Tues 11/11 - The Zoo

This morning we spent a couple of hours at the zoo. It didn't quite measure up to Indy Zoo but then neither did the price. It cost 20 yuan per adult which is about $3.50 each! Kian was not very interested in the animals. He actually had more fun playing with the balloon he got at the entrance. One of highlights was hearing the lions roar...I mean really roar!!! Kian was excited to see the pandas like his new stuffed panda but to our disappointment they were in a glass building and we could hardly see them. It ended up raining some but we enjoyed the outing. 

                            Lions 

       Panda house...a disappointment 

     Kian's umbrella when it rained 

It has been so exciting to see Kian get more comfortable with us each day! He is chewing on his fingers less and chattering more when we go out. He walked around the zoo much of the time on his own where as a couple of days ago he wanted to be held all the time....Craig's poor back and arms!! It is so exciting to hear him calling out "Baba" and "Mama" to get our attention. We feel so blessed by how well he is adjusting!! And yes he does have us wrapped around his little finger...but we know that being firm is important and so we have lots we are working on. 

This afternoon we spent a couple of hours walking the streets behind the hotel. It is a city of contrasts. Expensive stores on one side with dilapidated apartments 8-10 stories high on the other side of the street. Little shops selling everything everywhere. We are glad we get to experience some of our son's culture.