Friday

Friday we pretty much sat around the hotel room. Our flight wasn't until 6:30 (and was delayed an hour), and our guide was able to go to Civil Affairs to pick up the final paperwork without us. Amanda was a bit stubborn before breakfast because she wanted some gum. I decided to let her have it just so we wouldn't start out the day with a tantrum. After breakfast the girls were running and jumping around in the room. Anna came over and gave me a big bear hug and Amanda came over and hugged us both. A little bit later, she came to me on her own and gave me the biggest, tightest hug. It was everything I could do not to cry. She's definitely starting to come around to me.

But then around 11:00, she wanted something - I suspected from the minibar, but we had apple juice, grape juice and water that we couldn't take with us on the plane, so I said no. She got her sullen look then started to cry. I let her stand there for awhile, then picked her up and sat on the bed holding her and trying to let her cry it out. Eventually that led to a 1 hour and 15 minute tantrum. I think the communication barrier is much harder for her than for us. I started talking and throwing in a little of my limited Mandarin. She kept yelling at me every time I started talking. Whether she was yelling at me to "stop talking" or to "shut up", I'm not sure, but the sentiment was the same. I kept telling her Boo, No. I know it's hard, but I'm the mom and I can talk when I want to. Finally, she fell asleep, but then housekeeping, and then our guide came and she only slept for 15 minutes. Then our guide gave her a long lecture and then explained the rest of the day's plans to her.

She actually loved the airplane ride, totally got that we were flying in the air. I got a shaking peace sign with both hands. There was a little crying when Anna wouldn't give her something she wanted for supper and I wouldn't let her have the nutty treats until after she ate some of her meal. When we got to the hotel room she wouldn't go inside, but I think the way she ran in later and laughed, that she was trying to kid us. So now we're at the White Swan. Still over rated in my book. Small sink area and you have to pay for internet access here - it was free in the other hotels. They put a crib/toddler bed in our room. Jessica wanted to sleep in it, but not Amanda. She opted to sleep on a blanket on the floor between the 2 beds. No pictures today.