It's finally the weekend!

Finally got to saturday, now we're on the home stretch!!!
Today we went to the Jade market. We walked the "usual" route we take over to the city of Guangzhou. I guess I never really explained where we're staying...we are on an "island" if you will, Shaiman Island, which is very small (only 325 yds wide x 700yds long) and surrounded by a canal and muddy waters of the Pearl River. It has a few hotels, The Victory which is our hotel and the White Swan, both of which are used by a lot of adoptive families. The US consolate is here, which is where we will get Avery's visa to come to the US on weds. There are lots of little shops where everyone wants to sell you souveniers, clothes/shoes for the kids, etc. and some restaurants. It also has other offices, school and apartments. It is very quiet, relaxed atmosphere, although it comes alive on other side on friday and sat night we noticed. Anyways, when you cross over the river (walk over a big creek!) you are in Guangzhou. The city has 7 million people! The streets we go through to get to the shopping district are small alley-like and where locals sell their goods. We saw this the other day, but did not see the live scorpions until today! (one of pictures) There were 3 tubs, kind of like small kiddie pools, full of them!!! It was nasty! And they were moving all around! Our guide (not Zhou today, our agency had 6 more families come in last night with LOTS of extended family members accompanying them, so he had some helpers) told us all the animals for sale that we were seeing were for pets, not food! That was a different street!!! We went back through similar area from the other day. We did stop at a temple on the way to the market (other pictures). There was a tremendous amount of incense burning there. You bought it, lit it and then stuck it in a cart sitting outside the temple. Inside one of the buildings there were 500 buddha statues! There were a lot of people praying there. We then went to the jade market. It is basically a few streets with vendors selling jade! (what did you expect??!). We got a few things... We then headed back the same path to the hotel. On the way, some of us wanted to get a few things at a dept store (diapers, juice boxes, snacks for kids). All but 1 couple was done, so the rest of us waited outside the store. Now, the shopping district is like an open air mall, but bigger and with more people (see picture). We are all standing there (4 american families w/ chinese girls) and we became the center of attention! People (chinese women mostly) stood there just staring at us! It was very uncomfortable after a few minutes. And you knew they were talking about all of us! You really wonder what these people think! We think about that when you're walking around and they just look at you, but they know all of these kids are in orphanages, so we hope that they are happy for all the children who find homes! One of our new friends told us at dinner tonight that staring is culturally accepted!
Avery is seeming to feel more and more at ease with us. Like I said, she is full of energy! When we are out and about she is quiet and reserved, but there is a playroom for the kids down our hall and when she's in there, watch out! She is entertainment for the rest! She is repeating more words today and is continuing the kisses! Tonight at bedtime, she barely wimpered when we got in bed (she sleeps between Keith and I in king-sz bed). After we said goodnight we each gave her a kiss and asked her for one, which she did. Then after a moment she leaned over to me and kissed my cheek, totally unsolicited!!! And then Keith's! I think she likes us!!!!
We're heading to the zoo tomorrow morning. Another family told me it is pretty nice, they have a panda. She just said they have dogs and cats caged as well!!! We're not in Kansas anymore!
(Tim, if you're reading this, that was Keith trying to call you this morning! (friday pm for you). We were having trouble with skype...will try later!)
Love, Keith, Jackie and Cole