Monuments and Miracles



Monument

 Sunday 31Oct2010

Happy Halloween! Today we went to two monument sites and to an exceptionally beautiful park. While at the first monument it seems the locals really like pictures with Michaella.



Locals want pictures with Michaella



Locals want pictures with Michaella





A Banyan Tree in the City Park

 There are also Banyan Trees all over. There trees are usually very large and it looks like a tree with a parasite that has grown over the top of it. Notice how these trees can send a "root" down from an upper branch which becomes another root for the tree.




Five Goats Monument

 

Both Spencer and Jessa were not feeling well when we got back to the hotel for lunch. Finally, Pizza from Papa John’s, Yeah! Spencer had been begging for pizza for over a week but by the time it arrived it was clear he was too ill to eat. He had fever, chills, and a headache on into the evening. Motrin helped and he just stayed in bed and slept. Jessa seemed to feel better after a nap. She was still getting over her immunizations from yesterday. Nathan stayed with Spencer while the rest of the family went shopping on the boulevard and went looking for dinner. We were all pretty tired after that and went to bed.

Five Goats marker

At midnight I discovered that Spencer was burning up with a fever. No longer a low to mid-grade fever - his temperature was extremely high and another dose of motrin did not help. I woke up Nathan and asked him to give Spencer a blessing. Back at customs several days before Nathan's oil had been pulled and we were asked what it was. I'm so glad it was not confiscated. Ten minutes after the blessing he was quite a bit cooler. Five minutes more and I could feel even less temperature. Spencer's fever was out of danger and we were all able to sleep again.

So let's take a minute to recount some of the miracles of the trip.



"Underneath the Mango Tree me honey..."



1. Spencer was healed.

2. The boys have stayed alive on breakfast buffets and rice and water for the most of the balance of the meals.

 3. Jessa already knew her name. From the first time we called her "Jessa" she has turned her head and known it was her name - we didn't need to teach her. For many months now we have prayed asking that XiYue be prepared to meet us and be able to trust us and that we love her and will always take care of her. From her transition so far this has happened. Jessa bonded quickly with me and every day her bond strengthens with other members of the family. She has made herself quite at home in the hotel rooms and she wonders from one room to the other (our rooms are connected with a door). She likes to play games and has quite a sense of humor. She is very courious. At meal times she has definate opinions about her food and will shake her head for "yes" or "no". This type of communication really helps us know what she wants. At night, when it's time to go to bed, she cries for about 10-15 minutes in her crib then just goes to sleep. This time interval keeps getting a little shorter each time.




4. Jessa's immunization record was lost and then recovered in time saving Jessa from having extra shots unnessary shots.

 5. You! This trip was possible because of the love and service of a whole host of people which continues still. Thank you for everyone's thoughts and prayers.

This list of course is not exhaustive, but is just a few of the highlights. We miss you, love you, and can't wait to come home!

Medical Checkup

Thursday 28Oct2010

This was a siteseeing day. We visited Nanchang's city park and zoo. Jessa enjoys being outside as much as possible. She is very interested with all the sights and sounds of outside.

Friday 29Oct2010

Today we boarded the airplane for the city of Guang Zhou in the Guang Dong Province. It has a population of 13 million people and has a warmer climate. This was Jessa's third airplane trip. The first two were when she was flown to Beijing when she had her corrective surgery. She did very well but she got restless near the end of the 1.5 hour flight. She doesn't like cramped quarters - a definite foreboding for our return flight to American of 14 hours. We arrived at the White Swan Hotel which is where every adoptive couple comes before leaving the country. After arriving at the hotel we had Jessa's picture taken for her Chinese Passport. Then we called it a day. As each day goes by Jessa gets more comfortable. Tonight she was walking all over the place making funny noises and laughing. However, once bedtime came she cried for all she was worth. She was angry that we put an end to her fun. We had to restrain ourselves and leave her in the crib so that she would retain some of her orphanage training - that of going to sleep when it's time and not requiring parents to hold her for a long time until she doses off. It worked. She cried for about 15-20 minutes and then gave up and went to sleep. Otherwise, she would have continued her funny escapades.




Saturday 30Oct2010 at 9:45


Healthcare Center



Jessa right before immunizations



We took Jessa for her medical exam and immunizations at the Guangdong International Travel healthcare Center a few blocks from the hotel. We left our other children in the hotel room to do homework. The examination was a three-part process. The first part was Medicine and Surgery. Here the doctore examined Jessa to see that her motor skills and walking were good. He also examined her surgery and found that everything looked good. The second part was Height, Weight, and Temperature. Jessa was good in these vitals as well. The third part was the ENT. Jessa was also found healthy here. The final process was to update Jessa on her immunizations. She only need four - two shots in both legs. When we walked into the immunization room she started to cry before receiving any shots. We had to hold her arms and legs down while she received them. Jessa is a very strong girl. It didn't take too long before she had settled down and stopped crying. It was totally swamped and very loud. This process took about 3 hours since there were dozens of couples here with their adoptive children. They had come from all over China. Amid the many couples here it was comforting to be able to see and talk with many from America.

 

Long lines





Boulevard

Located right next to the White Swan Hotel are several square blocks which are centered around a beautiful boulevard. Walking through this boulevard felt similar to walking around Temple Square. The buildings and grounds are very well maintained. There were lots of large trees, multiple colors of flowers, several varieties of plants, bronze sculptures, and couples getting wedding photos taken everywhere. Just in our return to the hotel we counted about 8 couples. This area was very peaceful and the most restful of all the places we have been so far.



Wedding picture




Spencer found french fries

 

When we returned to the hotel we took the whole family out to lunch at Lucy's. This is a restaurant caters to all the western visitors at the White Swan. The rest of the day was spent taking naps and hanging out in the hotel room. We went shopping for an hour and then returned to Lucy's for dinner.











Orphanage, Place of Abandonement, The Great Pavilion, and driving



 Orphanage--outer entrance

Wednesday (27Oct2010) was another day we have greatly anticipated. After breakfast we visited the orphanage located about 30 minutes from our hotel. We recognized the building as soon as we were in front since we were able to find a picture of it on the internet earlier in the summer. It felt amazing that we were now in front of the same orphanage we have looked at for so long on the internet. After arriving we met most of XiYue's nannys and care-takers. From their expressions XiYue was a popular well-liked girl. They were so happy to hold XiYue while we communicated through our guide's translations. We were overwhelmed by the love they had toward XiYue.





Orphanage - inner entrance

This exchange took place right outside a low window full of children about Spencer's age or a little younger. Branden and Spencer noticed a little boy on the inside with a ball. He was at the window wanting to play ball with our boys. He would throw the ball out the window while our boys would pick it up and give it back so he could throw the ball again. He was so happy to be playing with our boys and had a big smile. Meanwhile several other children were at the window watching the boys play and watching us with great couriosity. We wanted to grab him and take him with us.

We presented our Wal-Mart gifts to the director of the orphanage. She allowed us to see other parts of the orphanage with the condition that we not take any photos. We visited the same second floor nursery where XiYue was brought as an infant after being found abandoned in a narrow but crowded street where she was sure to be found. There were about 12 or so babies currently in this nursery. They did not appear to be in good health and were just clinging on to life. Many had cleft palates or other conditions. We were able to view each baby and look into its eyes. There was a special spirit about each one fighting to live. It was impossible to leave this room where XiYue was brought and which currently has many others without being deeply touched at to each one's uniqueness and unsure future.



Orphanage - area where we met care-takers

We were able to visit the first floor room directly under the nursery where XiYue was allowed to spend much of her time playing. As we entered this room there were so many children that came over to the door enthrawled by the rare site of visitors. XiYue was allowed to walk into the room and was met by many of her friends. Many of them came up to us and grabbed our pants or reached out wanting to be held. Again, it was impossible to witness this room with all these babies and not be deeply touched. It was hard to walk away not knowing what the future held for each one. It was also hard to walk away and not be able to do more for them. Our meager Wal-Mart gifts seem to melt away into insignificance as we witnessed so great a need. It is really hard when your heart has so much more capacity than your wallet.



The director then took us further inside and showed us where foster parents lived. These foster parents take care of the children as they get a little older and can start attending school. For this service the government pays them.


 



Orphanage - area where we met care-takers



This concluded our tour of the orphanage. Even though it was shorter than we desired we appreciated it very much. On the grounds in front of the orphanage you could hear lots and lots of children. They encouraged us to write and share photos with them as XiYue grows up in America as well as send what donations we can.

We felt a range of emotions throughout this visit. On one hand we felt so blessed that XiYue was healthy and survived the first 17 months and that she is ours. On the other hand we witnessed a need so great it was difficult to comprehend even to the point of feeling guilty that we are able to enjoy so much. It is a real eye opener to see so many infants, toddlers, and children with special spirits yet whose future is very uncertain. The workers here are true angels who spend their lives doing what they can to help each child.



Place of abandonement - family photo

After our visit we desired to see the place where XiYue was abandoned. It was about 20 or so minutes from the orphanage on a narrow but busy street. The width of the street was about sixteen feet wide and full of people, bicycles, motorcycles, and cars. It's amazing that anyone can get where they want to go it is so congested. The entire length of this street that goes on for several blocks, was lined with small shops any where from about 6 - 12 feet wide. Many were in good repair but most were run down. Walking this street with our children was a little scary - good thing we had our guide and driver. It seemed there was everything for sale – fruit and vegetables, clothes, cooked food, cosmetics, bicycles, pottery, etc. XiYue was left in front of a small restuarant where a policeman found her. This location was chosen undoubtedly because it was off the main street but was very busy with people who would find her.




 



Place of abandonement - left of this restaurant



We reflected on what would cause a mother (or father) to abandon their child. It is probably one or a combination of reasons. First, there is the one child policy. If you have a second child you are financially penalized. Our first guide was "a second child" which his parents decided to keep. For this decision his parents had to pay a year's worth of earnings to the government. Another reason could be that XiYue had Meningocile. It is a good bet the parents didn't know what to do with her or couldn't afford to give her medical attention. Maybe the mother wanted to keep the child but the father insisted in giving her up. Or it could be that the mother was single and didn't have the means to take care of XiYue. Our minds will continue to wonder on the state of XiYue's parents and reasons she was abandoned. One thing is for sure, XiYue was cared enough for that she was left on this street alive in the hopes that she would be discovered and taken to an orphanage. For this we will always thank her parent(s).








The Great Pavilion - outside



Once we were satisfied with where XiYue was abandoned we were driven over to one of the historical sites called The Great Pavilion. It has been rebuilt 29 times over the centuries due to several reasons for destruction including fire and war. This pavilion was build by the emperor as a place to see plays performed. It is about six stories high - actually more like 12 due to the height of the ceilings. The decor is amazingly detailed and there were many murals painted on the walls. We were told that this pavilion has become famous because of the essays of Lin Chuan.



The Great Pavilion - decor

After lunch we had to take two taxis back to the hotel so we split up - boys and girls. On the way back the girl's taxi was run into by a bicyclist. Now for a note on the driving conditions here in China. This is not the place where pedestrians have right-of-way. In fact, there is no such thing as right-of-way in China. The predominant rule of the road is "me first". Although there are some traffic rules like stop lights most of what we call rules don't exist or aren't observed. Pedestrians, motor bikes, bicycles, cars, and busses all share the same road space. Westerner's have a comfort level of perhaps 3-4 feet. Here the comfort level is just a few inches. I can't tell you how many times we thought our driver was going to mow down a whole row of people. Even driving the wrong way is allowed if it's what is needed to make progress. J-walking is a part of life. And the horn - the horn is a continuous conversation between your driver and everyone else. No one in China is alarmed or upset about a horn blast. In short, there is no such thing as courtesy. If a westerner were to drive here they would get nowhere because they are too polite and have a "Pedestrian first" attitude. It is so intense that the drivers do not use their cell phones while driving and we always have a dedicated driver in addition to our guide since they both couldn't be done at the same time. On the other, hand people here are not easily upset about being honked at or narrowly remaining alive. I even saw a woman, whom our driver laid on the horn against, in the middle of the road looking down at what she was knitting while the taxi passed. Somehow, and we haven't figured this out, we have only seen one accident. Even though it is total chaos on the roads there are amazingly few accidents. If this were to happen on America's roadways there would be total anarchy as the disease of road rage quickly spread. We must admit they are good at getting around.

First Contact (email written by Nathan)

View from the Civil Affairs Office

Monday 25Oct2010 started with lots of anticipation.  We were all very excited and full of a range of emotions.  After breakfast we crossed the street to the Civil Affairs Office located on the 26th floor.  We arrived before Jessa did as she was stuck in traffic.  It's hard to describe the range of emotions we all felt as we waited for our child to come down the hallway and through the door.

View from the Civil Affairs Office

When she finally did arrive she was not happy.  She was crying with a set of powerful lungs. Gwenn held her first.  After several minutes of continuous crying our guide needed to explain some things to Gwenn about her diet and daily routine so I held Jessa.  Of course, having weird looking people hold her probably added to her fear and anger.  After more continuous crying she threw up all over my shirt - I think she had formula for breakfast :-).  Once this happened I knew she was our child since all my children have thrown up on me.  We packed an extra set of clothes for Jessa but not for me.  I had to wash my shirt off as best I could.  Our paper work was postponed until later so I could get cleaned up.

We took Jessa back to our hotel room where we gave her a bath.  She loved taking a bath in the warm water.  In our room, our guide helped us complete yet a different set of paper work signed with our signature and fingerprints.

At 2:30 PM we went back over to the Civil Affairs Office with Jessa leaving our children in the hotel room.  This time she did not cry but was very interested in what was going on.  To our surprise the anticipated four hours of paper work actually only took about 30 minutes.  After the director of Civil Affairs approved our adoption they issued us an adoption certificate.  Next, we drove to the Notary Office to fill out more paper work.  We returned to the hotel much relieved to find our children still there and alive.

In the evening, Jessa was calm enough to start walking around the hotel room.  At first we held her hands but then we walked on her own.  It appears that her special condition meningocile has not affected her ability to walk which is a huge relief to us.  In fact, we can't detect any negative effects from this condition during the first day.

It has really helped having our children here as each one can take a turn with her.  Jessa is also used to having noisy surroundings and seeing lots of faces.  It has helped the bonding process to have our children interact with her during this transition period.

Walmart and Porcelain in China (Email written by Nathan)

Tuesday 26Oct2010 started at 3:00 AM this morning.  Gwenn and I woke up to Jessa making soft vocalizations and growling noises in her crib.  She was also clapping her hands.  This is truly amazing since this was her first

morning away from the orphanage and in a strange place with a new family.



After breakfast we went to Wal-Mart here in Nanchang. We were given permission to visit the orphanage tomorrow without having to pay 1600 Yuan (about $250.00).  However, we still wanted to donate some much needed items during our visit.  The Orphanage director said they could use diapers, formula, and clothes.  So while at Wal-Mart we picked up these items.  Wal-Mart is located near the center of the city right next to the central Hero Park - a very large plaza style park with a Hero Monument in the center.
 

Outside of Wal-Mart



 

The Central Hero Park





 

 In the baby department



Wal-Mart is very busy and has a "market" feel about it.  It is also on several floors unlike the sprawl in America.  So, why travel all the way to China just to shop at Wal-Mart?  Not only was it close but our hotel but our guide said it was a great place to buy the requested baby items.

 

Michaella at Wal-Mart



 

Row of Porcelain shops

Once we were finished at Wal-Mart we headed over to some Porcelain shops suggested by our guide. Nanchang is the birthplace for Porcelain which goes back many centuries.  It continues to be a leading industry of Nanchang.  We saw many beautiful cups, tea sets, pots, plates, figurines, and about anything imaginable made out of Porcelain.  We picked up some gifts as momentos especially since this is Jessa's birthplace.



 


 

Jessa with family

 We returned to the hotel and spent the rest of the day just being together.  Jessa seems to like the outdoors even in a busy city.  She is very interested in what goes on around her.  She is uncommonly calm in the midst of lots of noise and lots and lots of people.



 During lunch we gave Jessa new food.  We gave Jessa a french fry and she loved it.  She also loved eating cucumbers, spegetti, and brocoli.  Later that day after dinner she ate two whole mandarin  oranges.  She has a very healthy appetite - unlike my boys.

We can't legally show Jessa's face on the internet.  So, we took a picture that would pass scrutiny.

It's a GIR!!!

I just got a 30 second phone call from Gwenn letting me know that they have Jessa!! In the traveling that Jessa did have to do to get to the Social Welfare Institute (where Gwenn and Nathan were meeting her), she cried the entire time, working herself up into a frenzy. She cried the whole time through the initial meeting and being handed over to them. She then promptly threw-up all over Nathan (in Gwenn words—A LOT!!) And Gwenn said that that was proof that she is definitely their child. (Their boys have had throw up issues at times…..this isn’t new territory for them.) Gwenn said because of the “mess” they had to return to the hotel, clean up, and have spent over an hour getting Jessa calmed and asleep. This has backed everything up a bit. They are heading back over to do the paperwork very soon, and because of this delay they have not had time to shop for the orphanage as they have planned so things are going a bit slower than they first thought they would go this morning. But in spite of all the excitement Gwenn sounded extremely JOYFUL!!

JUST HOURS NOW!!

It is only hours now until Gwenn and her family will meet up with their new daughter. Other families that they have talked to throughout their travels have shared that they will travel another 5 to 6 hours to get to the location of their child that they are adopting. Or the child themselves will have to travel a long distance to get to the parents. Not for Gwenn and Nathan. Baby Jessa is just across the street! Around 10 am their time Monday morning (8:00pm Utah time Sunday night) they will walk across the street to the Social Welfare Institute and meet their daughter for the very first time! What a relief to not have to travel any further.

Usually in the transition of placing a child with a family there is a 24 hour “temporary” custody time frame that the families deal with. After that time is up then a “permanent” custody is put into place. Gwenn and Nathan were asked if they wanted to by-pass the “temporary” part and to just “finalize” custody all in one day…..I am sure I don’t need to write Gwenn’s response….YES!! So today after meeting Jessa they will spend hours this afternoon signing all of the papers necessary to “permanently” take custody of Jessa. What a blessing. This actually frees up an additional day for the family to travel and experience Jessa’s world. They have also been offered the opportunity to travel (it isn’t too far away) to Jessa’s orphanage this afternoon. There is a $300.00 fee for this opportunity and Gwenn said it is worth every penny! She can’t wait to go there.

As they travel around the different cities they have a “guide” that helps to translate and inform them about their surroundings. Gwenn said their guide here in Nanchang couldn’t be more perfect! She is heaven sent! The guide actually grew up in this area and is personally familiar with all that Gwenn and her family are seeing and experiencing. This guide knows the life that Jessa would have if she stayed and grew up in China herself. Gwenn feels very fortunate to be learning from this guide all that she is, and it goes beyond the usual “tourist” attractions. It is amazing all the blessings that keep pouring out upon this family!

Gwenn said that when adopting a child from China the adoptive parents are always informed that their child is “potty trained”. So when the crib was delivered to their hotel room and a “potty chair” was included she giggled. Remember that Jessa is only 17 months old.  Gwenn said it is definitely more that the care givers are trained, not the child. Apparently they have set times throughout the day that the children are placed on these potty chairs and possibly even “strapped on” and “sit” until “water” or more is produced. Gwenn will share a photo of the potty chair later, but a general description is that it looks close to what our “rocking horses” here look like. There is a “seat” and handles. She did say that the designs are swans and other animals, not necessarily a horse.

Speaking of bathroom facilities, Gwenn said these are less than desirable! There are no public facilities available, there are some in restaurants, but these lack greatly in santitary well-being. Often the decision to “hold it” until a return to the hotel room is possible, takes first priority!

She sounded so good! In fact she was quite perky for it being 4 am! You may know already but she has referred to the day that they get Jessa as “Christmas”. Merry Christmas Gwenn and Nathan!! Merry Christmas!

Travel Day

I just finished a phone call with Gwenn. She wishes so very much that she could express in her own words all that she and her family are experiencing in China.  With the technical/electronic barriers they are facing she is making her best attempt to get information home and onto the blog for all to read and to be able to experience all that they are doing. I will put forth my very best effort to scribe the things she shared with me to her satisfaction and hopefully your enjoyment with a window into their journey.

Yesterday for her (Sunday) was a travel day. They left Beijing, China and flew to Nanchang, China. She said as they flew into the city it looked like Utah. The mountains, terrain, the greenery, it was Utah. (They even had rain just like we did in Utah.) Everything is landscaped in “immaculate and perfect” beauty. There is a bridge that they crossed over in their travels to the hotel and she said it was like entering NY because of all the skyscrapers and built up infrastructure. I guess you could say “two cities in one”. There are 8 million people living in this one city alone. They can feel it. It is BUSY! It took a long time to get to their hotel after arriving. Apparently the city has invested a lot of time and money in building up the city in the last 8 years and is now making incentives for people to move there.  Gwenn seemed overwhelmed that they would want MORE people there!  J

As they got to their hotel yesterday the exhaustion of so many days of travel and “go, go, going” settled in on Gwenn and she could barely get to the room, order dinner and call it a day! Gratefully there is a little bit of “home comfort” that they can experience. KFC and McDonald’s will actually deliver dinner right to your hotel door! Nice! She said that McDonald’s food tastes just like home. They have more options there for the Chinese palette, but the food itself tastes the same. KFC is “close” to the same on some things, but when they ordered popcorn chicken for the boys, apparently the Chinese like their chicken highly spiced, YIKES!! The poor boys took a bite and a three alarm fire took off in their mouths! The momentary panic of getting them a drink ensured, especially since they can’t drink the water there, but eventually the fires were put out.  

Only about 5 hours of sleep happen at a time each night and this night was no different. When I was speaking to her it was 4 am their time. Spencer had awoken and with all of the excitement of the upcoming events sleep evaded her too.  

Phone Call Home to Dad

I just got a phone call from Gwenn, from China. She asked me to listen, write up something, and email it to Denise Schaefermeyer, so it can be posted on their blog. They have had unanticipated problems with posting themselves while in China. They have managed to get on a Chinese computer (which Nate mastered), but access is limited. The CCAA (the Chinese government) has rules (i.e., expressly forbidding the internet posting of any pictures of Jessa prior to the finalization of the adoption), but apparently even more fundamental than this is that access to US social networking sites like their blog is blocked. They can’t tell if this is just from the hotel where they stay, or if it is more general. It doesn’t seem wise to push this envelope, as they were with a couple yesterday who was notified while on the flight to China, that their adoption had fallen through – they were informed that the natural parents had shown up at the orphanage that very day to claim their daughter. There can be no substitutions, as Immigration requirements (alone) take a minimum of 3 months. It gives one a sense of fragility about the process. Gwenn was making the call to me at 4AM (2PM our time, the previous day), and at 8AM they are off to catch a flight leaving around 11:20AM which will take them from Bejing to the city where Jessa waits for them. Once at the new location they will have to reinvent the wheel with a new phone card, new internet access attempt, etc.. At any rate, Gwenn had emailed Denise earlier with a short message for the blog, but then learned how amazingly expensive it was. Turns out just making a call is much cheaper, so what follows is in my words, based on what I got from her call. Here goes the hearsay.

            Yesterday their itinerary called for them to tour the Great Wall in the morning, lunch at McDonalds, and Hu Tong (“the Narrows”) in the afternoon. While on the Wall, Spencer made up his own song about being on the Wall, and was skipping along, repeatedly singing it. Gwenn gave Brandon the camera at one point to take a picture (so she could be in the photo), and after everyone got positioned, he loudly said, “Say ‘Noodles’”. Everyone within earshot cracked up, and there were a lot of Chinese people there taking pictures of Spencer and Brandon.

One segment of their trip took them past “The Birdsnest”, part of the 2008 Olympic Village, which is said to be the largest steel construction in the world. Everything, it seems, is “the biggest”, but this is believable since Bejing has a population of 18 million. The lunch at McDonalds was like at home, except they had no drinks. They couldn’t figure out how to say “no ice” in Chinese. The family had adjusted to being in a mass of people who spoke a language totally incomprehensible to them, but they had been seeing (and eating) a lot of unfamiliar things, so a Big Mac became comfort food.

The Hu Tong tour was entirely by rickshaw, with the same driver, as no cars are permitted in the Narrows. He was an older gentleman who pulled them many miles, and Gwenn said she surely over-tipped him, as his effort touched her. The main feature of the Narrows was the tour of a “living home”. This was one of the many more-than-300- year-old homes of the area that had continuously been occupied as residences. The construction of all are the same – a one-story square of rooms surrounding a square garden in the middle. The northernmost  room is reserved for the most honored family member (normally the oldest), since it is coolest in summer and the warmest in winter. The room to the east of this (symbolic of where the sun comes up) is reserved for the oldest son, and so forth until the least desirable room is for the youngest daughter. The room are quite small, and the houses share a public bathroom. They rarely go up for sale, though one did recently and sold for about $1million. The younger generation does not favor them so much, apparently not only due to the size and water closet issues, but there is no internet access. Part of their tour was an interview with the father there, who carefully arranged the fathers in the visiting families in chairs before him, before beginning his narration. There was no mistaking who mattered most in that home, resident or visitor.

An unprogrammed event in the afternoon was “The Dragon Lady”, as Gwenn has termed her. Gwenn had wondered before their arrival if there would be any problems finding souvenirs. It turns out that wherever they stopped there was (apparently) a flashing sign that said “Foreigners with MONEY”, which attracted vendors, many in attack mode. This one particular vendor, a lady of uncertain age and with good English (and an unstoppable amount of it), immediately focused on Gwenn, urging her wares as soon as Gwenn stepped off the rickshaw at the living home. Gwenn said “no” to her, perhaps 20 times before she could enter the home. The Dragon Lady was waiting for her when she emerged, and got “no” another 20 times before Gwenn caved and bought the half-dozen purses. Then the Lady produced something else, and the cycle restarted. Gwenn says she doesn’t regret buying the purses, likes them, but at that point enough was too much. Gwenn boarded the rickshaw and the Lady, still talking, began piling her stuff into it. After catching the driver’s eye, and giving up on “no”, Gwenn returned her focus to the Dragon Lady and spoke those universally recognized words, “bye-bye”, which did the trick. The goods were quickly removed and they were off, back to the hotel.

The Great Wall

Nathan and I decided to divide and conquer.  Nathan

took the girls on the steep climb up the Wall

while the boys and I went down the other direction.

 At every tower there are small market style gift shops.
Everyone there was in a good mood and smiling.  The

Great Wall was very busy and full of every nationality.  The

Chinese people loved to take pictures with the two boys.
 

When we asked our guide later about it he said it was exciting

to people who had come from far away places to get their

picture taken with a real, live foreigner.  We spent an hour and a
half on the Wall and had so much fun.  I loved the sign that said,

"Do not speak on mobile in thunderstorm." 

The Forbidden City

Yesterday we visited the Forbidden City.  The city is just huge and goes
on and on.  There are 9,999 1/2 rooms in the city.  If there were 10,000
rooms the emporer would be god.  So this city is meant to be between
heaven and earth.  Michaella felt as though many were starring at her.
Her hair was very curly in the humid weather and many were starring.  She
said she will need therapy.

They've Arrived!!

Due to technical difficulties Gwenn and Nathan are unable to post to Facebook or their blog from China at this point in time. I am making a post in their behalf to keep everyone updated of their adventures thus far. (Denise S.)

The whole crew arrived with only one throw up episode in their 16 hours of flight. Gwenn said that felt like a miracle! I concur.  I am sure most have read on the blog their itinerary but in case you haven’t this was how their day went yesterday. Their flight left SL around 2 pm on Oct 20th. They flew up over Washington and Oregon states, over the Pacific Ocean, over the Aleutian Islands and then down to Tokyo Japan. After a few hours lay-over in Japan they boarded a second flight that arrived in Beijing China at roughly 10:30 pm on Oct 21^st. Yes, the 21^st. Remember the time change and they flew over the International Date Line. They lost quite a few hours……they’ll find them on the way back!

They are staying in Beijing China currently, which is 14 hours ahead of our time here in Utah. They are up and getting ready for the day and the kids are having a great time! So far they have found out that Nathan’s cell phone won’t work there and neither will Gwenn’s curling iron. Small bumps in the road, but I am sure a bit annoying none the less.  Their first adventure on their trip is to visit the Forbidden City today. The weather there is roughly the same that we are experiencing here, with the high reaching about 68 degrees. They are hoping that once they meet up with their guide they will be able to figure out how they can gain internet access themselves.  They are excited for their adventures today and will try to find ways to still keep everyone here at home posted as to their adventures!

Our Itinerary

Day Date      Time    Depart/Arrive       Flight   Location                  Activity
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Wed 20-Oct-10 1:40 PM Salt Lake City, USA DL0639                             Flight to Tokyo, Japan
Thu 21-Oct-10 4:35 PM Tokyo, Japan
Thu 21-Oct-10 7:05 PM Tokyo, Japan        GWDD5V                             Flight to Beijing, China
Thu 21-Oct-10 10:30 PM Beijing, China
Thu 21-Oct-10                                      Holiday Inn Hotel
Fri 22-Oct-10 Beijing                                                        Forbidden City Tour
Sat 23-Oct-10                                                                Great Wall Tour
Sat 23-Oct-10                                                                Acrobatic Show
Sun 24-Oct-10 11:20 AM Beijing, China     MU5174                             Flight to Nanchang, China
Sun 24-Oct-10 1:40 PM Nanchang, China
Sun 24-Oct-10                                      Galactic Peace Hotel
Mon 25-Oct-10                                      Civil Affairs Office      Custody of Hong Xi Yue
Tue 26-Oct-10                                      Civil Affairs Office      More Paperwork
Wed 27-Oct-10                                      Nanchang                  Sightseeing
Thu 28-Oct-10                                      Nanchang                  Sightseeing
Thu 28-Oct-10                                      Nanchang                  Visit Orphanage
Fri 29-Oct-10 1:30 PM Nanchang, China     MU5255                             Flight to Guangzhou, China
Fri 29-Oct-10 2:55 PM Guangzhou, China
Fri 29-Oct-10                                      White Swan Hotel
Sat 30-Oct-10                                                                Medical Exam
Sun 31-Oct-10                                      Guangzhou                 Sightseeing
Sun 31-Oct-10                                                                Prepare Visa Docs
Mon 1-Nov-10 10:00 AM                              American Consulate        Visa Interview
Tue 2-Nov-10                                       American Consulate        Oath Ceremony
Wed 3-Nov-10 Guangzhou, China                                                Train to Hong Kong, China
Wed 3-Nov-10 Hong Kong, China
Wed 3-Nov-10                                       Harbor Plaza Metro Hotel
Thu 4-Nov-10 8:00 AM Hong Kong, China     GWDD5V                             Flight to Tokyo, Japan
Thu 4-Nov-10 1:05 PM Tokyo, Japan
Thu 4-Nov-10 4:00 PM Tokyo, Japan         GWDD5V                             Flight to Los Angeles, USA
Thu 4-Nov-10 9:35 AM Los Angeles, USA
Thu 4-Nov-10 11:18 AM Los Angeles, USA    GWDD5V                             Flight to Salt Lake, USA
Thu 4-Nov-10 2:05 PM Salt Lake City, USA