Guangzhou Day 2

Today was a full day. Got up early and went to breakfast. MMMM. So good. There is so much to choose from and it's all delicious.

We met in the lobby at 9 AM for tours. First we went to a famous Buddhist temple. People were there praying and would leave little treat such as grapes, peanuts, and a mystery fruit.

Next we went to the Chen Family Pottery House. Apparently Chen is the most common surname in China. It's pronounced 'chan.' I had a scroll made for my parents here.

Next we went to a ceramic market. I got several gifts here. I regret not getting a tea set. There were some beautiful teapots there.

For dinner we walked to a restaurant called Macau Street. I wore a little sign aorund my neck that said "I am alergic to seafood." I am not actually allergic to seafood but I only eat fish, no other seafood and I was not planning on eating any seafood in China. One of the dishes has seafood in it even though they swore there was none in there. A woman at my table actually was allergic to seafood and she had to take some medicine so she wouldn't get sick. After much gesturing and ill communication they brought out a noodle dish to replace it and it was delicious! After dinner we walked back to the hotel. I watched my Chinese soap opera while taking a bath (hey I could see the tv from the bath tub!) and fell right to sleep. I have heard people complain about the beds in China being hard and uncomfortable but each hotel I have stayed in had super comfortable beds with nice linens. Perhaps it helps that someone comes every morning to make that bed for me.

Guangzhou, Guangdong Province

Today we flew from Zhengzhou to Guangzhou. This was a tough flight. I was sitting next to the dad in our group that came alone. His wife is 8 months pregnant so she stayed home. I didn't get sick on this flight and the food they gave us was delicious (China Southern Airlines) but Sawyer (son of dad on his own) was not feeling it. I am sure this was his first time on an airplane and he screamed for most of the flight. I kept handing him things in my carry on bag- fruit leather, crackers, calculator, neck pillow, book mark, post card, paper, mirror, hair brush. These items would hold his attention for about two minutes before he threw them on the floor and screamed. I wished I had a sucker to give him. We arrived and were intercepted by Jocelyn and Maggie (not their Chinese names). We were all a little delirious when we got off the plane and unfortunately we had a long ways to walk to get to our luggage and bus. A. long. way. When we walked outside the heat and humidity was almost unbearable. I felt like I couldn't breathe. We all peeled off our sweaters and jackets and hoofed it to the bus. We arrived at the Marriott (The China Hotel)  and it was beautiful. It was fancy and very busy. Jocelyn had given us coupons for Papa John's and told us that they deliver by bicycle to the hotel if we wanted to order for dinner come to her room and she would place the order. I got settled in my room, which was beautiful and overlooking the pool. I was on the 7th floor and the pool was on the 4th floor. I did order Papa John's pizza for dinner and it was pretty close to back home, complete with the peppers and garlic butter. There were some crazy flavors available like "Mexican Ole" and "Seafood" but I stuck to pepperoni. I ate with with another family and hung out in their room for a while. We walked to a 7 Eleven near the hotel as they wanted coca cola and I got some water. I noticed some Lays chips flavors not available in USA- Italian meat flavor, cucumber, and chicken. Good thing I brought my own snacks because none of those flavors sounded like a good idea. Can't wait to tour Guangzhou tomorrow! It's the city of flowers!


Airport in Zhengzhou



Maggie

The China Hotel bathroom looking into bedroom