bamboo raft ~ while chatting on his cell phone!! They even offered snake wine on board – yep, with the snake in it. Needless to say – we declined.
Our tour to the countryside was great. It was however INCREDIBLY HOT. Seeing the rice growing and production process, visiting with a local farmer in his home and being harassed (yes – this is the best word) to buy things as we walked about were all a great learning experience. It has been a blessing being here with our group of 7 to experience all of this together. Last night we went to the local shopping strip but the heat was still somewhere around the low 30s so we packed it in early. WEDNESDAY Today we went to see Elephant Trunk Hill and the Seven Star park where President Clinton made a famous (for the Guilin-ites anyway) speech on the environment. While at this spot, Andrew and I were asked to be in several photos with some Chinese young adults - we felt important, if not just for a moment...
We then went to the local Pearl Museum and Market, as Guilin is famous for its salt water pearls, and successfully left "lighter" than when we arrived :) We wanted to buy real pearls for the 3 females in our family as we all have the meaning "a beautiful pearl" in our names. We are taking this afternoon off to pack for tomorrow, and then we are having our final small group dinner tonight and off to see the Cormorant Fishermen show.
TOMORROW...
It is amazing to think that we only have 1 more sleep to go – and then we catch an 8am flight to Guangzhou! The next time you hear from us – we will be parents to 2 beautiful girls! Word is still that we will meet them at 2:30pm China time (2:30am Canada time). No promises on how soon we can post but we’ll do our best.
Thanks to everyone who has been posting comments - we are excited to be able to read them and "connect" with home when we log on! Hopefully the hotel's business centre in Guangzhou will work as well as the past 2 hotels for us to do quick and easy updates for you.
9 comments:
Hi Andrew and Margaret,
The scenery looks so beautiful! It will be great to see all of your pictures. We can't wait to see our beautiful nieces! We love you and we're praying for all of you. I don't know how much you'll sleep tonight! God is so good!
Love Elizabeth and Graham
Hi Margaret and Andrew
It is thrilling to be part of this journey via photos and emails. We are so excitd for you and know that when you have those two precious girls placed in your arms that it will feel "like home". God has prepared you for such a time as this. We are praying for you!
Love in Christ
The Kneider"s
Hi Margaret and Andrew...will you sleep? Oh, we are so excited for you. Your precious daughters will soon be held in your arms. May you have a most blessed day!! God is faithful.
love, Andy and Jeanette
Hello!
Not sure about this "comment thing"... I love reading what you're going through - kind of makes you seem a bit closer. Kieran would REALLY like to see some pictures of Eliana and Olivia - "Why not NOW?!?!" he keeps asking/yelling. Can't wait to see all your karst photos - studied it but still have yet to see the "real" thing. Emmaleen is walking - almost running - must be the influence of Kieran and her 2 other cousins. She'll be sure to pass the secrets onto Eliana and Olivia if they aren't doing so already! Lots of love to you all!
Michaella
Hi Andrew and Margaret,
It's been wonderful seeing some pictures and reading of your travels so far in China. Tomorrow is the day that we've all been waiting for, when you will actually meet your daughters and our grandaughters for the first time. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Love Mum and Dad
It's just all so exciting!! You are doing an awesome job on the blog - the pictures are awesome and I feel like we almost get to be right there with you!
Our prayers are with you as is our excitement!!! Can't wait to hear about meeting your daughters!!
Lots of love,
Andrea
Hi Andrew and Margaret
And to think you will become parents to two beautiful pearls while we are sleeping! We're counting on those gotcha day photos!
Steph & Family (fellow BB'ers)
Hello and Congratulations!
Heard that you have both Eliana and Olivia cuddled in your arms. Kieran is desperate to see photos but I told him it'll be a while - he wants to see them just like he can see Torrin and Brennan. Let those 2 girls know that they'll have a "big brother" (as well as their other cousins I'm sure!) looking out for them.
We'll be praying for health for all of you. Take care!
Love Michaella
WELCOME HOME!!
We can hardly wait to see your new daughters. Glad the trip went well.
God bless
Pastor Jack & Dorothy Ozard
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