Strolling in Guangzhou

Today Abby would not take a nap so we decided to try a ride in the stroller - her first ever I would imagine. The sidewalks here are actually stroller friendly and the stores even have ramps, unlike anywhere else we've been.
The area near the hotel where we are staying is quite charming. Little tree-lined walkways between the buildings which house shops full of touristy-type items and oodles of salespeople trying to entice people to come inside, "lady, come into my shop, you need some baby dresses?" They literally turn off the lights and sit outside and wait until a customer comes and then they run in and turn on the lights when you walk in. Since the adoption traffic has slowed down so much in the past few years business appears to be struggling a bit.
Throughout this area they have these adorable statues like the one above, cute kids doing various things. There is one of a little boy mailing a letter, a few small children following a lady playing a violin, and then there are others like photographers taking photos and what is up with this?? An non-Chinese looking couple, Dad taking photos, chubby Mom pushing the stroller, baby wearing souvenir Chinese necklace??? I won't take offense - but there is one right next to this one with a really chubby lady in a bathing suit and her dog. I might have to take offense if they're saying that is what we look like in bathing suits. ha ha
We stopped for lunch at the cafe outside the White Swan hotel. First 5 star hotel in China according to our guide. Many adoptive families stay at this hotel. Notice the guy in the background. He was a sweet little old man sifting through the garbage collecting every conceivable item - used and unused plastic silverware, napkins, plastic cups and bowls, you name it. He took my untouched soup (looked like muddy water with chicken parts in it) and set it down next to the garbage can. I even saw him take a receipt off of a tray and put it in his pocket. Sometimes it is easy to forget how good we have it until we see someone else who doesn't.









Our nap strategy worked!!!