July 8, 2014

SHANWEI

Shanwei Harbor

Today was a day of exploration and our last full day in Shanwei.  We went to the highest point in the city and visited a shrine to the most important local Buddha.  She protects fisherman and Shanwei is primarily a fishing city. It was a nice climb to the top of the hill to see the Buddha (it was only 95 degrees with 100% humidity).  The girls were champs and didn’t complain too much about the heat.  After the climb we visited the temple at the base of the hill and watched as locals gave offerings to ensure their family members returned home safely from the sea.  It was a fun trip and offered great views of Shanwei.  

We returned to the hotel during the heat of the day and spent some time playing in the pool.  Jing and I also shot several video shorts of her impressions of Shanwei.  We plan to post them as soon as we return home.

Dawn and Xixi ventured into Shanwei to pick up the glasses they had special ordered for Xixi the day before.  The Chinese are able to deliver cheap, fashionable, prescription glasses in less than a day.  Xixi is very happy in her new, trendy eyewear (photos to follow).

Dinner with the Director and Staff of Jing's Orphanage

Later in the afternoon we went on a shopping trip to purchase diapers for the orphanage and then met the director and the orphanage staff for a dinner.  We were thrilled that getting to the restaurant required a boat trip!  We were treated to many local Shanwei specialties and Jing was the guest of honor.  As such, she was expected to eat the first portions of the dishes.  We couldn’t have been prouder of her.   She tried whole squid (ink sacks intact), goose, pig stomach, and something we couldn’t identify.  She smiled the entire time…and was finally able to fill up when the noodles arrived.  

There were many toasts to her honor and an invitation to return as often as possible.  We also heard new stories about her days before we adopted her.  As the orphanage was new when Jing lived there, they were often short-staffed.  Jing’s cleft lip surgery at 4-months required constant care to ensure she didn’t scratch out the stitches.  The staff told us how they each took shifts away from their families to ensure that she was cared for.  Dawn and I expressed our gratitude and thanks and Jing listened intently and our guide translated their remarks. 

We finished the evening with a short boat trip back to Shanwei and many photos with our new friends.  Jing refers to Shanwei as “hers” and she’s right.  She looks like to locals…she blends in.  There have been many times over the last few days when Chinese come up to her and expect her to know the language.  She handles the awkwardness and shrugs, trying to explain that she speaks a different language.  Coming here helps us understand her origin, her people and it gives Jing a frame of reference as she grows up.  We are confident that she’ll reflect often on this experience.  Xixi has been right there with her and expressed that she is grateful that Jing went first and she is happy that Jing will be there in a few days when she meets her people. 

Jing and Xixi at Shanwei Harbor

Tomorrow it’s off to Guangzhou and a 2-night stay in the hotel where we lived during Jing’s adoption process.  Then it’s off to three gorges area of Hubei to visit Xixi’s orphanage.  I’m sure there are more stories to come.