Day 8: still in Nanchang, until tomorrow

Ni hao!

This will be short, as I've been having a tough time getting photos to upload, and it is already 12:30 a.m. here.
The pictures will do most of the talking.
Enjoy!

Last night, Daddy gave Ahna her first bottle. We had thought it best for only one of us to do so for at least several days, but since she had a rough day and refused a bottle from Mommy......



Today, she awoke in a really sweet mood, so after her morning bottle, I dressed her and we had a little photo shoot. She loves the pretty shirt Aunt Becki gave her.




She invited Eli in for the shoot......

Then spent lots of time playing with he and Seth on the bed, since Daddy and Jacob were away, visiting the orphanage. (be sure to see that post, below.)

She LOVES this towel, and has chosen it over all the pretty blankets I brought for her to "attach" to. :-) She has slept with a little towel in the orphanage......
"Did you say something to me? I'm busy scratching the fabric on this chair...."

At some point in the morning, our laundry was delivered. We should probably bring a few more clothes next time we come to China. We heard it was inexpensive to get laundry done, but when there are 5 of you..... the yuan do add up. (yes, I know there are 6 of us - but I don't send Ahna's laundry out. :-)

Eli brushed up on some more card-trick skills.

Then Bill and Jacob were back, and we spent lots of time talking about their trip and looking at pictures and video.

At 5:00 p.m. we met our wonderful travel friends and guides, loaded up on the bus, and went to a few porcelain shops. This province is quite famous for its porcelain, and we saw some beautiful items. The store clerks followed close behind, holding the pieces up to the light and chattering about I'm not sure what.


Then, off we went for dinner at a Chinese restaurant, which included entertainment. Lots of music and dancing as part of their show - when we filed out after our meal, there was a Michael Jackson sort of singer performing. Interesting.


After dinner, we loaded back up on the bus and drove about 15 minutes to a place on the famous Gan River, where we watched a lovely light show set to music. It was hot and humid and there was not a breeze anywhere. Even my shirt was soaked when we left. Did I mention that it is hot here, in southern China?

My camera doesn't show the pretty lights above the water, but our girl was completely mesmerized.


Then, it was back to the bus to head back to the hotel.



This is what she does EVERY time we get on the bus. She hates the bus. She has gotten quite a reputation for being the "cryer" of the bunch. :-) That is SO OK with us...... we know she is just learning how to deal with this new life of hers. She doesn't yet know how amazing it will be.

Once back at the hotel, she was a happy camper immediately.... you can't see her grinning, but she was.

They're all sleeping soundly now, so I must get some rest, as well. Tomorrow afternoon we leave for Guangzhou, where we will be for the remainder of our time in China. I feel an attachment to this province where our daughter was born, and hope to come back some day to explore it more.

Until next time, zai jien!

Oh, and one last thing: we read your comments and emails daily, and SO SO SO appreciate every one. Thank you. It is so good to hear from friends and family while we're here.