pearls and urinals

I'll bet you're wondering how those topics go together, right? Well, today we were scheduled, at least ladies were, to go to a wholesale pearl market in Guangzhou. Many have commented that it must be tough travelling as a "solo Dad" on a China adoption trip. Yes, it has had it's challenges, but really has not been that bad. However, I don't enjoy the shopping responsibility! I don't enjoy shopping; I don't enjoy bartering; and I'm mathematically challenged, so I have a hard time buying in Yuan, translating to dollars, and knowing if I got a good deal, or got hosed. Although my wife is also not a big shopper, she did send me to China with "the list"! She informed me that it was my responsibility to bring home some items that would represent my daughter's homeland, and "the list" has suggested items. The one item that she strongly recommended was pearls-- not for herself, but for Xiao Xiao when she gets older, possibly for her wedding.

And so, I, having absolutely no knowledge of pearls, boarded a bus of mostly ladies (and a few men who tagged along, but let their wives shop) and headed for the mall. Very overwhelming. So many choices! Size, color, quality, price... way out of my league! My strategy was to let some of the ladies shop first, see what they chose, and copy! I found several ladies shopping in a price range that I was comfortable with, narrowed it down to one mom who had a strand and a price I liked, and told the clerk, "I want the same as she has!" I then even got brave and picked out something for my wife. She said not to worry about getting her something, but several of the ladies translated that for me! Thanks for your help, ladies. I survived and I think she'll be proud. Xiao Xiao, when we someday give you these pearls, I hope you appreciate Daddy's effort!

these were but a few of the thousands, probably millions, to choose from!

We left there and went to an embroidery store and a store that sold CD's and DVD's. We were out long enough that Xiao Xiao started to squirm in her stroller in such a way that told me that I needed to find a "toilet", as the Chinese call them, very soon. We have not developed an advanced warning system for this yet, so I usually have little time. I asked our guide, and she directed me back to the mall building where we shopped for pearls. I raced the stroller back into the mall and followed the "toilet" signs to a dim hallway with a not-so-clean men's room. I grabbed her from the stroller and raced inside, hoping to beat the clock-- I could tell I had precious little time. To my horror, I found a Chinaman sitting in EVERY stall, and it did not appear that any were vacating soon enough to avoid the need for the dry clothes I always pack. Sooooo, I eyed.. you guessed it... the urinals... and, based on the odor of the room, I figured if she couldn't hit it, she wouldn't be the first! She's used toilets... she's used squatty's... she was undaunted by the urinal! Mission accomplished!

So, there you have it! Pearls and urinals... just another adventurous day in the life of a solo Dad and daughter in China!

large shopping area, Guangzhou, just outside the mall