- The strange stares we got as laowais (foreigners). We only saw a few other foreigners all day and we probably gave them that strange look too.
- A group of nine-year-old boys screaming "hayy-loooo" and "good morning" to us this afternoon.
- The excitement in the city about getting their first McDonalds soon.
- The sidewalks with ill-fitting tiles that threaten to splash you as you walk or trip you into an uncovered manhole.
- People hawking loogies and spitting everywhere. Monica caught Anna and I doing it too . . . seems to be catching.
- Everyone smokes. Even our non-smoking hotel floor smells of smoke.
- Pathetic English names for stores. Like "Holy Eagle," "Most," and "Cowboy Eastern."
Alas, we did find respite in a newly opened Starbucks and enjoyed a toffee nut latte there.
Tomorrow is gotcha day. We get Lydia at 3:30 pm. We have that nervous excitement you feel before a first date. But this isn't a date and she will be part of our family forever after tomorrow. Will she be sad, scared, confused? How long will it take for her to attach to us: hours, days, weeks, months? Where will she sleep in our hotel room? What will she think of Anna? What will she eat?
She will be with us in less than 24 hours and some of these questions will be answered. We will post some pictures here.