Where I pretty much desperatly need to be right now.
We had an ok day. The group therapy is still proving to save my sanity & I think I made it through the day without tears. No wait- scratch that.. dinner I cried a bit. (it was therapy cry- another adoptive mom letting me give voice to my feelings- again- THANK YOU JILL).
Morning we had another excellent breakfast. I put chocolate on my waffles and it was about the best thing ever.
Then we were to meet up at 9:30 with our group to travel to Safari World. Or- since I"m trying to get to my happy place and relate everything back to Disney- Animal Kindom. In August. With Christmas Breaks Crowds (cue Forbidden City last Sunday but not QUITE as crowded. Maybe 700 million people vs 900 million).
A long bus ride we arrived. It was oh. so. hot. 96 degrees with about 90% humidity. HOT.
Our group at Safari World minus one family with a small baby who chose to forgo the outing (wise decision).
The things we saw at this park are things you would not see in the US.
Like freely roaming lemurs.
And totally the complete 'Safari World' touring outfit.
Clearly I missed the dress code policy. In my tank top and 'slippers'!
Charlie showed about zero interest in anything. This is the most we got out of her. And this lasted about one nanosecond. And I think she was staring at the fence. Not the elephant.
You could ride the elephants. And the coolest little 9 year old ever- Miller - who's here helping adopt his brother Gus- rode with his Dad. The worker told his dad "oh, you larger than most people".
Miller (rocking an ever-so-cool Cubs hat, btw!) and his dad liked retelling that story!
From there, we followed the mass crowds in the mass heat to see these:
After all, when in China.. one must see an Panda, correct?
(Even if it means seeing one with pushing, shoving Chinese tourists who really (REALLY) don't believe in personal space- for one- nano-second).
So there you go. Ever so active Chinese Pandas....
They were effin' hot too! I don't blame them one bit.
We also saw cute little baby ones...
Awww.
Oh, another appropriatly dressed Safari tourist....
From here we went to this really not so great 'lion show'.
It was a stadium of about half of China population. In 100 degree heat. And I'd like to say we were enjoying the show...BUT...
We were too busy watching the progression of pee.
Becasue some little girl had to go. And you know what, when in China- even in a packed stadium- if you are little & you have to go. You just pull your pants down and go. And this girl did, directly behind us. And the pee traveled it's way to us.
This is what Charlie AND us thought of that shiz.......
I was pretty much D.O.N.E at this point. Only we had like 3 more hours left. Ugg.
Making friends with Essie....
No really- she was checking out Essie's juice box.
They have matching Walmart Chinese strollers. (one pink, one red!)
Somewhere in there we were shoved along into Koala's. They were cute, but mostly we were too hot to care.
About the only smile from the Safari World- when she got her meat on a stick. It's all about the food. And the girl likes her meat!
They have ths same 'safari trek' as Animal Kingdom. On your way down...
They need a better English translator before printing up those signs.
Finally (oh, so finally) we got back on the bus (air!!) and she fell asleep for a wee bit.
Back at the hotel we decided to all gather in 1/2 hour for dinner - local Mexican. Yup. We did.
So another big group went to Tekila (yes, spelled that way) for a VERY good dinner. More good therapy.
Little Miss had a meltdown. I might have cried a bit. But then Essie started laughing & that made Charlie laugh. And she turned around.
We went back to the hotel to try out the pool.
Little Miss all ready for her first swim!
She did really good & it was pretty cool watching her watch her hands and feet as they went through the water.
She clung to me but also splashed, giggled and laughed a bit.
We came back, changed, had the horrible screaming toothbrushing.... then the horrible screaming bed.
And I'm about done too.
Tomorrow is back to the medical to check her TB. Then some shopping at Shamain Island. In a group again.
Thank GOD for this group!
Off to bed.
This fashionista is impressed with Safari World footwear! (Must remember next trip to AK.) So glad you are finding some support with your new group- you're in the home stretch.
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