I've been asked what do we do when we're not at appointments or touring. At the pace our guide keeps us, we don't have much time that we are in our hotel room.
Casi and I agree that we miss home (family). We would leave right now if we could. We count off the days on our fingers at least once everyday. We talk about what we would do if we were home right now. We try to watch TV, but are weary of Chinese programs (the women cry all the time). We read books. We play WAR often and the games usually end in a tie. We don't have to boil water as on previous trips, so we have more spare time. We watch the phone/clock awaiting a call from home. We wish we were home.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Ping Yao
10am Left the hotel for Ping Yao, the ancient treasury city of China. Shanxi Province (before Mao took over, it was called Sanjin Province) is part of the cradle of Chinese culture. PY is on the UNESCO list of historical preservation sites.
Our 1 ½ hour drive took us thru East(Dong) and West(Xi) ranges of the TianLong (SkyDragon) Mountains. Shanxi people are called the Dragon People. The legend began with the 10th Emperor who was from Shanxi Province. The three mountain ranges near the rectangular city of Taiyuan are called SkyDragon, BigDragon(BaLong), and SmallDragon (XiaoLong).
After leaving the mountains, we entered farm country. The corn is waist high right now and as with everything else, is coated with coal dust. Strip mining operations abound in Shanxi Province. Respiratory cancers and poverty make this one of the poorest provinces in China.When we arrived at PingYao, we switched from a car to a dian-dong-che (motorized rickshaw). The only automobiles allowed inside the tall fortress walls of the city belong to residents. PY is 1700 years old, built in the Han Dynasty.
Our first three stops on the tour were of the Tao, Buddhist and Confucius temples. At that point, I asked if there were any more temples. No? Good. Casi and I did not accept the many invitations to enter the temples or to burn incense for a prayer.
We moved on to visit the Body Guard Agency which provided protection for the transport of monies and officials. Remember, this was almost two thousand years ago. Next we visited the local Bank and saw the underground gold and silver vaults as well as the accountants’ offices. There were other sites, but Casi was tired of the walking thru dusty old buildings so we looked for a source of lunch.
Our guide once again, did well choosing a quaint restaurant with delicious authentic local foods. She ordered three dishes that we shared, again using chopsticks, no forks! Garlic broccoli and RouXiaMo with pork&seasoning. The pork mixture is spooned inside the slit of the rouxiamo. Canned drinks were a treat after days of nothing but water.
Christina and I enjoyed talking about family, God and some politics. Apparently Pres. Bush is disliked by many Chinese because of the war he “started.” I asked her if she’d heard of 911. She said Yes, and remembered where she was that day. She became thoughtfully quiet when I asked What would you do to a group of people who entered your country, destroyed properties and killed thousands of innocent citizens?.
Our last property to visit was a family residence of 25 rooms. The paint was fading, yet, from the detailed wood trim and ornately carved stone stairways and benches, it was apparent that this must have been elegant in the days of its private family ownership. Sadly, during the Cultural Revolution (1969-76) the family was driven from their ancestral home of many generations. No one has lived there since.
One interesting design I noticed in several locations were “heated” beds. There's a picture of one in the Slideshow. You'll see the stack of white pillows on a red bed. Imagine a hip high platform bordered by the three stone walls of a narrow room and a brick covering of the fourth side. Underneath is an area for a coal fire which heat the entire area under the bed. I’m thinking fire water buckets must be nearby.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
10am Left the hotel for <
Our 1 ½ hour drive took us thru East(Dong) and West(Xi) ranges of the TianLong (SkyDragon) Mountains. Shanxi people are called the Dragon People. The legend began with the 10th Emperor who was from Shanxi Province. The three mountain ranges near the rectangular city or Taiyuan are called SkyDragon, BigDragon(BaLong), and SmallDragon (XiaoLong).
After leaving the mountains, we entered farm country. The corn is waist high right now and as with everything else, is coated with coal dust. Strip mining operations abound in Shanxi Province. Respiratory cancers and poverty make this one of the poorest provinces in China.
When we arrived at PingYao, we switched from a car to a dian-dong-che (motorized rickshaw). The only automobiles allowed inside the tall fortress walls of the city belong to residents. PY is 1700 years old, built in the Han Dynasty.
Our first three stops on the tour were of the Tao, Buddhist and Confucius temples. At that point, I asked if there were any more temples. No? Good. Casi and I did not accept the many invitations to enter the temples or to burn incense for a prayer.
We moved on to visit the Body Guard Agency which provided protection for the transport of monies and officials. Remember, this was almost two thousand years ago. Next we visited the local Bank and saw the underground gold and silver vaults as well as the accountants’ offices. There were other sites, but Casi was tired of the walking thru dusty old buildings J so we looked for a source of lunch.
Our guide once again, did well choosing a quaint restaurant with delicious authentic local foods. She ordered three dishes that we shared, again using chopsticks, no forks! Garlic broccoli, , and . The .. is spooned inside the slit …. Canned drinks were a treat after days of nothing but water.
Christina and I enjoyed talking about family, God and some politics. Apparently Pres. Bush is disliked by many Chinese because of the war he “started.” I asked her if she’d heard of 911. She said Yes and remembered where she was that day. She became thoughtfully quiet when I asked What would you have done to a group of people who entered your country, destroyed properties and killed thousands of innocent citizens?.
Our last property to visit was a family residence of 25 rooms. The paint was fading yet from the detailed wood trim and ornately carved stone stairways and benches, it was apparent that this must have been elegant in the days of private family ownership. Sadly, during the Cultural Revolution (19) the family was driven from their ancestral home of many generations. No one has lived there since.
One interesting design I noticed in several locations were “heated” beds. Imagine a hip high platform bordered by three stone walls of a narrow room and a brick covering of the fourth side. Underneath is an area for a coal fire which heat the entire area under the bed. I’m thinking fire water buckets must be nearby.
Our 1 ½ hour drive took us thru East(Dong) and West(Xi) ranges of the TianLong (SkyDragon) Mountains. Shanxi people are called the Dragon People. The legend began with the 10th Emperor who was from Shanxi Province. The three mountain ranges near the rectangular city or Taiyuan are called SkyDragon, BigDragon(BaLong), and SmallDragon (XiaoLong).
After leaving the mountains, we entered farm country. The corn is waist high right now and as with everything else, is coated with coal dust. Strip mining operations abound in Shanxi Province. Respiratory cancers and poverty make this one of the poorest provinces in China.
When we arrived at PingYao, we switched from a car to a dian-dong-che (motorized rickshaw). The only automobiles allowed inside the tall fortress walls of the city belong to residents. PY is 1700 years old, built in the Han Dynasty.
Our first three stops on the tour were of the Tao, Buddhist and Confucius temples. At that point, I asked if there were any more temples. No? Good. Casi and I did not accept the many invitations to enter the temples or to burn incense for a prayer.
We moved on to visit the Body Guard Agency which provided protection for the transport of monies and officials. Remember, this was almost two thousand years ago. Next we visited the local Bank and saw the underground gold and silver vaults as well as the accountants’ offices. There were other sites, but Casi was tired of the walking thru dusty old buildings J so we looked for a source of lunch.
Our guide once again, did well choosing a quaint restaurant with delicious authentic local foods. She ordered three dishes that we shared, again using chopsticks, no forks! Garlic broccoli, , and . The .. is spooned inside the slit …. Canned drinks were a treat after days of nothing but water.
Christina and I enjoyed talking about family, God and some politics. Apparently Pres. Bush is disliked by many Chinese because of the war he “started.” I asked her if she’d heard of 911. She said Yes and remembered where she was that day. She became thoughtfully quiet when I asked What would you have done to a group of people who entered your country, destroyed properties and killed thousands of innocent citizens?.
Our last property to visit was a family residence of 25 rooms. The paint was fading yet from the detailed wood trim and ornately carved stone stairways and benches, it was apparent that this must have been elegant in the days of private family ownership. Sadly, during the Cultural Revolution (19) the family was driven from their ancestral home of many generations. No one has lived there since.
One interesting design I noticed in several locations were “heated” beds. Imagine a hip high platform bordered by three stone walls of a narrow room and a brick covering of the fourth side. Underneath is an area for a coal fire which heat the entire area under the bed. I’m thinking fire water buckets must be nearby.
Around Taiyuan Town
The following are not meant to insult, rather they are what I see and hear. Please remember that the people here are wonderfully kind and friendly.
Foliage is abundant, yet their varied hues of green dusted with a fine coating of silt. This is the coal mining area of China. Also there are many steel factories.
Buildings appear unfinished—it’s as if something is missing—trim? contrast colors? You just have a sense of incompleteness.
Government buildings win the prize for greatest lack of creativity or style. They are usually drab, grayish brick or block constructions with large dirty plate glass windows. If the architect was feeling festive, there might be a Lion statue in front. Two lions are a Wow!
Anyone with a disability cannot receive a driver's license.
Anyone of any age can purchase alchoholic beverages and cigarettes.
News Flash! I am told that the Olympic Mountain Bike Racing event is in Taiyuan. So, you can see the mountains and farm land for yourself! Maybe a bit of Taiyuan and PingYao too, if it’s a slow news day.
Photo help needed
I've got pictures, lots of pictures, that I want to link to this blog.
I also have a Photobucket album, but it's for our last adoption.
Any suggestions how I can link pics here?
I just know that someone has a solution for me.
I just know that someone has a solution for me.
You're welcome to post a comment below or send an email to me.
thanks!
thanks!
Things I Don't See at Home
Shopkeeper washing steps with bowl of water
and handmade broom.
A car so close to my vehicle that I could reach out and touch the driver.
Elegantly dressed ladies sitting straight and tall as they ride their bike.
Large crowds of people quietly reading in
the book department at their local WalMart.
Babies strapped in the rear metal carrier,
on a fast moving bike, behind MaMa or BaBa.
Spittoons and their users
Chinese lady tourists climbing the
Great Wall in heels
(their balance and agility is impressive)
And at the top of the list during this trip:
Seeing so many bare bellies! Guys fold up their shirts as they sit or walk around town.
Insert: The Process to Foster Ting
Do you know why I blog? So that my adoptive children will have a journal of how they came to join our family. If I didn't publicly commit to this, it'd never happen. So thanks for helping me :-)
May 2005 A local chinese friend checked our agency's translation of Dang Xiyuan's Social & Development papers. The name Dang Ting was written as the person Xiyuan is closest to. Our current agency had "failed" to translate this info. We decided to find out if DT's file is at CCAA and if we can adopt both girls at same time.
June 2005 Talked with Amy at our agency, LV. She sounded as if they were not interested to help. With all of the other issues we were suffering thru by using them, we concluded to not talk about this again with them.
Decided to post request for info to all listed China agencies.
July 2005 Received reply from three agencies. Two had DT's file in past without placement. One, ****, did not have her file but offered to inquire of CCAA in Beijing. Also said they could tell us how to bring a child to US for medical fostering. Began the process of learning what to do. Meanwhile **** agency contacted her orphanage and the director agreed to allow her to come to US for med treatment!
August 2005 Prepared Letter of Request to CCAA to adopt both girls at same time. Never heard a response, so began considering med fostering.
Began contacting local opthalmologists to find fee-waived help for an international orphan. Made "good" contact at Dean McGee Eye Institute of OKC.
August 2005-March 2006 This is where things were very weird although I didn't find out until much later. Two different dmei employees, one after the other on our timeline, said they were working on getting assistance of a DMEI physician. When a third dmei replacement took over, we found out that the other two women had talked with no one! Weird; they'd take my calls, ask for info and docs, tell me things were "coming together" yet had never never talked with a doctor or the clinic...
March 30, 2006 Dr. H called me on our cell-He has reviewed video and pics of DT and feels certain what must be done for her. He wants to help her and has done this for Russian orphans in the past. He'll arrange everything at DMEI clinic so there will be no fees to China or US. It will happen!!
March 31, 2006 We and DMEI wrote to US Embassy Beijing on behalf of DT, asking for B1/B2 Visa.
June-July 2006 Visa denied twice; we requested specific issues to address
August 15, 2006 Rec'd reply from US Embassy Beijing explaining orphanage dir could reapply for visa interview. Also gave 6 points which need further information and documentation. All are doable and someone will coach director for interview. Now if the swi director will agree to return for another visa appointment...
Feb 2007 Mr. R. M of visa division of US Embassy Beijing called our home to talk with me. Questions were all covered in letters and documentation that we had provided to them, so easy to answer. Guess he just wanted to hear my voice :-)
Feb 2007 Rec'd word from Mr. R.M of bjs embassy that he will issue her visa and we can travel within a month.
God's timing is curious. My surgery (breast cancer) is scheduled in early March. We delay my travel to pick up DT until late April, giving me time to recover.
April 20, 2007 Janise and I travel to Beijing. Yang Quan staff bring DT to our hotel on the 22nd. We fly home on the 23rd.
It finally happened and took only two years. But God had a plan and worked it all out.
May 2005 A local chinese friend checked our agency's translation of Dang Xiyuan's Social & Development papers. The name Dang Ting was written as the person Xiyuan is closest to. Our current agency had "failed" to translate this info. We decided to find out if DT's file is at CCAA and if we can adopt both girls at same time.
June 2005 Talked with Amy at our agency, LV. She sounded as if they were not interested to help. With all of the other issues we were suffering thru by using them, we concluded to not talk about this again with them.
Decided to post request for info to all listed China agencies.
July 2005 Received reply from three agencies. Two had DT's file in past without placement. One, ****, did not have her file but offered to inquire of CCAA in Beijing. Also said they could tell us how to bring a child to US for medical fostering. Began the process of learning what to do. Meanwhile **** agency contacted her orphanage and the director agreed to allow her to come to US for med treatment!
August 2005 Prepared Letter of Request to CCAA to adopt both girls at same time. Never heard a response, so began considering med fostering.
Began contacting local opthalmologists to find fee-waived help for an international orphan. Made "good" contact at Dean McGee Eye Institute of OKC.
August 2005-March 2006 This is where things were very weird although I didn't find out until much later. Two different dmei employees, one after the other on our timeline, said they were working on getting assistance of a DMEI physician. When a third dmei replacement took over, we found out that the other two women had talked with no one! Weird; they'd take my calls, ask for info and docs, tell me things were "coming together" yet had never never talked with a doctor or the clinic...
March 30, 2006 Dr. H called me on our cell-He has reviewed video and pics of DT and feels certain what must be done for her. He wants to help her and has done this for Russian orphans in the past. He'll arrange everything at DMEI clinic so there will be no fees to China or US. It will happen!!
March 31, 2006 We and DMEI wrote to US Embassy Beijing on behalf of DT, asking for B1/B2 Visa.
June-July 2006 Visa denied twice; we requested specific issues to address
August 15, 2006 Rec'd reply from US Embassy Beijing explaining orphanage dir could reapply for visa interview. Also gave 6 points which need further information and documentation. All are doable and someone will coach director for interview. Now if the swi director will agree to return for another visa appointment...
Feb 2007 Mr. R. M of visa division of US Embassy Beijing called our home to talk with me. Questions were all covered in letters and documentation that we had provided to them, so easy to answer. Guess he just wanted to hear my voice :-)
Feb 2007 Rec'd word from Mr. R.M of bjs embassy that he will issue her visa and we can travel within a month.
God's timing is curious. My surgery (breast cancer) is scheduled in early March. We delay my travel to pick up DT until late April, giving me time to recover.
April 20, 2007 Janise and I travel to Beijing. Yang Quan staff bring DT to our hotel on the 22nd. We fly home on the 23rd.
It finally happened and took only two years. But God had a plan and worked it all out.
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