Update!!

It is a beautiful day here in Guangzhou, probably about 25 degrees. We are in t-shirts and passing folks on the street in jackets. Our guide tells us that in the summer it is between 35 and 40 degrees.

Julianna eats anything and will be the least picky eater in the house. It really is quite interesting to watch as she shovels it in.

We had a lovely walk this morning Julianna travelled in the carrier we brought. She wasn't sure about it at first but after the first 5 minutes she was fine. We stopped at McDonalds for her first ice-cream cone and of course she loved it. And as soon as she was finished around she went behind ba ba (Daddy) to get on his back again.

We have of course drawn a little bit of attention as we walk about. Several folks have asked if she is a "China Baby" and when the response is yes this is met with approval and a thumbs up. Lots of smiles!

Across the street from our hotel is a park with exercise equipment and a green area where people work out and also congregate to sing and play instruments. Daily exercise seems to a natural part of the day here. Each piece of equipment works a different muscle group.

As you walk along the streets there are speciality shops of every kind. No shop sells the same item, there are shops for silk, electronics, wire, batteries and believe it or not christmas decorations etc. Many decorations, huge Christmas decorations, santas included. According to our guide Becky, who has been just wonderful, the younger generation having started celebrating Christmas. We even heard English christmas carols in the market yesterday. It is called Carrefours or Walmart and is on 3 levels.

Our hotel looks out on the Pearl River and has a wonderful view. Although the smog rather overshadows some of the scenery. Many of the locals wear masks to combat enhaling too much pollution. The spitting habit that was mentioned during the olympics is alive and well here. Although it could very well caused by the pollution.

I continue to try with great frustration to upload the pictures. The internet is working at a crawl here. Hopefully it will decide to work soon or Saturday will be the day of many pictures.