Today was a very emotional day. We took a two hour van ride to
Fengcheng. We were able to see the outlying farming community. In this area, we passed locals working in the rice fields. The fields are portioned off into what amounts to a plot of land the size of a normal house lot in the States. Each family, regardless of the number of members, has only one plot to farm.
We saw water buffalo, calves, chickens, & pigs walking on the side of
the road and small ducks in various little ponds. As we moved into the
suburbs of Fengcheng, in what our guide told us is the old city, there were several small open markets.
There were so many old dilapidated and half-demolished buildings
housing people that we had the impression that original city had been long abandoned and families had simply moved in, making the abandoned sites their homes.
There were many elderly people riding bikes, many hauling a great
amount of belongings or wares to sell.
The new city is much more modern. Once in the city, we made several
stops so that we could take pictures of Sophie's hometown. As soon as we got out of the van, we were surrounded by the local people. It was cold, windy, & rainy today and while David was taking photos, Mary was chided (in Chinese) for not having Sophie completely covered in her blanket. Sophie kept wiggling her way out of the blanket & the local women of Fengcheng kept chiding Mary!
We drove past the Fengcheng Social Welfare housing complex which was
opened last year. It's comprised of the orphanage as well as a nursing home and a home for the disabled. The orphanage does not allow parents to visit so we could only look at the complex from outside the gates -- didn't see a single person & not even sure which building was the orphanage.
By the way, our itinerary says that we're going to Guangzhou tomorrow,
but we learned this afternoon that we're not going until Tuesday. We are disappointed to hear that as we're ready for a change of scenery &
we're tired of sitting in our room all the time. The streets & sidewalks are so hazardous here that we're afraid to go for a walk. Cars drive up on the sidewalk sometimes & none of the cars obey any traffic signs/signals.
Also, whenever we're out in public, we're mobbed, or rather Sophie is
mobbed. This morning a group surrounded us at our breakfast table. One lady wanted to hold Sophie, but once she had her, she proceeded to walk off!
Mary followed her & took Sophie back. New family rule -- no more
strangers get to hold Sophie!
May 13 -- Today is Mother's Day. I got 3 cards -- one from Sophie, one from David, & one from Martha. David & I have been trying to teach Sophie to say ma-ma but to no avail. She's very good at da-da though. We have succeeded in teaching her to click her tongue.
She's had a case of hickups on & off all day today & we've also noticed
one tooth peeking out on the bottom.
We spoke to Grandma & Grandpa today to wish Grandma a Happy Mother's Day. Of course, Sophie was happy & content until David dialed the phone & then she got fussy.
Good news is that today we changed how we were making her formula & she's already had 32 oz & it's only 4:30 p.m. That's more than she's been taking in a whole day before. Also means that we've had more diaper changes today than ever before!
No activities tomorrow. Just waiting for her Chinese passport. Then
fly to Guangzhou Tuesday a.m. We'll only be there 4 nights & then head home -- we are so ready to return to the States & take Sophie home.
