Food, Shopping, etc.

Breakfast at our hotel was interesting this morning. At first we kinda panicked because most of the food we would never touch at breakfast.. vegetable-stuffed dumplings, congee, olives, cucumbers, seafood of all kinds, noodles, greens, hot milk (Michael gagged at that one! ha ha) and hot soy milk. But we did manage to find some sausage that tasted like hot dogs, bread that we made toast of, cereal, and a hotel employee that cooked eggs (but not the way you asked for them). It ended up being pretty good after all and we left full.

Oh! I almost forgot to tell about our dinner last night. We ate here in the hotel restaurant and I again ordered beef noodles since my stomach still hasn't quite adjusted to the jet lag, lack of sleep, new country etc. Well, my noodles tasted like something between black licorice and soap and even though I was starving, I only ate a few bites. Daddy, I just want you to know that I am a daughter after your own heart. Thank goodness I brought some instant grits and that was my life saver after we got back to our room! For all of you out there who have yet to travel, take less clothes and more food! You can always buy more clothes after you get here!

Everything is so different here. Today we have been on our own and the communication is difficult. We went grocery shopping at a little store underground and found all sorts of interesting things. Every aisle had about 3-4 employees just chomping at the bits to help us. I tried to ask for Eucerin face cream to replace what was confiscated during our last flight in China and the commotion that ensued was entertaining but not very funny. We were both a nervous wreck by the time we left but managed to find diet Coke, apple juice, and bottled water. On the walk back to our hotel, we passed a music store that had Bryan Adams' "Everything I Do" blasting on their sound system. We were soooooo glad to hear something -- anything in English!!!! It makes us both know just how difficult the days ahead will be for Abby as she leaves everything that is familiar to her. Please be praying for our little one over the next few days as she makes this transition to her forever family.