Daddy Diaries: Day Fifteen

We are on the homestretch. Today, we got up early and went to the American Consulate to apply for Alexis’s Visa. Sadly, they wouldn’t let us take any electronics with us, so we didn’t get to take any pictures. Happily, the entire process took less than 30 minutes. If all goes as planned, the Visa is picked up tomorrow and returned to us. It’s the last step before we pack our bags to fly back to Texas.

We spent the afternoon shopping at Shaiman Island. It’s not really an island. It’s the shoreline next to the White Swan hotel and the Pearl River. It’s also the place you go to find the best prices on the same stuff everyone else sells.

Our short taxi ride to Shaiman Island placed us at the entrance of the shoreline park. We were immediately drawn into the groups playing what looked like hackey sack. As we got closer, we realized a few things: 1. it wasn’t a hackey sack but something more like a badminton birdie weighted to react like a hackey sack, and 2. everyone in the park playing the game was old….and very athletic. It was intimidating. We stepped in and played a little. In the end, we bought a few of them. The lady who was selling them showed us how to play and was also the person who made them. It was impressive.  You’ll have to check out the video in the DropBox for April 24th. YouTube is blocked, so no embeds for me here. 🙁

Photo Apr 24, 11 07 14 AMPhoto Apr 24, 11 03 32 AM

Shaiman Island is the one place Christian has been waiting for the most. He wanted to make a deal on something. He had a few things in mind, but he was willing to negotiate on anything at that point.

And negotiate he did. He found a calabash instrument and a North Face backpack. He paid something like $165 yuan ($26 USD) for the calabash with the case. It was the same as the one that was $280 Yuan ($45 USD) at the museum. The woman in the shop had to come outside and tell Monica and me how great a negotiator he was. She said, “He’s tough dealer.” Then she told us we should be proud and her daughter was the same way. Her young daughter makes money babysitting, and she considers every purchase as to how many hours she has to work to pay for it to decide it’s worth. Christian stood there and smiled at the praise he was getting from her, but he was ready for the next deal. If nothing else, he has practiced the arts of math, communication, and business skills quite a bit on this trip. He was always converting Yuan to USD in his head during his conversations with the vendors. He wouldn’t make a move until he had it in his head like he wanted it. He was even walking away from deals for a single Yuan, roughly equal to sixteen cents.

Photo Apr 24, 10 16 03 AMAnother of his prized purchases is his new North Face backpack. One dealer had it for $380 Yuan ($61 USD). Thats a pretty good deal for a North Face backpack, but it wasn’t good enough for him. He walked away with it for $132 Yuan ($21 USD). It made me want to grab one and let him deal for me. Keep in mind, Monica and I stayed away from everything he did with these deals. He was mono a mono. He only came to us when he was ready to get cash to pay. I so honor that trait in him to be strong and confident enough to do this on his own with adults, not even taking into account the language barrier. The kid knew what he wanted and went for it. Even Monica was bummed she didn’t let him negotiate for some thimbles she bought for a family member or a shirt she bought for Alexis. At the rate he was going, they might have paid him to take the things and leave the store.

Screen Shot 2014-04-24 at 9.48.50 PMAfter our lunch and nap, we met the other family we are grouped with here in Gungzhou for the traditional picture. While the picture use to be on a red couch, that hotel is under remodeling right now. So, we used the next best thing: the reddish staircase in the lobby. (Red is the color for lucky in life.) Then we followed it up with Monica and Christian putting on their traditional Chinese clothing they purchased and got a few pictures of them, too. My beautiful family. Screen Shot 2014-04-24 at 9.52.12 PM

Anyway, I need my sleep now. We go to the zoo tomorrow, maybe do a little more shopping, and pack for our trip home. That last part is what I’m looking forward to the most. It’s time.

9 thoughts on “Daddy Diaries: Day Fifteen

  1. Such a beautiful picture and an even more beautiful family.

    Thank you for sharing. Rest my friend.

  2. To Monica, Scott, Christian and Alexis,

    I’ve been reading every post, anxiously awaiting the next. I’ve looked at all the pictures. I’m truly fascinated by your journey. And each time, I’ve wanted to say something but I just don’t seem to be able to come up with the right words. But since your trip (not your journey) is nearing its end, I’ll give it my best shot.

    Scott, you know that before you left, I wanted to be sure I knew how to follow you and your family on this life-changing adventure. I knew it was important to me, but I didn’t really know why until now. I don’t know that I would be able to take the leap of faith that you all have done, but I am inspired by it. And that, I believe, is why I have been so interested. I can’t say how much I respect and admire what all 4 of you are doing.

    It has been a privilege getting to know you better through this Scott, and really getting to know more about your family. I especially enjoyed the posts about Christian’s negotiating skills. Scott, you know me well enough to know why I enjoyed those stories. I hope that I get to meet Alexis in the near future, maybe at summer retreat. I suspect that if she’s not there, you might have some explaining to do to about 25 board members.

    David

  3. This has become the book I simply can’t put down. Rest well. Travel safe. Keep the updates coming 😀

  4. Very traditional picture! Thank you for sharing! I have enjoyed your journey with you. Praising God right now for all He has done for you and your new family!

  5. I wondered if you had really been following along. I do know why you appreciate his negotiating skills. Maybe I can lease him out to TCEA on some of the new building contracts in the future. The kid’s got game.

    The only thing that will stop them from being at retreat is a surgery or a recovery from one. We will know more about that schedule over the next three or four weeks. I’m guessing that if she doesn’t come with me, there’s no need in me even attending.

    Thanks again for your friendship, David. It means a lot that you’ve been keeping up with us. Clear the weather and rods in Houston for us. We’re heading home soon.

  6. I have to say, my wife looks pretty hot in that dress she bought. Thinking I need to go buy her some more tomorrow before we leave. Every time I look at the traditional outfits for men, I think I need a pipe and a good book to read while wearing it. I don’t smoke, so that’s out. Who knows? Maybe I end up with something regardless. I may let Christian do some more haggling before we leave. I may want it next year during Chinese New Year’s.

  7. So enjoying your posts and you have me hanging on every detail, every experience and every photo. So excited for all of the opportunities and experiences you are having. I am very proud of Christian and his ability to negotiate his purchases–no doubt the kid knows what he wants. You guys need to pay attention; you might learn his tricks of the trade.
    On another note, love the family photo and I really like the one of the Monica, Christian and Alexis in traditional dress. You must purchase a traditional piece for yourself and have the entire family photographed. And, you are right–Monica looks beautiful in her gown. Again, opinion–but I agree.
    Take care friends and we too, are ready for your return trip home. It’s time for our traditional lunch/working meeting with you in attendance. SO READY TO SEE THE FLOYD FAMILY FACE TO FACE.

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