The Moment We've All Been Waiting For ...

Wow!!!  I'm the worst Blogger, I know!!  So -- you want photos???

 How cute is she?  I am absolutely, positively, over the moon, in LOVE!!!  She's tiny, but tall.  Cracks the cutest smile.  Eats like a horse.  And, has the most infectious laugh that can charm the pants off anyone.  All the locals adore her, and say how beautiful she is.

Since I missed a few Blog-days, I'll take it from the beginning.  We went to the Civil Affairs building on Monday, June 13th and met Hadley for the very first time.  What a brave little girl.  Didn't shed a tear.  But, you can appreciate what a sad little girl she was ... had no clue what was going on.  Can you imagine?  Sheri was in charge of photography and video and we chose to focus on Video, but here's on of our Very First Photos:

As you can see, she wasn't wearing any shoes!!!  And, we needed some diapers, so we went to a small department store next to the Civil Affairs Building.  Just look at that face ... makes you want to cry.  And, she looks nothing like that anymore!!  The transition is just amazing.  

The next day, we went back to the Civil Affairs Office, which by the way, was a shabby room with a few couches and two desks facing each other where the "officials" sat.  We were the only family adopting, so we had the room to ourselves.  It was a little anticlimatic ... but, who cares!!!  She's mine now!!! 

After the Civil Affairs Office we headed directly to Datong, the city where Hadley was found (and presumably born) -- a four hour car ride (what a way to bond!!).  Here, we needed to go directly to the police station (which was not really a police station!), to provide some information that they key into the computer system for issuing Hadley's passport ... or something, because I have yet to receive a passport (maybe tomorrow?).

After we were through at the "Police Station", we had the opportunity to visit the orphanage where Hadley was brought when she was found.  While she lived with a foster family for about a year, she was returned to the orphanage's care in March of this year ... just in time for her to be assigned to me! 

 

I really wish I had stopped to buy some candies or something to bring the kids at the orphanage.  They were so cute, and posed for a photos with us.  They all new MianMian by name, and seemed really happy to see her.  Just look at these kids.  Doesn't it just break your heart?  

After our trip to the orphanage, we ate some hot pot!!  It was very neat experience, but WAY to hot outside to be sitting next to a boiling pot of hot oil and broth!! It was delicious nevertheless.  

That was enough for me for one day!!  We checked into our hotel where we experienced the hard beds we've heard all about.  It didn't stop me from sleeping after the day we had!!  I have to say, Hadley was quite the trooper through it all.  Got a little cranky on the car ride, but who wasn't??  

The next morning, we had some breakfast where we experienced Shanxi Noodles for the first (but not the last!!) time.  Yes -- they were everything everyone raved about.  Awesome!!!  I wish I had a photo of how they use a cleaver to shred the noodles off this long board of ... noodle dough!!!  I know I will long for these noodles ... Mmmm.  After breakfast we got BACK in the car, but before heading back to Taiyuan, we stopped at the Yungang Grottoes, a World Heritage Site.  

Another four hours in the car to Taiyuan, where we checked into our hotel and passed out.  But, not before feeding my little eating machine.  This little girl will eat anything you put in front of her!!  And, did I mention, that she's neat?  

Today, we had our first opportunity to sleep in.  Aaahhhh ... I even had to wake Hadley!!!  We stuck to Hadley's schedule as best we could, and actually let her nap in the room.  This little girl puts herself promptly to sleep!!  Will it last?  

After she woke, and of course ate again!, we headed out to a "Vinegar Factory"that we read about online.  Taiyuan is known for its vinegars and a certain kind of wine, so I wanted to bring some home.  Well, the "Vinegar Factory" was simply a street with a bunch of vinegar shops.  Maybe there was a factory somewhere, because it smelled heavily of vinegar, but not the type that would provide the tour I was hoping for!!!  It was pretty cool, because they fill these containers that look like gallon jugs of cleaning products from a spigot.  They also have all variations of aged vinegars.  Unfortunately, the clerks did not speak any English, but it's never hard to find someone who does!!!  And, I have to say, I'm getting by on my limited Chinese.  It's been quite an experience, but the language handicap hasn't held us back.  We're hopping into cabs, negotiating prices, even went to a large upscale shopping center and bought Hadley shoes!!  

At the shopping center, Hadley had her first taste of ice cream.  Of course, if she can eat it, she likes it!!  I also bought her a couple of toys -- yup, the plastic kind that make noise when you push buttons.  

Is this kid cute, or what???  I'm the luckiest Mommy!!! 

Day 4 Beijing/Taiyuan

As I write this entry (and the one prior), I am travelling in an express train to Taiyuan, where I will finally meet up with Hadley!!  We weren’t scheduled to meet our guide until 1PM, so we grabbed a taxi to the Pearl Market again – but this time we were armed with a knack for bargaining and a list!!  We hit the upper floors where the higher quality pearls are sold.  I made some purchases (those requested) including a gift for Hadley when she’s older.  The pearls are freshwater pearls, but we learned a little about the differences in quality, and stayed away from the lower quality stuff that we can buy cheap anywhere.  While not cultured sea pearls, the pearls I selected were quite nice with even shape and color.   They string the pearls right in front of you and you select a clasp.  They were VERY nice, and since it was still early, we had a very relaxing experience.

After purchasing our pearls we headed downstairs to the accessories – bags and shoes!!!  I’m not even going to disclose the damage we did there.  Again, what fun!!  Everything was SO cheap!!!   It was a good thing we had limited time to spend (and limited funds!!).   As it is, our bags are so heavy!!!  

We met our guide at the appointed time and headed off to Beijing West Railway Station, where we boarded a train to Taiyuan.  Did I mention that we are the only Caucasians on the train???  It doesn’t seem to matter … not to them or to us.  I truly adore the Chinese people.   They are never impatient with us, always polite, and appreciative of our desire to absorb and learn more about their culture.

Our provincial guide, Anna, met us at the Railway Station and took us to the 5-Star World Trade Hotel, where we checked into our room already equipped with a crib!! 

 

Tomorrow, we change money in the morning and meet Hadley in the afternoon ... so, my next post should go something like:  "The moment you've all been waiting for."  

Day 3 Beijing 

Today, I learned to appreciate how much the Chinese respect their government.   We met our guide at 9AM and drove directly to Forbidden City where we met up with what seemed to be everyone else in China!!  Since it was Saturday, there were many tours and many people visiting the “Palace Museum” as it is also known.  Despite the crowds, I was really impressed with the size of the Forbidden City and its entrance, Tianamen Square.  You can appreciate the size of the crowd when you realize our portrait photos rarely contain just us.  There’s always about 5 or  6 people lining up to take photos, and there are times you just need to push your way.  With so many people to deal with, the Chinese do not stand on ceremony, but simply move on instead – not that they are rude, they’re just accustomed to crowds. 

After the Forbidden City, we lunched on Peking Duck at a famous Beijing restaurant, QuanJude, where they roast the duck in wood fired ovens.  It was … delicious!!  So far, we have yet to be dissatisfied with a meal here – but we’re still in Beijing!!! 

We toured a local Hutong after lunch.  The Hutong was located right behind a lakeside area called Hao Hai Park, where there are many restaurants and pubs with waterfront seating along the lake.  Again, the lakeside area was huge compared to the Nautical Mile!!   I was especially surprised with the number of pubs and bars, many with “Budweiser” in their names.  By the way, the beer here is great!! 

The Hutong tour was interesting, but I guess I misunderstood what a Hutong was!!  I really thought it was a type of ghetto, but it was quite nice!!  It was clean and newly renovated and there were many cars parked along the alley (some BMW’s even!!).    I learned that Hutong is really just a name for a configuration of small roads or alleyways that encompass many enclosed courtyards around which the Chinese make their homes – almost like courtyard apartments (aka Melrose Place), but instead of strangers, the connecting apartments are occupied by families that are all related.  So, you may enter a courtyard through a single entrance and then enter a courtyard off which there are several apartments.  I was disappointed not to be able to see the inside of any courtyard as the entryways all begin with a hallway first. 

Sheri and I would have lingered at the Hao Hai Park area and relaxed with a cold beverage for some people watching, but just as we arrived back at the minibus to retrieve our bags it started to storm.  We were happy then for the lift back to our hotel!! 

By the time we reached the hotel, the rain had stopped but it left behind uncommonly clear skies, and the view from our Hotel Room showed itself. 

We dropped our bags off in our room, freshened up a bit, and took a walk along nearby WangfuJing Street, which is a pedestrian street with many shops – some upscale and some souvenir shops.  We tasted tea and had some Jasmine Tea softserve ice cream.  We found a little back alleyway off WangfuJing that opened up to a local market place with food vendors and souvinir hawkers, where we got accosted by many of the vendors, but had a blast haggling for all sorts of trinkets … so much to buy so little time!!  

We really wanted to eat Hot Pot, but by the time we found the restaurant recommended by our Hotel, it was closed at 9PM.  So, we stumbled upon a brightly lit cafeteria style restaurant selling Steamed Buns – yummy!!  We pointed, we paid and we ate!!  And, yes, everyone stared at us because we were one of the very few Caucasians in the restaurant.   In the end, we were happy to have missed the Chinese Hot pot meal we had originally set out for.   Overall, it was a jam-packed day, and our last full day in Beijing.   

Beijing Day 2

Today, we started with a trip to the Jade Factory, where we learned the different qualities of Jade, how to tell real from fake (marble or glass) and, of course, made some purchases - how could you not after learning about the healing qualities of Jade (or Jade-ite, the higher quality Jade).  I always thought Jade was pretty inexpensive.  I learned all about how expensive Jade-ite is and how it has increasedin price over the past year.  

After the Jade Factory, we conquered the Great Wall.  Words just cannot describe the beauty of it, so why not just enjoy the photos:  

Since the SiMaTai section is closed, we went to the MuTianYu section, which is a little bit less crowded, but still a "tourist spot".  We took the chair lift from the base to the wall.  This is where I learned of Sheri's fear of heights!!!  LOL  But, she did great!!   The chair lift (like a ski lift) took us to Tower 5 and you have the option of going to the right to Tower 1 or to the left to Tower 23; or you can take a Cable Car that takes you to Tower 14.

I don't really know exactly what Tower I arrived at after climbing this flight of stairs (see photos below -- I really DID!!), but there's a sign that does not permit you to go further.

I'll say, the view from the top was pretty damn impressive!!! 

The climb was treacherous, but worth every step!!  The entire way down, I couldn't help humming ...  "I am strong, strong.  I am invincible, invincible.  I am Woman!!"  What an incredible experience.