August 27th: We are now on the morning of our second day in Jinan. Yesterday we went all over the city doing paperwork. First was the consulate where we filed the official paperwork for the Chinese government. This was a bit of a madhouse. Along with the two other families that are traveling with us, there were at least a million other families. Really I think it was about 8, but lots of kids - some happy and some not so much. Several families from outside the states (Italy, Brazil and somewhere else). Jinan accent is very harsh and loud - maybe like New York? The room was small and pretty hot. Kenley came with us and, even though she is not feeling very well, she was a great help. My new advice is that a digital camera for the child is a great, GREAT idea. We brought one for Karwen and were not at all sure that she could use it, but she figured it out in no time at all. So far she has taken about 1000 (literally) pictures and videos of the traffic. The camera has become the one thing that she really needs to know she has with her. Once she thought it was lost, and I thought that might be our first big trouble. After the consulate, we ate a bit of lunch (at California Beef Noodle King). I was interested to find out how she would eat noodles. Her elbows are free to bed, but don't have nerves to bend voluntarily. So she swung her legs around the chair and did it all by herself. Then we went to the passport/visa place which was far across town. Paperwork, waiting etc. We were again convinced that life here would be very hard for her. There are no ramps and bumpy sidewalks. Her wheelchair blew a tire and had some other issues. When we got back home, and while the kids swam I went to a sidewalk repair place and for about 1.5 usd we got a new tube and nut. Then I went to a grocery store to get some fruit. Then we had pizza and played with balloons and then went to bed. Other than that, she is eager to show us that she is capable of doing anything. She made me coffee and cleared her breakfast place. She tried to make the bed, but we convinced her to come to breakfast instead. She would not sit in her wheelchair today, but wanted to push it down to eat. She also is running around and playing with the kids. We had a bit of sadness today when we talked about her new house. She really shut down for a few minutes- it did not take very long, but there is a peak into some of what we will be working through in a while. Other than that, there have been no troubles and we are in the 'honeymoon' period - at least for now. Today should be slow, with a bit of sightseeing, swimming and resting up. We stay here for a few days and then fly to Guangzhou after that.