One Crazy and Amazing Day

One Crazy and Amazing Day
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Wow what a day. We had Emma's visa photo taken. Then we visited a river front park and watched everyone do their exercises and dances. We are staying on Shamian Island which is very small, about 44 acres. There are plenty of shops right outside the hotel. It's funny because all of the shops have American names and everyone speaks pretty good English. It was because of this, that I had the idea today to venture away from what I thought were the tourist traps. I didn't want to pay and arm and a leg for stuff that we could find super cheap off the island. So we walked our way off the island and found ourselves in the middle of craziness. Good craziness. We had walked ourselves off the little map we had been given and just about anywhere we were going was NOT in the travel book we brought. I had seen somewhere that there was a free market. So I thought this may be a good place tostart on the souviners we still haven't bought. Well let me tell ya.....the free market was referring to the market where they sell meat. Oh you know things like dog, goats, pretty much anything with 4 legs. Actually our guide in Nanchang said "watch out when you go to Guangzhou, Cantonese like to eat anything with 4 legs...anything expect for tables and chairs." Whoa was he right. Due to some construction we ended up take a detour. The smell from our detour could have gagged a maggot. I was filming the entire time trying not to throw up. By the end of our detour we both had knots in our stomachs and I had a huge lump in my throat. I finally looked down to see what was making me want to loose my breakfast.....snakes, turtles, fish, frogs, eels...you name it...it was alive and squirming. Later down the street, I did see dead goats hanging out in the street and another "unknown" animal. Later Phil informed me that it was Fido. Yup....a dog. We never really did find what we were looking for. Later as we were on our "adventure", we found puppies, mice, rabbits, kittens and fish all for sale. I felt much better once I looked up and saw animal stores to go with these "pets". You could buy a puppy, leash, food and a puppy sweater all at the same place...out in the middle of the street. We really didn't stop much to take snap shots, but I kept the camera rollin'. So back to Shamian Island for more paperwork. It's funny because all the "stuff" that they sell on Shamian Island is catered to what we want to buy. The cute little silk outfits, chops, pictures..blah blah blah. It's all right here....not on the mainland with the dead goats. So tomorrow I plan to buy our "stuff" right outside the hotel..just like everyone else. We went out for Thai tonight and it was great. Later we took Emma for a night stroll along the Pearl River in the park. We love Guangzhou....it's real pretty and has many comforts of home. Emma is still a wonderful child. Oh ya...today after breaking my wrist with more paperwork, I came "home" to Emma answering the door. Phil opened the door and stuck her cute face out and said I couldn't come in. I laughed so hard I thought I would wet myself...guess you had to be there. For anyone coming to Guangzhou...go off the beaten path. It may be the worst smell ever, but it's something you'll never forget.