Guangzhou Zoo

Hey Everyone! Today is Tuesday and we're definitely starting to feel the "itch" to return home. Three and a half days and we'll be on the plane. Fortunately, we have the momentous occasion of my birthday tomorrow to break up the monotony...a little. As I've said before, I have spent my birthday in much worse places than China. We had a very interesting evening out last night. Samson (who you're hearing so much about because our other guide, Wayne, was sick and in the hospital) took us out for some authentic Cantonese fare. As you may know, Cantonese cuisine is known for eating virtually ANYTHING, and that was certainly evident. Upon entering the restaurant, there are tubs and tubs of things like worms, scorpions and giant black beetles. I made a comment like "oh yummy, beetles!" Claire (my "try anything" girl) looked at me and said "are they good, mommy?" Tough question. I've never been known as a afficionado of eating new foods, so I'll admit I did more observing than actual eating, all while nursing my Cantonese beer. The others worked their way through a variety of courses, most fairly tame, but some very interesting. Claire, Tony, Sam, and Sydney (Joe was sleeping, again) tried some pigeon, spicy squid, and radish pie. Samson asked us to save the pigeon heads for him - not a problem. This morning, again very chilly, we bundled up and headed off to the Guangzhou Zoo. Parts were very pretty and we saw some cool elephants, giraffes, tigers, and one sort of depressed-looking panda. Meanwhile a few people from our group headed down to the Yangdong orphanage where the five younger babies are from. Jim Walker went with the group. Be sure to see the adorable photo of Jim and Marcy's daughter, Anna, posted to the blog here. She has the brightest eyes I've ever seen. Also posted today is a photo of Sydney in front of the camel area. She's so thin, I was afraid she might slip through the bars, but fortunately her head prevented her from going through! She really did love the camels. Oh, my other amusing story for today involves Joe and Sydney on the bus to the zoo. He kept rattling on to her about how wonderful America is, i.e., "there are 999 channels instead of three; there are cheeseburgers as far as the eye can see, etc." Finally she turned to him and deliberate stuck her fingers in her ears. Enough said, literally. That's all that's new for today. We miss you all and are counting the days until we come home! K, T, J, S, C, and S