Gotcha Day Countdown

We have been up since 2:00 am, can't sleep knowing Makaio is ours soon. Today we had our first breakfast at the White Swan Hotel. This place is awesome and famous among Americans because this is the last stop on your way home with your adopted baby. The American Consulate is here in Guangzhou and almost all families stay here. The one thing that we noticed at breakfast that was shockingly different than the last time was that there are so many Chinese people vs. Americans. Last time the entire restaurant was nothing but adoptive families from the US. Today, there was maybe four and most asked if we just adopted Keilani. It is quite obvious the effects of the slow down in international adoption and the economy on Shamian Island. A lot of the shops that were here before all gone and locked up. Things are alot more expensive too. We were happy to find a Starbucks that was only one block away!

We met our guide Kelly in the lobby at 9:00 am to go the Bank of China to exchange our money to Chinese Yuan. Since the dollar is doing so poorly now, they don't want American money. It was quite a process and much like going to the DMV:

1. Walk in past the armed guard
2. Fill out paperwork
3. Take a number
4. Make your way to the bullet proof glass teller

Once we were up there we noticed the teller picture on the outside of the glass. Next to it was three buttons that you could select. We had plenty of time to notice all the quirky stuff as he was finely examining our money to ensure it was not conterfeit. Just an assumption, but don't they make counterfeit money pens here??? Wouldn't that be easier? Anyway, the three buttons to choose from were:

1. Satisfied
2. Inadequate
3. Dissatisfied

Can you imagine if that was in front of you every time you helped someone? Matt pushed Satisfied before he was done with our money hoping that he wouldn't reject any bills =)

The other odd thing here that I had forgotten from before is how they LOVE their red stamps. All receipts get some sort of official red stamp, some two. Guess it makes everything they do extra special.

So one piece of information we received from Kelly during our lengthy money inspection, is that she saw Makaio one week earlier. She informed us that they had already started the casting on him and requested that we not let him walk since they are removing the cast right before they leave to bring him to us. I had heard of this happening to other families, but why did they wait so long to start? She also told us how smart he is =) Just cannot wait to hold him our arms!!!

Signing off for now, in two and half hours, he's all ours!

Love,
Matt, Tami, and Keilani....family of three for the last time