Day 13 - Monday orphanage

We got up way early on Monday. Maelynn cried all through breakfast. I think she could tell something was up. Luckily there weren’t too many folks there. It cost 650 RMB to go or $81 US dollars. That was for both Logan and I. The others in the group were Dave from CA, Rose and Autumn from CO, Priscilla from Illinois, and Jane from VA. We had one driver and our guide, Kathy. They are all from CCAI. The driver was supplied through WS. It was a long ride. We stopped at a rest stop where I quickly mastered the squatty potty. Most places do have a ‘Western style’ potty so I had been spared so far. The squatty potty is a porcelain hole in the floor. There was also a market where we bought ice cream and a knife and sword store. The countryside was pretty. We took the highway most of the way there. It was very bumpy. The van had no shocks and we were in the back. God must have been with me because I did not feel car sick once! Logan was great in the van. On the way down he played his game boy and took a nap. We took plenty of snacks with us because I didn’t know what to expect for lunch.

We got to Huazhou about noon. The town seems very run down. There are places where there are new buildings. We saw a lot of ox and rice fields. We were lost and could not find the orphanage. Kathy was constantly calling the orphanage for directions. Finally, we found someone to lead us there. The outside grounds are all dirt. They say by the summer there will be a nice garden and a play ground. We met the director, assistant director, and the director in charge of babies. We were led to a reception room upstairs where they had bottled water and bananas. The bananas are grown locally. They are small and actually very sweet. They say the area is known for oranges like tangerines that have medicinal purposes. They are bitter and small. A lot of Huazhou is named based on these little oranges including the last name given to the babies at the orphanage (Ji).

They started us on the 5th floor and then to the 4th and 3rd. The 6th floor is special needs and they did not take us up there. Most of the babies the waiting families asked us to take pictures of were all in the same room. They did have to bring one girl in and she cried. She did not like being in the other babies room. The 5th floor were the older of the babies, but actually were about the same age as the babies on the 4th floor. The 3rd floor were the 1 year olds. We did not see the younger babies. I think that would be too much for us to handle. Each floor had their own play room connected. There are metal bars to keep the babies in and others out. I did not feel that it was not safe, but I have seen the babies climb! They would rest in bewteen 2 cribs in a straddle position. It was difficult to see the all the babies. I think one of the reasons is the clothes they wear are drab and old. All the babies around the WS look so good because of the love they are receiving and the colorful clothes they wear. I don’t know if that makes sense or not. Kathy had never been to an orphanage before and cried. It is great to see other Chinese touched by the babies situations. The director said last year 94 were adopted out and only 80 came in. The orphanage needs toys, decorations, air conditioners, medicine for scabies (with directions translated). Our hearts were heavy as we left the orphanage.

The director took us to a place for lunch. It didn’t look like a restaurant. Downstairs were live animals. It was fish, lobster, ducks, chicken, etc. We were taken to a room with a table with lazy susan, tv, and a couch. The driver rested a bit. Kathy asked what we would like. We gave her some ideas and then let the director place our order. They brought out fish (head and all), sliced pork, sweet and sour pork, refried rice, sweet potatoes, watermelon, green veggies, French fries, etc. Everyone ate with chopsticks but Logan and I. Logan ate the sliced pork and that was it. He wouldn’t even eat the fries. I ate a lot and it was good! We were able to ask the director a lot of additional questions. Our group paid for the meal for Kathy, the driver, and the 2 directors. We each paid about 50 RMB.

The director went back to the orphanage after lunch. The assistant director showed us one of the finding places. One of them was on a busy street. Joan risked life and limb to get photos and video. Another was at an elementary school that was 20 minutes away. The kids all came out when they saw us. The teacher remembered Rose’s baby. It was great to see and feel all the energy the kids have. Our finding place (where the baby is found) was at the orphanage gate. We did not get to go to one place because it was too far away. I know that was very difficult for Priscilla.

It was a difficult emotional day. It was a long drive back to the hotel. Logan played with Autumn in the back of the van. He invited her to our room and our house. She is 13 and lives in CO. We got back late and we were exhausted. Maelynn was already asleep. I wonder if she will reject me on Tuesday for leaving her for a whole day. We'll see.