Back to China: Sunday-September 9th

Today was a day to kick back and take in some of the local sites. After breakfast we all met downstairs and got on our bus. We went to the Guangdong Local Folk Art Museum at the Chen Clan Temple. There were different artist practicing their art. The first room had a gentleman painting with only his hand. He was making beautiful paintings. We got one with pandas and bamboo and got a free bookmark with it. I'll hang the picture somewhere in our house. It's a small one. Will have it framed and then decide where I want to put it.There were bone and ivory carvings, ornate wood work and jewelry design, and something that looked like clay figures that were framed. We also saw gorgeous embroidery wall hangings that were exquisite. I've done embroidery and I know how much work went into those wall hangings and how delicate the stitchery was. The entry way and in other places had teakwood carvings. The heavy front doors were painted with warriors to protect the temple and to keep evil and spirits out.
After the temple, we headed over to Shamian Island. Boy has it changed since we were last here! The large hotel, the White Swan, closed 2 years ago. This is where everyone took the red couch pictures and a lot of other adoption families have stayed at in the past. The island is where everyone used to have their consulates in the past. There were many shops that catered to the adoption families. They did not have near as much in the stores as they used to. However, they were willing to barter more since they do not have near the traffic they did previously. We did find a Subway on the island and decided to eat lunch there and finished up at Starbucks. It was so hot, I got a green tea frappacinno(sp?)It was heavenly! The kids wanted to keep tasting so I think I only got half of it!:)
It has definitely been hotter here than the last time. You walk outside and are almost instantly drenched in sweat.
Walked around some last night and ate peanut butter sandwiches in the room for dinner. So glad we brought the Jif to go peanut butter!
I think we have pretty much finished any shopping we need to do. Time to get the kiddos to bed. Lights out at 8 PM for all of us. We have to be in the lobby at 7:50 tomorrow am.
Lisa