6 Feb 2007: Homeward Bound!

Our last day in Guangzhou and China has dawned. It has been an incredible and exhilerating journey, first and foremost because of the addition of AiLi to our family, but also because of the amazing opportunity we’ve had to experience three fascinating areas of this vast, energized and exciting country.

Since arriving in Guangzhou late Friday evening, AiLi has been blessed by a monk at the Temple of the Six Banyans; we’ve taken a sunset dinner cruise on the Pearl River, the buildings on the shore lit with spectacular brilliance; heard Chinese opera sung under the bridge leading to the hotel, with accompaniment by traditional instruments; and shopped till we dropped at the Pearl Market and area stores and street stalls, of which there are thousands, if not millions.

Most important, all of AiLi’s US visa processing has been completed. She will become an official American citizen as soon as she passes through Immigration and Customs in Chicago at 11:44 a.m. Central Time on Wednesday, February 7.

Though we leave China with some regret and a firm intention to return, we are all looking forward to getting home, sharing our pictures, observations and memories with all of you, and, most important, introducing you to our darling AiLi, who is everyday growing, blossoming and becoming Ira and Karen’s daughter.

Auntie Susan