No trip to China is a trip without the full Wal Mart experience.  The crowds are quite impressive and the delicacy selections are amazing....we have chicken feet, grab what you would like; we have eel, again take what you want; we have alligator; meat that you just pick up and bag yourself - again, it is the way of life here.  Did I mention the crowd? It is slight madness.  Alas, we have been thankful to be within walking distance of Wal Mart during our stay in Guiyang.  We haven't had any problem obtaining water, baby supplies, toys and Snickers while we have been here.  Did I mention this particular Wal Mart is underground?  On top, there is a large open grass area where people fly kites daily - it is a sight to see and it is beautiful to see the kite display from our room.  

Yesterday we took a short walk over to a temple that is a symbol of Guiyang.  It was under renovation so we were unable to get a full tour but the walk was nice.  We were also able to get some good pictures of our hotel - it is the tall, slender building with the cone shaped top.  At the top of our hotel, there is a restaurant that offers spectacular views of the city in the evening.  The city is nothing short of New York....there are large screen tvs on every corner, there are lights on buildings that flash and sparkle with different light shows.  For anyone who may be traveling to Guiyang for an adoption, we highly recommend the Sheraton Guiyang.  It is a great area, there is an indoor pool that we have thoroughly enjoyed despite having to wear silly little booties to go in, there are cute shops all around, the staff is great - it has been a most wonderful stay here.  We laugh because if you ask a non-English speaking staff member a question and they don't understand then they immediately take you to someone who does speak English.  Last night at dinner, Colin was taken to three different people before it was understood that he was requesting parmesan cheese.  We all got a good laugh and we enjoyed the parmesan cheese.  On a different note, I took Maddox to a local children's shop yesterday to purchase a jacket for her.  The girls in the store do not speak English at all.  It was quite comical to try to ask them for sizes and prices....they even had a calculator that they would type in the price for me to see and I laughed because it translated the numbers into Spanish - doubt they got that.  In any case, I left and they were all in stitches laughing at the crazy, blonde American woman.    
Today is our last day in Guiyang.  In fact, we will check out at 3 and then make our way to the airport for our 6:15pm flight.  Please pray for safe travels for us to Guangzhou.  The children continue to do well.  Maddox has decided that maybe eating isn't so bad after all.  She does not eat a lot by any means but she is eating more.  Ryan calls her  "the bull in a China shop" as she is very curious and loves to explore.  When we give her the opportunity to walk, she gets down, spins around and takes off!  She is so sweet!  She is waving bye-bye and clapping a lot.  And she laughs all the time!  MK and the boys are taking it all in.  I think we are all going to enjoy a change of scenery in Guangzhou though our time in Guizhou has been quite memorable and special.  We have really enjoyed getting to know our travel buddy, Laura, and her daughter, Allison.  Allison reminds me so much of MK - she loves to eat, laughs a lot and loves to entertain!  The boys have especially enjoyed her.  

Prior to our Wal Mart journey, we walked over to a local coffee shop that is American owned.  It was nice to have a taste of home. We indulged in hot chocolate and coffee and enjoyed the downtime.  As we sat there talking, a bike road by and on the back was a basket full of live chickens.....then a cart full of all sorts of fruits.....then we observed the school children out and about during their noon break.....the little stand next to the shop was full of fresh produce and meat just sitting out waiting to be cut.....and babies playing in the alley.....the sights and sounds of Guiyang, my daughter's birthplace.....I am so thankful for our time here, for the experiences we have had, for the journeys we have taken and for the memories that we will be able to share with her one day.  Until later.....