Bella's day at the zoo.....Zach's 6th birthday.....

Today was a big day for us in Nanning....weather was gorgeous....another great night of sleeping for all......had breakfast in hotel.....and being that it is Zachs birthday today, dad decided to 'go for a run' to the local Wal-mart, praying he would NOT get lost...(no street signs in English)....as the major mode of transportation in Nanning is motor bikes and bicycles, took my life in my own hand, running down the street.....should have seen everyone looking at the crazy Amercian with salt/pepper hair and iPod running down the street....!!!! Found Wal Mart no problem...navigated my way through the store and got Zach some presents for his birthday......we are having a little party for him tonight at dinner, and the other 3 families we are travelling with all got him some presents, which is very sweet....Zach has been super....hasnt asked for anything for his birthday, and knows we will celebrate it when we get back...AMAZING how cheap things are here.......can get Transformers for about 3 or 4 dollars (vs 10 to 12 in States).......Then, the whole group went to a fantastic zoo about 20 minutes from hotel.....was really nice......spread open...not crowd......but lots of animials....hippos....asian elephants....panthers...lions...tigers...crocs.....seal and dolphin show.....was great way for Zach to celebrate his 6th birthday......for a bottled of water....can of coke....and a ice cream cone, it cost 11 YUAN (which is less than a $1.50 US).......had lunch in restaurant by zoo.....was great.....know back at hotel....Zach is a little disappointed as we were going to go swimming, and a guy Jimmy that is on the trip with his wife Nancy (very nice couple....from Martha's Vineyard, too!!) were going to go swimming with us...they adopoted a really cute little girl, Lianna.....she is 8 months, and actually is from the same orphanage as Bella...but, they are working on the pool....so, it is closed for now...hopefully, will be fixed today or tomorrow......the other 2 girls adopted in our small group are from other provinces.......In Nanning versus Beijing, Americans definitely stick out a lot more.....everyone stops to look at you....but get used to it....It is Wed, and we are here until next Tuesday...it actually is much slower paced than Beijing..more down time......i think they do that on purpose...get to know your babies...spend quality bonding time...one on one time..it has worked out great thus far.....mommy and Zach are out exploring the hotel a bit...they got pool table..ping pong...arcade....Bella is taking a nap....Dad is sipping an ice cold Budweiser that he bought at Wal Mart (they sell beer..wine....hard liquor....at WalMart...!!!).....we got some great pics from the Zoo that we will post later on.....weather report said cold and snow in Mass??? it is humid and about 70 here in Nanning.....yesterday, woman said something in Chinese to Tina because bella's legs were exposed...told her she should be in long pants and a sweater....we laffed as we were in shorts and Tees.......more later....best wishes to all......