Oath Day at US Consulate

Today we went to the US Consulate in Guangzhou and took the oath of citizenship for Chen Qian so that when we land in the US she will become a US citizen.  The adoption happened last week in Jinan and was very low key.  There we just signed a paper and she was ours.  Now she will be a US citizen and give up her Chinese citizenship.

We also toured a very nice park today.  It is popular with the retired folks and there were lots of old people playing Tia Chi, practicing ballroom dancing, exercising and fan dancing.  There is one thing that I cannot get over and that is people swimming in the Pearl River.  It is gross and lots of big boats use it for transportation.  If you can see the dude swimming in this photo - right next to the big boat.  It reminds me of the Seinfeld episode with Kramer swimming in the East River.

 Can you see the dude swimming?

 ...right next to the ship?

 Lunch time, when we do lots of "cheers".

 Tired baby

Banyan Tree Temple

Char and Chen Qian lighting incense sticks

Today was another good day with Chen Qian.  We had a few tears in the morning and we are never sure what sets her off.  But we had a  great day of playing and laughing.  She is very comfortable with us and freely calls us Mama and Baba - which is very cool.  We can't wait to get home to the boys so we can all be together again.    Char and I even got good night kisses tonight without having to bribe her! 

I also included some photos of our trip to the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees.  There are only three there now.  We lit some incense and made wishes for Chen Qian and the rest of the family.  I think Chen Qian has been to Temple before, as she seemed to know exactly what to do with the incense.  Enjoy the pictures.

Tomorrow is a fun day of shopping at the pearl and jade markets -- lunch together with our guide and the Wursters who we are traveling with, and then a dinner cruise on the Pearl River (no swimming).  Any requests for our shopping trips???