Wednesday, June 29, 2011
ORPHANAGE VISIT AND HUMBLE
ADMINISTRATOR'S GARDEN
Today turned out to be a very busy day for us; we got up early
to catch a bullet train to Suzhou and when we met the guide in
the lobby she informed us that the fastest way to get to the
train station was to take the subway, which was about 10 blocks
from the hotel. Luckily we had purchased a stroller for Callie
yesterday, since she tires easily with too much exertion. So we
basically jogged 10 blocks to the subway station dragging our
luggage for our overnight trip to Suzhou, hopped on the subway
to the train station, and literally jumped on the train just as
it was about to pull out of the station. We were all soaking wet
with sweat when we arrived; the heat was brutal even that early
in the morning.
We made it to Suzhou, where a driver took us to the orphanage.
We were taken to an office, where we waited for the orphanage
director to be introduced to us. He came in and introduced
himself and then told us he would meet us later for lunch. We
were then given a tour of the orphanage, where we were taken to
the room where Callie stayed with less than a dozen other kids
around her age. They were eating lunch when we arrived, and we
were allowed to take photos of them at the table and of Callie’s
bed where she slept, which was in an adjoining room. Her ayis
all came to tell her goodbye, and she presented them al l with
gifts and posed for photos with them. They all seemed very happy
for her, and presented her with several gifts as well. It was
obvious that she was well loved and taken care of, one ayi burst
into tears and could not stop sobbing as we left. We assured
them we would keep in touch and send photos and updates of her
in her new home. We had been worried that Callie would think
that we were taking her back to the orphanage to stay, so we
asked the guide to tell her on the way that we were just going
to say goodbye and that she would leave with Mama and Baba.
While she was there she hugged the nannies and happily posed for
photos, but after each goodbye she would return to her spot
between Maili and Holt and take their hands.
After our tour we were taken to a private banquet room, where
course after course of delicious food appeared. The orphanage
director joined us and with us with our guide translating,
thanked us for coming and offered a toast. The meal was
delicious and we were able to talk to some of the orphanage
employees and find out that Callie was actually told about her
new family when we sent her the first gift package, about a
month before our arrival. They said that they talked to her
regularly about her new family coming to get her soon. We had
wondered why she seemed so accepting of us and so well prepared.
She has simply blended into our family so seamlessly that we are
still in awe. She accepted us completely from day one and she is
so sweet and agreeable that we can’t believe our good fortune.
Many orphanage employees came out to tell her goodbye and wish
her well ; it is obvious that she was well known and well liked
by the staff, her sunny little personality simply lights up a
room.
After leaving the orphanage we returned to our hotel, where we
checked in and then left again to meet up with an online friend
who currently lives in Suzhou. She took us to tour the Humble
Administrator’s Garden, one of Suzhou‘s many beautiful gardens
for which it is known. After touring the garden, we joined she
and her family for dinner at a local hot pot restaurant, where
diners at each table could select their own variety of fresh
foods and then cook them in the hotpot at the center of the
table. The food was delicious and a really neat dining
experience. It was great to enjoy some American company and good
conversation and the visit ended all too soon. All three of the
kids fell asleep on the van ride back to the hotel, and the best
part was that Callie crawled up in my lap, snuggled up in my
arms, and fell sound asleep. A perfect end to a perfect day. |
Sound asleep
With Maili at the orphanage gates
Touring the orphanage
Rock, paper, scissors
With the orphanage officials |
