Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. -Isaiah 43:5

An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break.
-An Ancient Chinese Belief

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Tour and Red couch day.

This will be more of photo journal today, of a tour we took and the rest of the special day in Guangzhou.

China has a lot of interesting culture and history to it. The above is a 17 story tall Buddhist Pagoda at a Buddhist Temple. I say it is interesting just because it is that, and because of our different Christian beliefs. We could have had Emma blessed by a monk but chose not to.

We took this picture just to save a snap shot of what some of the people in China worship. Many Chinese were here offering there prayers and burning incense to three of these 30ft tall 10 ton figures. They left offerings of oranges, apples, flowers, Coca Cola, Bottled water and 20 Bags of rice, etc..............(were many of the things we saw left for them.)

These next pictures are of our next stop called the Chen Family Temple. It was very ornate as seen in these pictures. This probably one of the only family temples left standing in Guangzhou. It was one of the biggest and ornate.

There were many detailed and artistic carvings made from wood, ivory, bone, and jade. There was also many embroidered pictures that we were not able to take pictures of because it was thought that the colors would fade from the flash photography. The carving above was out of ivory, though now outlawed to carve from ivory.

One of many different ornate fans.

Emma after a refreshing drink of water, Ahhhhh!

We are staying at the Victory Hotel in Guangzhou, but many families that adopt from China stay at a Hotel Called the White Swan. These pictures are at the White Swan, with an indoor water fall and pond.

Grandma Evelyn, Eric, and Emma in front of the water fall at the White Swan.

One of several ornate Jade carving at the White Swan.

Cousin Lauren, your not the only one that can do tricks with your eyes.

Red couch pictures in silk dresses and or outfits are a tradition for adopted children before they leave China. We were lucky to get this picture of Emma before she knew what was going on.

Here is one of our groups represented by CCAI children. Emma was tired and hungry at this point in the early evening (and probably a little mad for being left alone with all of her adopted friends.


Mom and Dad with Emma on the red couch.


This is the pearl river outside the White Swan Hotel it is the third biggest river in China. Almost all of the buildings along the river are lit up at night.

Well that was our day. Tomorrow is more paper work and applications for visas and a medical exam for all the children, and also a free afternoon. Maybe swimming on the 10th floor of our hotel, naps, or shopping.

Eric, Jenn, Emma and Evelyn.






1 comment:

Kym said...

Whew, I am exhausted reading about all your travels and sight-seeing with a little one in tow. The pics are amazing, to see all the culture represented. How neat that you will be able to share this with Emma as she grows.