Monday, November 06, 2006

Seeing the Sights on Shamian Island


A sign we saw in a park alongside the banks of the Pearl River. Although I had been tempted to spit a few times, after I saw the sign the fear of being "amerced" deterred me.

School kids on an outing. When they saw us they all shouted "Hello!" and then "Bye-Bye!"

An exercise park where young and old can stay physically fit.



Joey, Denny and Emma. Not sure why it has a green frame around it.




Apparently the Chinese and Utah pronunciations of "sale" are the same.





Emma anticipating lunch at Lucy's restaurant, wearing her Winnie the Pooh bib.






Mmmm....chicken congee!


The White Swan Hotel is located on Shamian Island. This is what Wikipedia has to say about Shamian Island: "Shamian Island, formerly known as Shameen Island, from its Cantonese pronunciation (Chinese: 沙面岛, pinyin: Shāmiàn dǎo) is an island in Guangzhou city, Guangdong province, China. It was originally a concession given to European and American traders operating in the Guangzhou area by the Qing Dynasty government in the 19th century. The island's name literally means "sandy face" in Chinese.

The island covers an area of 24,000 sq meters and is a gazetted historical area that serves as a tranquil reminder of the colonial European period, with quiet pedestrian avenues flanked by trees and lined by historical buildings in various states of upkeep. The island is the location of several hotels, a youth hostel, restaurants and tourist shops selling curios and souvenirs.
Various bronze statues are scattered around the island which depict life as it was during earlier periods on the island, as well as from more recent times. For example, one statute entitled "A gentleman, a lady and a darn woman" shows a Western couple watching a Chinese women darning cloth. Another depicts the changing appearances and stature of Chinese women, with a woman from colonial times in traditional clothing, a slightly taller woman from the early or mid 20th century wearing a cheongsam, and a relatively tall and slender young Chinese women wearing shorts and talking on a mobile phone.

Since the early 2000s, Shamian Island has become well known for the many Western couples who reside there while seeking to adopt Chinese babies and young children, most of whom are orphaned and female. The White Swan Hotel is perhaps the best-known hotel in Guangzhou, having been in operation for many years, and is usually the hotel of choice for these couples. One reason for this popularity is that the hotel was once adjacent to the United States consulate, making it convenient to file paperwork and handle bureaucratic matters. The consulate has since moved (about 40 minutes away by car), but the hotel is still the most popular destination for adopting couples."
Happy Election Day in the U.S. We're kind of glad we're missing the whole thing, frankly.
More later....
Denny


7 comments:

Julia Warren said...

I know this is going to sound weird, but all of these happenings has so thoroughly sunk into my subconscious that I've had two dreams this week that I am Chinese. I love all of your posts, Emma is adorable and bad English translations are endlessly entertaining. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the great posting. I can see you have already chosen the right bib - plastic - big, hopefully a catcher at the bottom for excess chinese cabbage (I thought of Emma yesterday when I had Chinese for lunch - steamed cabbage mmmmmmmmmm!) So you're on your way to perfect parenting -
Barbie -

Anonymous said...

Great pictures. When I get through with the one of the three of you, there won't be a green border. You all look like you're thoroughly enjoying this great adventure, especially Emma. Her smile is infectious.

andrea said...

Yeah--a picture of the whole family together. So cute! And I loved the warning sign. Unfortunately, I really need a sign like that in my house sometimes. I guess they make it for children like mine.

Anonymous said...

What is UP with this excessive spitting nonsense going on in foreign countries? In Paris there were signs everywhere for no spitting. Denny, these translations are hysterical. Whip out the camera whenever you see one. On sell. Ant.

How fun to feed your "baby bird" and keep her alive! Adorable pictures.

Oh, and Julia, I think I forgot to mention that we did briefly have a Chinese mailman when we were living in Houston around 1984-85......

(I'd better sign this one anonymous)

Ang said...

I had a Chinese dream, too! Not that I was Chinese . . . but there was a Chinese element to it (lots of Chinese people involved--but it was a couple of days ago so it's escaped into dream ether.) I can't stand how cute Emma is.
Angie

Anonymous said...

Joe - it looks like that Chinese food is agreeing with you. You look like you've dropped a few pounds. Maybe I should consider adopting a child from over there so I can go over and lose some weight. Can't wait for you to return! I saw a story on the news last night where a U of U bus hit a trax train. Sure hope Andy wasn't behind the wheel.