Randomness

We really enjoyed the safari on Monday.  The rented stroller was a success as long as it was moving.  This safari is the largest zoo in China and has 10 pandas and even more koalas.  They also had several tiger species, not to mention a tiger nursery!  We spent 4 hours in the zoo plus an hour each way getting there.  It was nice to spend a day walking outdoors. 

When we got back we decided to attempt the McDonalds next door.  Did you know that cutting line is the norm in China?  Can you anticipate how well I took that when holding a hungry baby?  Then the bagger could not get our order right, and I will admit I got loud up in there.  The poor manager apologized when we finally got our order; I told Doug she was probably terrified of the American Amazon woman ;)

AnnHelen, who has already proven her love of hamburgers, was very excited to be given her very first chicken nugget and did what we now call her "ya ya dance".  Later when we Skyped, she was kind enough to demonstrate it for her audience.  She also showed off her wave, her no head shake, her patty cake, and at the very end of the call learned to blow kisses.  When we first logged on and said "there's your brother!" she shook her head no which got big laughs.  When we signed off I started checking my email, and she insisted to get back into my lap where she started waving at the computer.  So we used the opportunity to Skype with Sara also.  Skype is the bestest.

We had a free day today (Tuesday), so we went back to the pool.  Tonight we have a cruise on the Pearl River.  We really only signed up because there is nothing else to do.  We make multiple trips a day to the 7-11 that is right outside our hotel and to the Fresh Mart store in it.  When my appetite finally returned it did so with a desire for expensive Hagan Daas ice cream bars ;)  I also have drank a tremendous amount of Watson's ginger ale, which is way more ginger-y than our brands.

We watch a lot of lame HBO and, now that we are in Guangzhou, Discovery channel.  And my Kindle is the best thing ever invented.

AnnHelen is usually content to play on the bed with her toys, but she has started expanding her territory to the floor.  Today she fell and smacked her head on the floor, but she didn't cry.  She saves crying for manipulation and food.

Our hotel, China Hotel, is a Marriott hotel, and is one of the biggest I've ever stayed in.  There are lots of expensive shops in it, yet no souvenier shop (boo). 

Our room service lunch is about to be delivered.  Maybe I'll have something more interesting to post tomorrow.