Changsha, Hunan
11:08 am Sat Jan 10 in Changsha
9:08 pm Fri Jan 9 Central Time
Our third consecutive gray, rainy day in Changsha! Ugh! But we do have our own little ray of sunshine with us right here in the room so I will not complain!
I posted a pic of the view from our hotel room ... as foggy and hazy as it looks, this is the best view we have had so far. I had no idea there were mountains in the distance, we have not been able to see them until the rain cleared the air a bit today. I still have a voice that comes and goes, and I think it's due to the pollution and/or something in the air that is irritating my throat. I feel fine but sound just awful. When I called home this morning, Cheryl didn't even know it was me! HA!
We had another good night with Abby, she's sleeping about 10-10.5 hrs a night. She did resist going to bed last night because we had just been sitting in the hotel room playing and having a good time ... and she was not finished! But then she did go to sleep and had a good night. We gave her a bottle and then she ate more at the hotel breakfast buffet. She loves her rice congee, steamed egg, and even tried some french toast minus the syrup this morning. So far there is nothing that this little girl refuses when you put it in front of her. She gets excited and starts waving her arms if she sees a spoon!
We're meeting the group at 2pm to head out on the bus again. Echo has changed our sightseeing plans due to the cruddy weather, and I think we are going to a shopping mall and out for pizza. Bless her heart for getting us all out, we feel somewhat captive here in the hotel. It's not that it's in a bad area, but we are the only non-Asian faces around and sometimes it gets a little uncomfortable. There is a little grocery store across the street that Mitch has ventured out to each day, but I usually don't make the trip as the first time we went there were children begging for money and a woman dropped to her knees in front of us with her hands outstretched. That was when we went as a group, and we were quite obvious. They seem to leave Mitch alone when he goes by himself.
Lisa
8:24 pm Sat Jan 10 in Changsha
6:24 am Sat Jan 10 Central Time
Another rainy day in Changsha, but Echo managed to get us out of the hotel for a few hours and see more of Hunan Province. We first visited a temple, which although is quite opposite from our beliefs was really quite interesting. It has been in existance over 500 years and locals were coming and going while we were there, performing their daily spiritual rituals. We enjoyed the chance to learn more about another culture and different way of exercising one's religious beliefs. The monks were interested in the girls and wanted to know where they would be making a new home, and offered them the heartfelt gesture of a Blessing of Good Health and Prosperity in their new homeland. As we stood listening to music and watching a traditional ceremony, Mitch was surrounded by well-meaning ladies who were relentless in telling him that Abby was not dressed in enough layers. It happens every day here, no matter how
much you bundle them! You just take it in stride and nod your head.
After leaving the temple we spent about an hour at a local shopping mall. It was PACKED with people, partly due to it being Saturday. We were quite the attraction again, turning lots of heads. Again, Mitch was accosted by an older woman regarding Abby's clothing ... the woman started shreiking and drug her husband across a store to get to Mitch and inform him of the serious error that we made in selecting Abby's clothes today. Again, smile and nod :-)
We skipped having a group dinner as the girls were tired ... the mall and all the public attention is pretty overwhelming to them. We ate dinner at the hotel and then just played in the room with Abby for awhile. She and Mitch are sleeping now as I write this update. Since the weather is still not cooperating for a nice visit to the mountaintop, Echo suggested visiting a local village and touring some of the homes and farms tomorrow. We expect it to be a real eye-opener as to the type of homelife that Abby may have been born into, and it's most likely going to be one of those days that leaves us feeling very thankful to live in the lifestyle and Country that we do. But we would not miss the chance, so on the bus again! More from gray, rainy Changsha tomorrow ... have a wonderful Saturday everyone!!
Lisa
10:58 pm Sat Jan 10 Central Time
Hello to all ... This is an incredible trip, made even more special by keeping in touch with friends and family half a world away! The rain has stopped but it is still gray. It's Sun afternoon and we haven't seen the sun since Tues when we arrived. Looks like we're in for all gray skies until we head to Guangzhou. I was anxiously checking weather.com today and was happy to see that once we get there we will have some sun and temps in the 70's. Abby will look darling in the little summer dress that I was hoping it would be warm enough to wear there. HA! I'm sure we'll still get scolded for bare legs though!
In an hour we're back on the bus to tour a local village. We're anxious to see the lifestyle to which Abby was most likely born into. It will be interesting and sad all at once. Abby is napping and Mitch is reading me local stories out of the paper. People getting bones stuck in their throat, a woman washing her shoes in the river and nearly drowning, and more stories better suited for Ripley's Believe it or Not. Some are so absurd that I don't think I will even attempt to share them here :-)
We had another good night ... Abby slept a solid 12 hrs last night. So did we! She went to bed at 8:30 last night and got up at a little after 8:30 this morning. I'm sure that all of the activity and stimulation is exhausting to her, and we're so thankful that she is eating well and able to get a good night's rest. She is just doing great. Another splashy bath this morning, then some casual pics on the bed ... posted to the Jan 11 photo album. I was talking with Drew on Instant Messenger and taking pics and posting them "live" for him. He just can't wait to see this little girl in person!
Sounds like all is well at home, that is such a comfort to us. Signing off for now, I should be back in a few hours with some village pics. I will also try to get some pics of the other babies for our travelmates' families who are on this list ... sometimes it's tough because we are all over the place. The other girls are doing so well also ... Bethany just smiles and says "da da" and "ma ma" all the time, Carly is just the cutest thing but a little shy around Mitch and I (but loves her mommy), and Caitlyn and Jeni Lyn are sweet as can be and adjusting great too. We are a very lucky travel group ... healthy babies, good company, wonderful facilitator. No complaints here, a good trip all around!
Lisa