Shamian Island

Wednesday April 17, 2013

Today was a free day.   This morning we were able to spend some time with our friend Shiyan.   It was great spending time visiting with her.  This is the lady that our Shiyan is named after, she helped facilitate our first 2 adoptions.

Shiyan, Shaun and Robin

 

After that we headed over to Shamian Island.  This is the area where all the adoptive families previously would stay.   We have stayed on the island on our 3 previous trips.  There are many shops and places to purchase souvenirs.  We have gotten to know some of the shop keepers over the years.  But this visit was different.  Since the US Consulate moved off of the island and then the White Swan Hotel closed for renovations there are not nearly as many people there.   Many shops are closed and others have moved.  The shops that are still there will haggle and deal with you on items and that is fun for me.

a view from the island.

You know you have spent too much money over the years in the shops when you are in your second shop of the day and look on the side of the Pepsi cooler and see a photo of your wife wearing a Chinese outfit that the shopkeeper made for her several years ago.  Then in the same shop you go over to the picture frames and see the same wife again in one of the picture frames.   I told the shop keeper I needed a better deal since they were using Robin in advertising.   She treated me pretty fair on the items we purchased.

a photo of Robin that we found in a shop today.

 

It was sad to see that shops so empty and business so poor for these shop keepers.  We purchased several items we needed and were able to visit with several of the shop keepers we knew. Several shops told us we were the first customers of the day, I know they some times say this to try and get you to deal but it was slow most of the day, rarely anyone other than us in a shop at one time.  The island is beautiful and the flowers were in full bloom.   We had a great day on the island and enjoyed all the sites.

In the background the White Swan all covered up and being rebuilt.

  

shops along the street toward the White Swan.

It was sad to see the White Swan all covered up and under construction.  It was also sad to wonder what this area will be like in the coming years with all the changes and to wonder what will happen with the shop keepers. 

our traditional photo with the adoption statue.

On the island they have a lot of statues that show life on the island.   Above is a photo of us with the statue that depicts how they see the adoptive family.  American balding man with 2 camera's, overweight American woman, pushing Chinese baby in stroller,.   Gee that is not us at all!

This evening Shaun was wiped out so we decided to stay in the room.   We had never tried Papa Johns in China and since they deliver we gave it a try.  I have to say it was great.  After dinner Shaun was playing in front of my desk and after a few minutes I noticed he was asleep by my feet in the floor.  He has been sleeping soundly all evening,.

Tomorrow is our Consulate appointment so we are to be up early and on the way there.  This is the last official thing in this adoption.  Pray that the paperwork all processes without complications and that Shaun’s entry visa is granted so we can head home this weekend.   We are all ready to get back home and back to our routines.