We spent our last day today in Nanning at one of the museums. It had different areas for the different ethnic groups that live in this province. The museum was very well done. I especially liked the recreated village out by the pond. The buildings were excellent, and culture was so evident. They had giant drums where a young lady was getting lessons. David asked if Christian could try them out, and they were more than willing to allow him on stage to take a turn. The teacher showed him one pattern and Christian got it down right off. The young lady told David he was a very fast learner. Christian never mentioned he’s been playing drums for a few years now. I will come back and embed a video of him playing once we get past the Great Firewall of China and can upload to YouTube.

  

The museum also offered Monica a chance to buy some items from Alexis’s part of the province. Many people have suggested that buying several things now and giving them to her as she grows is a great way for her to stay in touch with her culture. I know we have some jewelry and some clothes to start her off with for several years. Christian also didn’t waste any time checking out the scene. Well, the scene checked him out. Over a dozen girls surrounded him smiling and making comments to him. David translated a few things, but mostly Christian just stood there and smiled. If he had WiFi, he would have had the Google Translator app out conversing with them. Instead, they stood in awe of him and giggled “Goodbye” to him as we walked away. #MacDaddy

There was a woman with the girls that asked about Alexis and her cleft lip and cleft palate. David was nice enough to translate and share that there are many medical procedures that will help her live a perfectly normal life. The lady was very happy to hear that and was also happy Alexis was in a home now that could provide her with these things. Again, David was thrilled to be able to educate others on the special needs of orphans. You can tell it is his passion. When we asked him about how many nannies he will be training in Beijing next week on therapies with special needs kids, he said, “Several, but it will help so many little kids for them to know these things.” You can tell he has a servant’s heart and is doing the job God had planned for him.

We also took time to sit in a resting area inside the museum and just have a nice conversation with David about the Chinese culture as well as our own in Texas. Monica took notes in the hopes that she can tie it all together at some point down the road when she’s scrapbooking this journey. David was also soaking in our answers to his questions. You can tell he wants to know as much about the cultures of CCAI families in the hopes that he can be better prepared for those who visit to adopt children in the future.  I know I have said this already, but CCAI has such a gem in David. His continuously positive attitude sure helps make our time here so much more enjoyable. There are never any concerns with him. He always has an answer to every problem that could come up. “That’s easy. No problem,” is his reply. David is welcome in my family’s home any time he wants to visit Texas. I hope he visits. He needs to try out some Chick Fil A and Texas BBQ. Sweet tea just might ruin him for all other drinks.

We left the museum to grab some lunch. David took us to the local mall. And by mall, I mean this place was the Beverly Hills of malls: Prada, Gucci, Guess, Hugo Boss, and so on. Even the Pizza Hut we ate at was high end inside. We had some spaghetti, pizza, seasoned waffle fries, fried rice, and beef shiskabobs. It was quite an assortment of food. And as if that wasn’t filling enough, Monica spied a Dairy Queen down at the end of on of the mall sections, so we made a trip to DQ. Alexis had a great time eating some of my sundae and then some of her mother’s smoothie. Christian kept his dipped waffle cone all to himself. I don’t blame him. It looked pretty good.

A short taxi ride back to the hotel to proof some papers one last time, and then we finally got Alexis’s passport. The foster parents and orphanage were kind enough to provide something of a little diary to help us know more about Alexis as a baby girl and all of those important milestones. When we get back to the states, we will have to have one of our friends translate it for us.  David read some of it to us. Sounds like Alexis is like me and doesn’t like the heat much. She’s apparently not shy about shedding some clothes when the temps get hot. Good thing we live in the country surrounded by acres and acres of trees.

Alexis is doing so well now when it’s time to lay down for a nap or bedtime at night. There’s no crying or fussing. She grabs a book or two and climbs up next to Monica. Sounds a lot like Christian. She even wakes up like a Floyd: slowly. David realizes this as well as he told us at least four times before he left for the day that we need our luggage in the hall by 9AM and us in our private van to the airport by 9:30AM. We got the hint.

Our time in Nanning has been wonderful. While the temperatures were very warm and quite humid, we didn’t encounter any rain all week. That allowed us to go to the park, take walks, spend time out in the courtyard, as well as a few other things while we were here. I might have failed to mention we had to change rooms after our second night here. The AC didn’t work so well in the first one (even though the hotel staff said the room was freezing). Our room on the 15th floor has been perfect to help us cool off after our long walks. We have been able to learn about the culture while we were here. That was really something we wanted to do. Christian picked up several new Chinese words thanks to David and a Google Translator. That has been a big help with Alexis. She responds so much quicker with a little Mandarin thrown her way.

We only have a one hour flight to our final China resting spot: Guangzhou. We have some medical visits and a visa visit at the American Consulate to take care of. We will meet up with several families who have also been across the country adopting their own children. I hear there’s a ceremony involved, and Monica is pretty pumped about that. Alexis will wear her first Easter dress tomorrow for the trip. Christian and I really didn’t pack Easter worthy clothes. I guess our Under Armor shirts will have to do.

Here’s hoping that Alexis enjoys the plane ride. At least it’s a short one.