We
always told Hope that someday we would bring her back to China to visit her
family and the national treasures she heard about but never saw. God ordained
an opportunity for an excellent fare on airline tickets…so the future became
today! The day before spring break Hope, Hailey, and I headed for the airport
for an incredible experience.
Our
trip was not without mishap! Before we even left Grand Rapids, we accepted a
“bump” and were awarded $400 each to take a pre-paid taxi ride to Detroit and
were given vouchers for dinner as well. Once we boarded, not one of us slept,
thanks to some very social passengers who liked to talk LOUDLY 4 feet from our
seats. Even after I shhhushed them in Chinese (yes, I was proud of that!)
another group of them gathered to socialize in their not so quiet voices.
First
stop: Beijing. Miraculously, God ordained a blue sky and light breeze for
us to explore the Great
Wall. We interacted with other Chinese groups—they laughed with us and us with
them—it was a welcome break to the panting and gasping from the steep climb.
We enjoyed the sights, but really enjoyed the
path PAST the allowed passage.
It
was more costly than expected, but we also splurged on a chute ride down the
incline.
Xie
xie, Chen Tai tai!
We
also visited the Forbidden City and closed it down. It was my third trip but
never have I been with someone who was so interested in the famous buildings.
Both Hailey and Hope recognized some of the buildings from the Chinese movies
Hope enjoys so much.
The
second day we visited the Summer Palace. It was a beautiful day again and we
enjoyed meandering through the grounds. We walked and explored for hours! Once
we decided that we were tired and wanted to go back to the hotel, it took at
least another hour to find our way out—we got so lost!!!
That
night, Hope was stricken with nerves about visiting her foster family. It made
for a very prickly evening, but through it all, she learned values of family.
It seems that every time Hope acts ugly, our relationship is refined as silver.
We aren’t leaving her. Her value doesn’t decline with
bad choices. The safest place is in Momma’s arms, not pushing her away.
We
loved Beijing, but the next stop was Kunming! It was another Horrible Flight
with turbulence, but once we arrived, Hope’s former teacher met us at the
airport. She melted into tears, but it meant the world to her. The next day her
teacher (and husband) insisted upon driving us to Hope’s foster village.
Originally, Hope told us it was a 4-5 hour trip…I was SOOOO glad that she was
exaggerating! We had planned on staying for lunch; we ended up staying for dinner
as well. Hope was able to meet an aunt and uncle she never knew before; she met
her younger foster brother for the first time (who was SO cute and needs a
forever family) and she connected with former friends. It was quite the
day—Hope was like a celebrity and people flocked
around her. Hope’s “older sister” in her foster family (who she knew before but
was only brought in to replace
Hope’s work once she was adopted) had talked to Hope over a year ago in a call
back home. She had asked Hope “Why were you chosen? Why not me?” which sent
Hope in a spiral of survivor’s guilt. Now she gave Hope gifts and told her that
Hope was her best friend. Hope even commented later about how her older brother
(the family’s bio son) was nicer to her. We exchanged gifts; I was VERY glad
that we purchased so many and Hope was tickled
that she chose the right size for everyone! After the many hours, we went
back to the hotel tired, satisfied, and burdened for those left behind.
The
next day we enjoyed over the bridge noodles for breakfast, taught Hope the art of
bartering for souvenirs, and headed back to the airport. Of course the
turbulence was horrid—we were experiencing weightlessness and people were using
their air sickness bags all around us. We landed in Shanghai and were greeted
by a driver—very welcomed sight! He did get lost trying to find our vehicle…but
we made it to the hotel in time for me to savor a glass of wine before bed.
The
best laid plans are not foolproof. Hailey has been dreaming of seeing a boy she
met when we lived in Shanghai 4 years ago. He was a resident of the Cere Care
Center—has CP and perhaps on the
spectrum for Autism. Dave has visited him with his trips to Shanghai with work
and has taken photos. But, when we traveled halfway across the world to visit
him… he was gone for the Tomb Sweeping holiday. Hailey was
heartbroken, but I tried to console her in saying that it meant that we would
just mean that we would return. J
Our
first night we were treated to a Shanghai-ese dinner by a friend of Dave’s. In
all our time in Shanghai 4 years ago, we never ate like we did that first
night! Bruce also procured tickets to the Shanghai acrobatics show—it was as
good now as it was years ago. Truly amazing what they make their bodies do!
A
dear friend met us at the Cere Center and then took us out
to lunch. She is supposed to be visiting Canada
this month and then coming to the states this summer…perhaps she will allow us
to show her the hospitality she showed us! I won’t make her eat pig’s feet,
however. J
A
final stop for the day was at the pearl market. I had gifts to buy for my bible
study ladies and Hailey had friend that she wanted to bless. We bartered and
bantered, we sought great buys and great jewelry. I was really wanting a new
pair of beaded sandals but the faces of my daughters said it was time to go…so
we headed out. A last minute purchase for hair accessories led to an elongated
browse…and then the bartering began in earnest. Hope had learned some of the
tricks of the trade and enjoyed haggling. She was definitely an asset as she
spoke Mandarin, which typically got the prices lower than we could get them. I
know enough Mandarin to get me in trouble, and after at least 10 minutes of
bartering back and forth, I heard the shopkeeper start to tell Hope, “ Really,
these things I would ask 100 kwai ($16)…” What I didn’t realize was that she
was going to offer a lower price…but I blurted out, “100 kuai???” and then I
zurburted on her. Raspberried. Made a very undistinguished sound
in her general direction, expressing my disgust. Honestly, I didn’t mean
it, but I was tired, bone tired, and exasperated to have to go through the
process AGAIN to buy a simple headband and comb for my girls. PRAISE GOD that
it caused everyone to erupt in laughter—including the shopkeeper! We ended up
getting a lower price than I imagined—AND the girl selling the
merchandise HUGGED me before I left! How uncharacteristic of a Chinese girl!!!
We still laugh about it today…although the story has morphed into me actually
spitting at the girl…which I will never admit to b/c it didn’t happen!
Very
early the next morning our flight home was changed from stopping in Japan to
being a direct flight. It was a long flight, we didn’t sleep, but it was a
necessary evil to get HOME. We hated to leave but were anxious to be home at
the same time.
Once
we returned to GR, our family greeted us with open arms and bear hugs. It took
the better part of a week to get over the jet lag (it’s always worse returning
home, isn’t it??!?) but it was good to be together again. There is something
about FAMILY…and that is where our heart is!
All
my best,
Amy
