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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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).
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| 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.
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| 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.
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