I guess it is time to update our blog! We left for China on August 19 as a group of Mom and two girls. On September 5th we arrived back in Kansas a Mom with three girls! What a wonderful trip we had! Tessa JiXing has gone from a very shy, timid little girl to being right in the middle of things with her sisters! She started school on September 17th and has not only amazed us, but has WOWed her teachers as well!
I'll try to give the short version of our trip. Arrived in Hong Kong had a good nights sleep and then spent a day touring the beautiful city! Hong Kong has so much to do! We barely scratched the surface and then we were on the train to Guangzhou.
Guangzhou has changed quite a bit since 2007. No motorcycles allowed in the city now, but there is still lots of traffic! I didn't see as many people smoking this time, supposedly the younger people are learning of the hazards of smoking and are not starting that bad habit. Guangzhou is also hosting the Asian Games in November this year. China has spent millons of dollars on cleaning up Guangzhou for these games. The games are only going to last approximately 2 weeks, but they are going all out to spruce up the city for them.
We met Tessa JiXing on August 23 at about 2:30pm. She was not very happy to see us and I was so glad that I had RaeAnne and ZoraLin along with me. Tessa was content to hold hands with her sisters and put up with me as I was along with them. She warmed up to me gradually and by the time we came home was claiming me as her Mom....just like her sisters!
China was VERY hot and humid! But it was also just as I remembered. The smells, the sounds, the sights, the people, the food...I could go on and on. We saw some of the same things and we saw some new, beautiful things. Shamian Island was beautiful even with the construction to rejuvinate the grand French buildings. Most of the construction is complete and it was very easy to get around the island. There are still many shops on the island that cater to adoptive parents, but the ones that are there are sometimes fun to figure out where they are. Michael's Place has moved much closer to the White Swan and Michael recognized us as soon as we walked through the door! There is a Susan's Place, Jenny's, Sherry's Place, Jennifer's, China Doll, Jordan's, and at least 7 to 10 other stores there. They are still ready to barter, but the low, low prices are gone. I am sure that with the slow down in adoptions each year these businesses are having to work extra hard to make ends meet.
The girls and I met up with "Uncle Peter" and "Aunt Lin" and that was nice to see those that we have known for years. They both hold special places in our lives and hearts.
The girls with Aunt Lin in 2010, plus Tessa JiXing our newest addition!
RaeAnne and ZoraLin with Aunt Lin in 2003! My babies are growing up!! This was the first time that we actually traveled with other families who live in our neck of the woods. It will be such a joy to be so close to these two families who we share a bond with. At the same time our other travelmates were wonderful too and we only wish that they were closer to us as we will miss them bunches! We also met a family who's new daughter is from Tessa's orphanage and almost the same age as our girl. They were our rock for the first many days and if I had my way...their son's would be marrying a couple of my girls in 10 to 15 years! We can not begin to thank them enough for just being there for us! I hope that we can keep in touch with them and meet again soon.
My girls did something that most kids can only dream about doing. They actually held a baby white tiger on their laps and had their photo taken while they did it! The Safari Park is a must see, just go prepared with umbrellas for shade and lots of water to keep you cool. We spent a good solid four hours there and in hind sight, another day would have been a gift as there were so many things that we didn't get to see. Maybe on our next trip?!!
Meeting Tessa JiXing and bringing her home was the icing on the cake. I love China and I am never ready to leave there to come home. A part of my heart always stays in China when I leave. I guess just knowing that I am taking my daughters' from their homeland makes me very sad. Stopping back through Hong Kong and going to Disney there was a nice break. Again, I wish we had more time to spend there.
Our last night in Guangzhou was bittersweet. Packing to leave the birthplace of my children is never easy. The next morning was pouring rain as a typhoon was moving into the area. I felt like it was the tears I was holding back falling from the sky to keep me from having to shed them myself.
