Day 11 - Guangzhou Zoo

Today our whole group (all 11 families) set off to see the Guangzhou Zoo - in the misty/drizzling rain! Our group has gotten so big now that we need a bus and an 11-passenger van to haul everyone around. Our immediate group of eight and one other family of five rode in the van with Mr. Zhou's assistant, Jason. (Children ride on their parents laps here - this ought to make for a fun transition into the car seat when we get back to the states!) Jason was very nice and informative. He told us that the people from Guangzhou are very tough and will eat anything that flies except airplanes and anything with four legs except tables and chairs. He is originally from the Hun an Provence and he told us that he only eats normal things, not crazy stuff! He also told us that many young couples come to Guangzhou to get their bridal photos done here because it's so picturesque. He said that on the day of the wedding, there is a banquet after the ceremony and the bride and groom will get drunk and they don't want any photos of themselves this way, so they wait 1-2 months after the wedding day to take their photos. We've already seen at least 1/2 dozen to a dozen couples in the few short days we've been here!

The zoo was pretty nice, I even found my nephew Aidan hanging around waiting to see Zachy-man! See if you can find him hiding below!!! :) (We love and miss you! Say hi to Finley and Emily for us!) They had everything at this zoo from lions, tigers & bears (oh my!) to coypu (looked like they are from the rat family), zebras, camels (with humps that were drooped over) and of course the ever popular Pomeranian Puppies!? Plus we got to see one tiny panda while we were there as well. I think it would have been even more enjoyable if the weather had cooperated!

Aidan waiting to pop out and scare us! :)  (or is it Sophie?!! - say hi to Ivy for us too!)

Zachary and Caitlin checking out the lion!

Posing for a photo!!

Mommy and Zachary in front of the beautiful bamboo.

Zachary acting silly with his buddy Thatcher and the elephant!!

Granpa, Nana Zachary and Me on our way out of the zoo.

After we go back from the zoo we headed around the corner to the Cow and Bridge Thai Restaurant with three other families. The food was good, but unfortunately we haven't been able to sit down and enjoy a meal the whole time we've been here! Caitlin doesn't particularly like sitting for more than, oh let's say 2 seconds!!!! I have a feeling she's our "Aidan" :) We keep warning her that she's in for a rude awakening when we get home! It is so hard to set rules and enforce them as there is no consitstency in our days here! I can't wait to get home and establish a routine again as well as eat some fresh fruit and vegetables!

While Cailtin was napping, Nana and I went out shopping for a couple hours. Come to find out, she never actually fell asleep - oops! So, it ended up being playtime for Daddy, Zachary and Caitlin! Once we got back from shopping, we headed back down to the palyroom for some fun!

Caitlin and her new friend Molly from Midland, Michigan (which is the next town over from Noah's Grandpa's cottage!! Unbelievable!!

Dinner was low key (sandwiches and leftovers) and in our rooms tonight, I just couldn't handle another meal in a restaurant today!!

Chowin' down some cold pizza with my big brother in the hall way to no where!!

Zachary is a sleepwear fashion expert and he tells me that it's the new look for fall!

Another great day is over and we have no where to be early in the morning, so Zachary asked if he could "sleep in for the whole day tomorrow"?! I'm with you buddy, that sounds great! The only appointment we have tomorrow is set for 3:00 pm - Caitlin's medical exam, which I hope goes pretty smoothly and is a breeze!

More tomorrow... Only a few more days until we head home!!!!