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Sunday, March 4, 2012

We are in China

Cathy, Moya and Andie met each other in Beijing on Friday evening after a very ( very) long day of travel and travelled on to Zhenzhou, Henan. Our travel mates did not show and we found out in Zhengzhou that their first flight had been cancelled and a storm made them miss their connection to Beijing. They joined us 24 hours later.That first day, we travelled up the road to Wal Mart. The desk clerk had directed us to Manhattan Street. Hmmm...really? Maybe we misheard?  But we walked up the block and sure enough, there was a large statue of a bull just like the one on Wall Street. So we found Manhattan street...and Wal-Mart. We bought some floor mats for Gracie's Room and headed back to the hotel. We will buy other orphanage supplies in XinXiang as we are weighed down by donations now.
That evening we headed back up that way for dinner and passes a square with many people dancing, Andie garnered quite a bit of attention perhaps because she was with two Caucasian women. She has had a few chances to practice her Chinese.
Sunday morning we headed out to Longman Grottoes to see the many Buddhas carved in stone centuries ( and centuries) ago. There was one particularly dramatic cave called the ten thousand Buddha cave where there was one enormous carving of Buddha and then thousands of Buddhas only 4 cm high carved in the rock.
Upon returning to the hotel, we were met by Rebekka from Swallow's Nest foster homes run by ex pats and English teachers Clay and Pam who have four foster home here in Zhengzhou currently caring for 33 children. We visited the home with eight two-year-olds. Now there was some energy,!! Every one of those children-all identified as special needs-is precious! At Swallow's Nest, they receive loving care and nurturing that shows in their playfulness and energy. Just before we left,  one enterprising boy was on his back on the floor, making his own music by banging his feet on the piano. Within minutes, three of his friends had joined him. Quite clever, these sweet things. Rebekka took time to answer our questions. We were thrilled to learn three of these children will join their forever families in the next few months.
After a perfect meal of dumplings and noodle soup in the hotel restaurant, we hit the sack. Tomorrow we head to XinXiang. I can't wait to see the kids!!

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