the one with the random update

We left Changsha by train.  I didn't really take pictures there. train boarding is super fast and not a lot of time.  oh and there is NO english in the train station!  the only thing recognizable is the numbers!  our guide could not come with us past security (which is super lax...a metal detector) so she told us what gate and we waited til they put our number up and then went in.  but we ended up at the wrong end of the train. we got first class seats for the extra room, it is less then an economy plane ticket!  but we ended up having to run to the opposite end of the train. finally made it on and still no one speaks english.  well, unless you count the Indian men in the row up from us.  they seemed to speak several languages.

so drink and food service we just passed by, not really knowing what it was or if it was free.I had wanted to take the train because, first of all...I HATE flying! and because I thought it would be a good chance to see some countryside and not just the big cities.  well, I had not anticipated leaving so late.  our train left at 5:42pm and so within an hour it was too dark to see.  we did see some pretty countryside and some large mountains.  and I think it might have been a bit less smoggy, but it was raining and foggy...so hard to tell :)

but Sarah loved the train.  she stared out the window the whole time.  it could have just been she was trying to ignore me.  she kept trying to get brendan to switch places with me so he would be by her.  and everytime I touched her she was angry and mumbled what I can only assume were profanities under her breathe.

this is hard. this is so, so hard.  I am trying not to take it personally...but I am human, and when you are rejected and yelled at and hit...it wears on you.  I want to love her...it is hard right now. just when I see a glimmer of hope...she holds my hand on the way to the bathroom...she shoves me away as soon as we are done and grabs brendan.

jordan and megan have been great!  they are so patient with her.  and they try to hug on me and tell me they love me, partly to make me feel better I think, and partly to show her I am not the wicked witch she thinks I am.

so we got in to Guangzhou late last night and pretty much went straight to bed.

this morning first thing we went to do her medical check.  to get a US visa she has to do a medical check to see she isn't bringing any comunicable disease into the US.  the big one is the TB test.  she was fine, came out all smiles.I will say she held my hand a few times at the clinic by herself. progress?  I hate to hope. I actually a little bit hoped she would cry for the TB test so I could comfort her...I thought it might help our bonding.  But no tears and we were in and out quickly.  my advice...go early!!  we were first in and first out.

We came back to the hotel, found a 7-11 for some water, and a pizza hut for lunch and now will be going swimming I think!

after swimming we went to Paddy's Field, an irish pub, for dinner.  we were looking for a hot pot restaurant our guide had said was there, but for the second time it was nowhere to be found. food was great!  but very expensive.

so, about ready to skype home...good night! tomorrow is the safari park!

here are a few random pictures from changsha....I got no pictures of the medical clinic!  I can't believe it!

at the Dolton hotel in Changsha this bell hop was very enthusiastic and excited, all the time!  so brendan wanted to take his picture.  after I took this he pulled jordan in and handed me his phone to take a picture.  the woman at the front desk said he was the star of their hotel :)

so this bird statue was in our hall way on the way to out room.  on the first night we arrived, jordan and megan said "hola paco" and so it became a thing we did when walking to or from our room every day. so after one day of having sarah, she says hola paco!so funny!  her first non chinese words...and it's spanish! LOL

at one point we were getting ready to leave and had some time to kill so these two fell asleep :)