Changsha, Hunan
8:14 pm on Thu Jan 8 in Changsha
6:14 am on Thu Jan 8 Central Time
Kind of a gray, rainy day here. It felt a lot cooler since it was so damp, but I think the temps are high 40's/low 50's during the day.
Since it was cruddy outside we did a couple of local historical museums to learn more about Hunan Province and Abby's homeland. Much of the world's embroidered products come from right here in Changsha, and we visited a museum that had pieces of historical significance on display, and we walked back through a room and
watched ladies doing some of the most incredibly delicate and intricate embroidery you can imagine. We purchased a beautiful keepsake for Abby from her home Province, a panda bear that is embroidered on a silk mesh screen and encased in glass ... and it is embroidered on both sides. You can turn the circle around in the
stand and see the image on both sides, with no sign of the embroidery stitchings. Hard to explain adequately ... those of you who live close will have a chance to see it. We wanted one nice keepsake for her from the area, and this seemed like a good thing to have. I think everyone in our group picked up one for their daughter.
Next we visited a museum that had artifacts on display from a former Chinese dynasty gravesite that was excavated in the early 1970's. The pieces and bodies had been buried for 2100 years. Interesting to see, some was a little much for me, as it was complete with mummified remains of one person. (ewwwwww)
Then we came back to the hotel and it was time for dinner. We ate for the 3rd night in the hotel restaurant, but it's a buffet so different things to try each night ... western food and Chinese food. The waitresses go crazy over Abby (and all the babies) and talk to her and want to hold her. Tonight she got really scared when one girl picked her up (with our permission) and wisked her off. The problem was that daddy was out of her immediate sight ... and she does NOT like that to happen. She is definitely starting to bond with us and knows that we bring her safety, food and comfort.
Tomorrow we visit the orphanage and the spot where she was found. We'll be able to get to all of the girls' finding locations except for two, as they are not in Zhuzhou City. We're leaving the hotel at 9am (7pm Thurs Central Time) and driving 1.5 hrs in our bumpy little bus to the Zhuzhou Children's Social Welfare Institute.
Echo told us to expect to be there about 30-45 minutes, and she hopes that we will be granted permission to take photos and video while inside. After the orphanage visit we will locate all the finding locations, maybe grab some lunch in Zhuzhou City (Echo isn't convinced we'll "like" the style of food there) ... and then we'll
return to the hotel by 2-3pm. So a busy day, lots of time on the bus and a day that is sure to be a little difficult on the emotions. We have all grown to love these little girls so much in this short time that it is difficult to remember and understand the circumstances which brought them into our lives.
It's 8:35 pm and Princess Abby is sleeping peacefully in the crib behind me ... she has done really well with sleeping and eating new foods. She still attacks the spoonfuls of congee with aveangence. We've kept her diet fairly bland, but she wants to try everything on our plates! Somehow I don't think the spicy Hunan peppers would go over well with her, ha!
That's it from Changsha tonight ... join us for the next installment as we recap the journey of 10 adults, 1 bus driver, 1 facilitator and 5 happy-hungry-cranky-silly babies on a 1.5 hr journey to their hometown and the place where they spent their first 11 months (or more for some). It promises to be a day filled with smiles, tears,
joy and sentimental feelings :-)
Lisa