Good-bye China!

It's 5:35 am Friday, April 11th and the angels are still sleeping. We need to wake them in the next 5-10 minutes and head downstairs to the bus that will take us to the airport for our 8:20 flight.

I thought I'd write a little bit about what I will miss and won't miss about China. When I return to the U.S. and catch up on my sleep I'll post more pictures and some video that I shot while here. I've got some cool pictures.

What I will miss about China:

• The people - everyone is so nice, older women are so sweet, they will pick up your child and admire them. Everyone is curious about Americans and the adoption process. You would think they might be upset that we are taking their children out of their country but they are so excited about it. They say "lucky girl" to the children.
• Being a "celebrity". It's so cute, they come up to you and want to take their picture with you. This happened to Morgan all the time, especially since she's a blond, curly haired, beautiful child! (coming from her Mom!)
• Holt International Adoption Agency - they were awesome and I would highly recommend them to anyone.
• The warm weather in Guangzhou.
• Some of the food. We tried a lot of new things on this adventure.
• The walking. We walked a ton, great exercise.
• Chinese massage!!!!!
• The countryside, Wonders of the World like the Great Wall of China and the Terracotta Warriors.
• All of the ancient history and architecture.

What I won't miss about China:

• The very hard, twin sized beds, even in 4-5 star hotels. I know they are small people, but please!
• The traffic - scary. You take your own life in your hands just trying to cross the street.
• So many people in such a small area. The cities are so congested, it's truly amazing.
• Some of the food (especially the live animals ready to be picked out and cooked for your dinner).
• The plumbing situation and "squatty potty's" - scary. They are essentially a hole in the floor and you have to be very careful where you step. In every public bathroom we were looking for the "western" toilet (a normal toilet).
• Going into KFC and being very confused (Joe experienced this).
• The retail purchasing process at the mall. You have to pick out your merchandise, get a receipt, take it up to the cashier, pay for it and then return the paid receipt and pick up your merchandise. Not an efficient process.
• Trying to figure out the money exchange.
• The cold weather in Beijing and Xian.
• The pollution.
• The difference in the electricity.
  

There is so much more on both sides, but I must get the girls out the door. See you when we get back home to the good Ole USA!

Melissa