Consulate day

Today was Tuesday and that meant it was time for our Consulate appointment.  This is where our government gives final approval and will begin the process to grant her visa to travel home.   We were blessed to visit with some other families.  One man really encouraged Robin and then me. 

Before the consulate we had to stop at the visa medical clinic to pick up her medical report.  I saw this photo of President Trump with the President of China in a travel store.

It was funny as we were going through security I looked through the window and saw a familiar looking Chinese woman.  It was Jocelyn one of our former guides.  She smiled and waived.  We ran into her after we got out and were able to visit with her and Grace.

Jocelyn, Grace and Robin

The time at the Consulate was mostly a non event, they reviewed the paperwork and we had to swear that we had been truthful on all the paperwork we submitted.   Then a quick interview with a guy from Texas and we are done. 

One thing that bothers me is over 90% of the employees you see at the consulate are not US citizens they appear to be locals.   Seems strange to me.

On our drive we got a great view of Canton Tower.

After this we went in search of a Disney Store in search of an item for Aaron but to no avail there does not appear to be a store here any more.   We did see a couple of really cool malls though.

We saw these cool transformers in a shopping area.  Josh had to get his photo with them.

Some of the shopping area views.

This is an ancient clock. Not sure how it works.

We also made a stop over at the China Hotel so we could see how it has changed and wanted to hit the shops next door.  The prices here were much better than on the island.  We picked up a few items we wanted.

In one of the malls Josh found a Lego store and had to pose for this photo

This evening we did something for dinner I have always wanted to do.  We went to a Peking Duck House.   I have had Peking Duck before but never at a real place that specializes in that.   We sat near the oven and watched them cook.  They carved the duck table side and the waitress showed us how to make the little pancakes.   The food was so good and the price was very reasonable.

The chef at the duck oven.

The ducks cooking

the sign shows the process.

trying to reason with a stubborn kid that does not understand English 

Peking Duck

It was SO GOOD!

the lady showing us how to make  the little pancakes. 

After we got back to the hotel the daily melt down started.  Hannah cried so hard, finally we put her in the stroller and went down to 711 to get ice cream that I had promised Joshua.   She calmed down, had her ice cream.   After that bath time went better than usual.  We know she will likely melt down when it is bed time here. 

Today was a better day overall.  Tomorrow we are back to the island, off to the pearl market and then Dim Sum.   Thursday we pick up her passport with the visa to come home.

We are tired and ready to get home.