Lucy and Ricky....or Bruce and Patti?

Today is our last day of not being parents. 

Here's  how it went:

Cody was not into both of us in a twin bed last (I can't imagine why) so we each took a separate bed. We had a jet lag episode around 2:00 a.m. and then went back to sleep until 6:30 a.m. I woke up complaining that we didn't get to sleep together and Cody agreed while cursing and referring to our room as "The F-in' Ricky Ricardo Suite." We only have one more night in this room because when we come back, we get our real suite--and it better be "real SWEET" (get it?) :)

Since we have to take a plane and then a bus to Chongqing tomorrow (pronounced Chongching) to pick up FuLan at the orphanage, we (Cody) decided we needed to not only unpack everything, but also and take out some stuff and leave it here.  (See top picture) That did not make me happy. I didn't bring too many "wardrobe changes" to begin with and now I have to cut THAT in half! I also had to cut FuLan's clothing in half which was not easy since I'm really not sure what size she is... 

While we were doing the "re-pack," one of the families in our group came to meet us: Jake, Cathy and their 6-year-old daughter (also adopted from China), Amelia Simpson. THEY'RE AWESOME. They're so cool and funny and warm. We loved them instantly and I'm not just saying that because they might be reading this--they are THAT cool. We hung with them for awhile and then Cody and I hit the streets of Guangzho.

We had a blast. It's so much more fun than I thought it would be. The people are WAY friendly and the stores are all so much fun. Most of stores have the same kind of stuff, (all tourist traps) but I love those kind of stores and I had a great time boosting the economy of China today. I bought FuLan some super cute stuff and made some new friends (see middle picture). No, I didn't haggle and yes, I got totally ripped off but I don't care. I know they don't have a lot of money here and I had a blast. 

The Chinese people are definitely intrigued by Americans. They stare (but always smile) with a great intensity. They're full of compliments--my favorite by far was "sexy mama," when I told them why we were here. The boys seemed really into Cody. I told him that they probably thought he was Bruce Springsteen or something. BRRRRUUUUUCCCCEEEE!!!!!!!

We shopped and walked learning our lay of the land. On our way back to the hotel, Cody stopped at a 7-11 while I chatted with some shopkeepers. While we were walking away, a group of kids came out of nowhere and swarmed us. (See third picture for the kids). "Can you sign your name? Can you sign your name???" They were shoving notebooks and pens at us so we would sign their pads. It was so funny. We thought we were so cool until some other American guy walked by and they did the same thing to him...

When we got back to the "Ricky Ricardo Room," The Simpsons came by to hang and then Wendy and John came by too. YAY!! The whole group is here! I love our group and I can't believe we're all going to get our kids tomorrow. BIG DAY TOMORROW.

Cody and I are going to an Italian place we found on the island tonight for "the last supper," and then we're going to go to bed early.

We're meeting Peter (our guide) and the group at 8:50 a.m. BIG DAY TOMORROW!!!!

We probably won't get to our new hotel with FuLan until around 8:30 p.m. our time (so 8:30 am'ish your time) but I promise I will log in with pictures, details and FuLan's American name as soon as I can. I'm still not sure what name Cody is going to go with. I really like all the names we have on the table (except one I think is a bit of a "stripper name)."

BTW--we love, love, love all the comments. Thank you guys so much. It makes us feel a little closer to home. Thank you. XOXO