Shaiman Island

Today was another sight seeing day. But it was really a shopping kind of day.

We had to remain in our rooms between 10:00-12:00 today. Frank was at the US Consulate with our paperwork to make sure everything goes through alright. We have to get one more piece of paper re-notarized tomorrow. One of the notarys stamps wasn't up to date so she hAd crossed the last 2 digits of the year out and hand wrote it in. That doesn't fly here. Everything must be perfect and up to snuff, no mistakes or they don't take it. No big deal, they will notarize a new one at the Consulate for us tomorrow when we go for the oath.

We went to lunch at 1:00 today, it was really good, a little spicy though. I didn't eat the spicy, Gary did and said it was really good. After that we went to Shaiman Island for a little shopping. Shaiman Island is where the White Swan Hotel is, we walked quickly through the hotel, very pretty, and out onto the street. Frank gave us about 75 minutes to shop-not very long. Also, Shaiman Island is geared toward the adoption crowd, you can tell, and it wasn't really the shopping we wanted. But we did get a few things, and Mommy learned how to haggle-pretty good!!

I am never comfortable with haggling, but today I found my way with it. But these shop owners really didn't move much on their prices, like I said geared toward the adoption people. We were in one store, and the lady was really making me mad. She quoted another price to us when we got ready to pay, it was higher than the first time. Then she wanted double the price on one of the outfits because it was 2 pieces instead of one. I argued back and forth with her, and we ended up leaving. Well, that's all it took, after that I got good at haggling. They would quote a price, and we would say, "Oh, too much, too much", they would say, "Oh good price, it's half off price". We would walk away, and they would say, "Okay how much you wanna pay", I would slash it in half, and we would go from there.

So we got a couple outfits for Avery, and also got her a little panda backpack for her toys on the plane. I said I wasn't getting squeaky shoes, but ended up with a pair for her, along with some pretty leather shoes. I didn't haggle on the leather shoes, the little girl selling them was too darn cute, and what a good salesman she was, I knew I was being played, but she was adorable. Plus, in US dollars they were only $6.00.

It was fun, but not really the type of shopping I wanted to do. But we have to go where they take us. So not much in the way of souvenirs, just not going to those types of places. Oh well...

Avery did well today shopping, and it was extremely humid today. Just like walking through a sauna all day. So we can't really shop with the little ones it's too hot, and I feel bad dragging her around. So we were ready after the 75 minutes to go back to the hotel. Another experience while here.

We had McDonald's for dinner tonight. Avery loved her chicken nuggets and french fries. First time for McDonald's.

Mommy & Daddy celebrated being a family tonight with a piece of chocolate hazelnut cake ( to die for), and a piece of black forest cake (good also) from the bakery in the hotel. We've been a family for exactly one week!!!

Avery turned in a litte early tonight, she was so tired. Mommy turned in early too. What a happy girl she is though. She is a card!! Sings to us, shares her food with us, and can do the Hunan Hustle like there is no tomorrow!! A real blessing and a joy! She's is so expressive, full of life, and very boisterous, and we love her so much. Daddy could pick her up a few seconds today and twirl her, and then she would want down...getting there.

Love to all,
~Allison, Gary, & Avery