September 21, 2008

The last few days have been about bonding. The times that we had to go back for adoption registration and notary were stressful for David as he thought he was going back to the orphanage. Periodically he would have a tantrum and show that he can be very strong physically. Careful and patient time-ins allowed him to see that we would be in charge and he would still remain with us. David was amazed by the 5 star hotel that we stayed at, Yuda Palace Hotel. Looking at a street map we realized that he was found only a few streets away from the hotel. Despite his initial bonding process, he quickly adapted to getting the attention of wait staff by clapping his hands. Bathrooms with him were an adventure in themselves. His curiosity with Western toilets let to some fun moments with urinal cakes and trying to squat on the top of the toilet seat instead of sitting.We went to the Henan Provincial Museum to view beautiful artifacts. David insisted on posing in front of mny items, expalining that when he was younger he lived in the palaces. Despite his doubtful 'royal lineage' he and his friend Min showed genuine interset in the tour and asked questions. The people that we have met here have been gracious, intelligent and helpful which has eased our transition. On the 19th we flew to Guangzhou. David did quite well on the plane except for his dislike of seatbelts. He told us he's flown 2 times before-not true! We are staying at the White Swan which is a very Americanized province because of all the adoption consulate work done here. David asked us to purchase sunglasses to be like Gary, so he could 'see to read' the menu. He hangs them on the front of his shirt as well. David has been very affectionate with us both, smothering us with kisses. Since he had a friend at the orphange who was deaf, that had been adopted out, David is pretty fluent in sign, easing our communication. Quite the jokester, he tells shopkeepers that he is deaf and can't speak and can only have ice cream.He continues to amaze us with his fine motor skills, his intelligence and cleverness.He told the guide that he doesn't understand English, but his brother will teach him.

September 16

Introducing David Dongsheng, international comedian and parrot soon making his first US appearance! Not one to waste time, he immediately sat on my lap said "Mama" and never looked back. He loves his BaBa (Dad)too! He grabs our hands and repeats everything anyone says, laughing more as he warms up to us. Right now we are being entertained by a duet by David and the other little girl as they watch a local children's show.

September 16

We flew into Zhengzhou this morning leaving at 5 in the morning. This has been the capital of China 4 times in its history of 8 capitals. It is home to 1 billion people in the province and 7 million in this city. The people here are of Han decent and have a different look than those in Beijing.The area is indutrial and heavy with pollution. It houses newer buildings and the traditional ones some similar to painted Dutch ones.In the airport we realized as we looked around at the shops etc. that David was abandoned, not at a bank construction site but outside a bank called "Construction Bank of China". Miranda our guide met with us and assured us that David is 'ready to go" . We pick him up at 3PM. The other family has a 7 yr old girl from a city 3 hours away with a bilateral foot amputation due to burns. Both will be brought to the adoption office. We went to KFC :) for food and a local store to buy water, and candies for the orphanage. Both families are nervous!!!Tomorrow we will do paperwork and notary. I am relieved to pay the orphanage fee of 24000 Yuan/RMB and not have to safeguard the amount any more!

September 15, 2008

Today we went to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. The square is 60 football fields in area decorated with huge Disney-like floral displays for the Para Olympics. Mao's tomb is here as are government offices. A guard of school children stood at attention with a flag at the top of the steps of one monument to the working people. Across the street is the Forbidden City home to many dynasties of emperors. It has 9 outside gates an important symbol of wealth and position decorated with dragons, turtles, cranes depicting the 9 children of the emporer. The doorways have foot high sills which keep out rain and ghosts that cannot jump over. Higher sills connote importance as well. The doors have 81 knobs of gold again important symbolism. Three hours later we toured 2/3 of a mile through 7 gateways to get from the south to the north wall. The buildings have beautiful terra cotta rooves in a gold reserved for royalty. In ancient times wearing this royal yellow was punishable by death. Beyond the gates was the royal garden. A huge stone wall was built there for the royals to climb to play instruments or see the moon. It was held together by sticky rice.From there we visited a Hutong the Mongolian name for a traditional neighborhood homes which each have a well that makes a 'hutong' sound when a pebble is dropped in. We toured by rickshaw along streets from 8' to 42"wide. Everywhere persistent hawkers tried to sell 'Mao" watches, Olympic gear and chopsticks as you crossed the street, walked in the ally or by bicycle along side the rickshaw. Reaching the bus meant escape. The ancient homes have pillars signifying your rank, with 4 being the highest. The high door sills are also here.Each hutong consists of 2-3 families with a shared courtyard. It is protected by a secret knock upon the owners return. Each side is no bigger than a small trailer with a common area, kitchen and sleeping quarters. Toilets are optional!Outside beautiful girls are dressed along the roadside as brides for photos, a stark contrast to the simple homes, laundry hanging in the streets,dead poultry waiting to be cooked and rusted bicycles.Ironically, in this busy city there is no litter. Workers with brooms that look like our halloween decorations sweep everywhere. The real danger is the traffic jam of rickshaws, bikes, cars and taxis all converging in every direction on the narrow back streets.

September 14, 2007

Last evening we went to the acrobatic show to view spectacular balancing, contortionism, and balancing in mid air on 2 open spinning wheels. Today we went to the Cloisinne factory to view the 8 hour process for even the tiniest pieces. We then travelled an hour into the mountains to view one of the oldest sections of the Great Wall. Since it is the Autumn Festival highlighting the full moon, families are on holiday and sightseeing in large groups. It is impossible to describe the massive scale that the Wall comprises. Some took the gondolas up to the top while others of us walked as far as we could. You literally walk bent forward or backward as the incline steepens. The view is spectacular and the mountain air clear and cool. Families actually stop midway, spead out a cloth and picnic in the middle of the crowds. Several of us with light colored hair have become photo-ops for the locals! We got to see firsthand toddlers, diaperless with split pants, urinating in the lot, as well as the "squatty- potties" in the bathrooms. Fortunately there was usually one western style toilet on the end.On the way back we had a traditional family style meal at the local jade factory complete with a tour. Since our driver still had a placard for the OLympics we were also able to tour the Olympic village, seeing the Water Cube, the Birds Nest and 3 large skyscrapers with giant screen tvs on the outside that control all. Current olympic events were being televised as we drove by.

September 14, 2008

Following the orientation we took taxis with the guide, Joy, to the silk and pearl market. Imagine a 7 story building with narrow walkways between back to back stalls of merchants. Each floor has wares ranging from silk, pearls, cashmere, clothing, etc. literally being hawked by primarily young girls grabbing at you yelling for you to buy and haggle the prices. They pull out calculators to show prices, renegotiate, and yell 'what you want'. They don't like to take 'no' for an answer sometimes foisting the object at you. The overwhelming sales pitches frequently left many of us looking elsewhere. We did find McDonalds! The old fried apple pies are still alive and well in China.

September 14, 2008

On Saturday we had orientation with Shiyan. She gave each family their next set of instructions and answered questions. The group of children is comprised of 6 11-16 month olds, several 3 year olds and David, the oldest.We learned he is doing well and we can ready a list of questions for background information. He has been told he has a "US Mama and a US Baba" coming for him soon. Children are given to you with an initial 24 hour temporary custody agreement called a "harmonious period of time", before official proceedings start.

September 14, 2008

We arrived safely in Beijing after a 7185 mile journey taking 13 hours! By 5 hours we were ready to get off the plane. The unusually rugged mountains around Beijing were an awesome sight as we got closer to the airport.The guide met all 6 families at the airport as we converged from several different states. The remainder of the group will come in tomorrow.The Para Olympics are taking place so the traffic is still restricted to a third of its normal capacity. Beijing is an mixture of new and old. Weeping willow and poplar trees dot a landscape of modern skyscrapers, old builings with cage-like balconies and traditional Chinese style buildings.One building referred to as 'the pants' is a modern highrise shaped like an upside down u. Traffic consists of motorized old bicycles of all sorts,scooters,rickshaws, taxis, trucks , buses and private cars.

September 6, 2008

We can't believe we are leaving in less than 5 days. The anticipation is building as our departure gets closer. Everything is finally packed and within the airline weight limits! We have gratefully been graced with offers from 2 different wonderful friends to take us to the airport and meet us on our arrival. The itinerary, which arrived a few days ago, says that we will be in Beijing for 4 days with nine other families touring the Great Wall, the Cloisonne Factory, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. The Acrobatic show, an orientation meeting, and a tour of Hutong round out the activities. From there we fly to Zhengzhou with only one other family, where we will receive our long awaited son, David Dongsheng, on the 16th. We will be there 3 days while we do the adoption registration and notarization. A tour of the Henan Provincial Museum is scheduled, but our stay in his province was shortened due to a convention in their capital city. On the 19th we fly on to Guangzhou to spend 2 free days getting to know our son before his appointment for his medical exam. On the 23rd we have our Visa appointment. The next day we take an oath and pick up his Visa. Due to our shortened stay in Henan Province, we will be leaving ahead of the other families in our group to fly home on the 25th. We can't wait to get him, but at the same time it is so hard to leave our other children! Believe it or not, it's the first time we've ever left them behind.