Friday,
June 22, 2007
So I am writing the update today. Although writing isn't exactly
my cup of tea, my mom needs a much deserved break. My apologies
if it is not up to par with Mom's.
Today was pretty relaxed. As usual, we went down to breakfast
and chowed down on yummy omelets and little chocolate pies. We
planned on going for a walk before Jude's nap, but he decided to
zonk out early, around noon. So, the orderly and responsible
ladies that we are, Mom and I got started on organizing our
stuff to be packed. Okay, Mom did most of it. I looked like I
was sort of helping, but I was actually watching Dodgeball. Jude
woke up around 2-ish, so we finally got out the the hotel, and
into 100% humidity. The sky was overcast and it was pretty
obvious that it was going to rain, but we really wanted to see
Westlake Park before we left for Guangzhou. Anyways, as we
walked, dozens of probing Chinese eyes watched us. We were so
taken with the beauty of the city, but whenever we found a pair
of unyielding eyes, we were reminded of our conspicuity. Even
our most winning smiles brought little levity and were rarely
returned. Mom and I finally figured out why it is so unsettling.
It feels like there is a challenge in their gazes. They
blatantly stare at us and their eyes say, "Well whatcha gonna do
about it?" My Chinese friend explained to me that staring in
China is not considered impolite. She was shocked when I told
her that in America, staring is considered rude and invasive.
They are probably just curious. Fuzhou isn't exactly a tourist
mecca and not a lot of adopting families go through here. Or
maybe they are just wowed by our "movie star" beauty and our
incredibly dashing Chinese leading man. ;]
Anyways, despite the suffocating humidity, the walk was
beautiful. I wish that we had gone earlier in the week so we
would have had time to explore the entire park. As you can see
from the pictures, it was gorgeous. And it was kept surprisingly
clean, too. It's funny, the park, if it had been in America,
would have been pretty but unremarkable. However, because it is
in China, we "oh" and "ah" all over it and take oodles of
pictures of everything. And we looked like such tourists, too. I
had the two-ton camera around my neck AND my little handy-dandy
one around my wrist. And we wonder why everyone stares at us.
After about 45 minutes, Mom, Jude and I were a little hot and
sweaty. And by "a little," I mean, hot enough where I thought
that jumping into the lake sounded like a good idea. Jude has
turned into, as Mom says, a "Velcro Baby" so she carried him the
entire way. By the time she finally put him down back at the
hotel, there was a huge sweat spot, marking where Jude had been.
We got back to the room and chilled until 4. Then we headed to
the Provincial offices to get Jude's passport. I am glad that we
got that taken care of, but it wasn't very interesting. Oh,
except for when the guy was checking Mom's passport. He looked
at her then her passport photo then her again and then back.
Then he asked Mom to spell her name. I guess he was really
having doubts as to her identity. But eventually, she passed his
scrutiny.
And finally, one of the best parts of the day. We went to a
Japanese steakhouse in our hotel with the other family in our
group. Dinner was amazing. Maybe it is just because I have been
deprived of good food while in China (I am kind of a picky
eater. No pig intestines for me, thank you), but I practically
hugged the guy who made our food. It was nine courses, almost
all of them cooked in front of us. I would describe all the
food, but 1) it would take awhile 2) I am kind of tired and 3) I
might start drooling. Slight exaggeration on number 3 there, if
you didn't catch that.
So right now, Jude and Mom are sleeping. And I am jealous. So I
am going to go.
Good night from Fuzhou!
|
Enjoying the beautiful view
at Westlake Park in Fuzhou
Superstar!
No smiles from Jude, he was too hot!
Stunning scenery
Pleasure Ground? What's that?!
After the perfect meal |
