She spoke very well and had a good grasp of the language. She was fascinated by the fact that this was our third child- something unheard of outside minority groups (who are allowed to have multiple children) or the rich who can pay the $30,000 dollar fine. The visa photo went off without a hitch- Olivia was a little angel- some kids threw a bloody fit to have theirs taken.
Next it was on to the Physical. As predictted Olivia was none too pleased to be there. We were herded through several differnet stations like cattle. We kept her in the stroller as much as possible because she is much calmer there. If she's out of the stroller she wants to be down exploring!! Not something I would recommend in most places here in China. I couldn't resist a picture underneath the chinese doctor sign.
It was a very simple questionare & physical. I tried to strike up a conversatin wiht the doctors but they were very abrupt and not personal at all. One of the questions asked if she had been sick in the time since we had gotten her. I only acknowledged a runny nose. Technically- I never took her temperature & she is better now- so I didn't want to say/do anything that would get her denied her Visa to the USA! She had a nasty blow out diaper from the zithromax while she was there- I thought sure they would question further- but praise God they didn't! If asked point blank if she had a fever last week- I would have had to say yes & admit to the Zithromax use. She is up to a whopping 18 pounds and 28.5 inches- needless to say she is still tiny!
FOr lunch we were grateful to find a Subway- although we starting laughing when we went to order. A Subway isn't the same without ANY fresh veggies- like lettuce/tomatoes on it! Buying meal here has been a challenge. We made the mistake of having lunch at the "Coffee shop" at the White swan. Coffee shop sounds inexpensive, right? Wrong- it cost us over $100 US dollars to eat 2 sandwichws , 2 soups, 3 waters & and a baby Congee! We won't be eating there again outside of the freebie breakfast buffet!
Dinner was even more interesting. We knew the hotel chinese restaurant was even more expensive than the lunch prices- so we asked our guide where a good Chinese restaurant was. She recomended J M Chef- a local place. Mistake #1- Never ask a chinese National where a good place to eat is. Mistake # 2- our guide said- All the restaurants on the island speak good english- our waiter understood NO english. Mistake # 3- never eat if you are the only white person in the room. The menu had no recognizable chinese dishes on it- instead it had delectable entrees like sea cucumber, water beetles & some maggot like item- and that was the recognizable things! Apparently they waste no part of anything over here! Most things we didn't know you could even eat! We did eventually order though a manager who spoke some english & got some Fried noodles, Sweet & sour chicken & pork. The food ws excellent at the end- and 7 of us ate for 1/2 the cost of our lunch at the White Swan!
We all took a short walk around the isand afterwards. And bullseye- I found Starbucks! It was too late to partake tonight but tomorrow- I am there!!!
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