Hotels on Shamian

 

There are two hotels in Guangzhou on Shamian Island that make their bread and butter off American adoptive families. The British built White Swan is the most popular. It is quite elaborate with a fancy swimming pool, a waterfall, waiters in black tie, jade statues, and a large play room sponsored by Mattel. Mattel also gives a special Barbie doll to each family who stays there. She is a regular blond Barbie carrying a Chinese baby. The French built Victory is quite nice but more plain and comfortable. It has larger rooms, soft beds, a modern crib, and drinkable tap water. There's no Barbie, but it's $300 cheaper. Of course, I had chosen to stay at the Victory.

When we arrived in Guangzhou, Jason met us, put us in a van, and said to check in at the White Swan. But wait! We have reservations at the Victory. Opps! Agency had made a mistake. Stay at the White Swan tonight and we'll work it out tomorrow. Upon check in, we were assigned a room on the executive floor at 'no extra charge.' Good thing since we had paid for the other hotel. So, one night in the White Swan was fun, but packing up to move the next day was not. We might be the only people to stay at both hotels in the same trip. We do have to walk a few blocks for every group meeting and outing takes place at the White Swan, but I would take the Victory over the White Swan anytime. You just don't know what a luxury it is to turn on the water and brush your teeth or take a drink without boiling it first. We are so spoiled in America. By the way, that one night in the White Swan got Annalyn the Barbie. Better warn the GI Joes, boys!

There are so many traditions surrounding lady bug adoption. One tradition involves setting all the new children on one of the many red couches at the White Swan and trying to get a photo without too many of them crying. Look! No tears! Not one babe in our group cried. Well, you can see Peyton slept through it, but no one cried. Aren't they all so beautiful?