And our trip continues
On Sunday morning our group visited Shaiman Island again. There was a church there. It was an "official" Christian church in China which means it is accepted and "governed" by the country. The service was in Chinese and it was a woman speaking (preaching?). The door was open so we just peeked inside but decided not to stay. So we walked around the Island and then came back to the hotel. We walked to Starbucks for a late lunch (scone and muffin) and walked to a nice grocery store not too far away. When we were getting ready to leave it was pouring rain so we hung around until the rain let up a little and then booked it back to the hotel.
The language barrier in China is unbelievable. It's not the same as an English/Spanish gap. We couldn't have taken a cab back in the rain because we really couldn't communicate with the driver to take us to the Asia International Hotel. Every time we take a cab we have to have a little card with our destinations written in Chinese.
Last night we ate at a Japanese restaurant in our hotel. It was tasty and so much cheaper than in the states. Shawn ordered sushi and a 4 or 5 course meal. Selah and I ate noodles (her favorite) in soup with roasted pork and veggies. Our total bill after tax and tip was less than $15. I'm getting a little weary of eating out or snacking for every meal. Especially now that we have a baby with us. We have yet to see a functioning high chair.
The other night when we were walking back from the store there were several children (ages 3-6ish) walking the streets with a parent begging us for money. One little boy latched on hard to one of our bags and wouldn't let go. Shawn persisted though and the boy finally let go. I don't think he would have been too happy with a bag of green tea. It is so hard to be gracious when you're asked for money every block. At least we can pray.
How I miss our little boys Easton and Jonas! It is hard for me to hear their little voices when we call home. It makes me miss them more. I miss knowing what they're eating for breakfast and lunch...the little things. I'm so thankful I can stay at home with them regularly. It sounds like they are having a good time with their grandparents though, and it is so comforting to know that they are being well taken care of and loved. Thank you again Grandmas and Grandpa and Granddad! We can't wait for Selah to meet the boys.
This morning our paperwork was reviewed by the Consulate so we had to wait around our hotel room in case they needed to call us with any questions. This afternoon Shawn and I took a cab to a different shopping area and got Selah a couple traditional outfits and trinkets that are significant to China. Then we went to a museum and saw some beautiful Chinese folk art and sculpture. Our group ate at Thai restaurant tonight called The Banana Leaf. It was fun and good food. We ate family style.
Tomorrow we have a swearing in ceremony and group picture, but most of our time is free. We'll need to pack and repack. Everyone is getting excited about coming home. The time has gone by quickly since we have had a pretty full schedule. But it is getting tiring living out of a suitcase and boiling all our drinking water and washing bowls and spoons and bottle parts and then sterilizing them with boiling water since the faucet water is so dangerous. Time is spent looking for extra Cheerios somewhere in the suitcase, preparing Selah's food to take in our backpack while we're out for our appointments, making sure we have enough Chinese yuan (money), getting out our paperwork and then locking it back up in the safe...
Selah has been such a trooper. She hasn't been able to have a normal schedule since we're on the go so much. Fortunately, she'll nap in my hip carrier while we're out and about. We have only had her a week now but it seems like she has been a part of the Young family forever. We can't stop kissing her and smiling at her. Yes, I know our love may be very carnal right now because we think she is cute, but nevertheless our affection toward her hasn't been any different (in our experience) from our affection toward our two boys. The Lord gave us our boys just as He has given us Selah to raise. None of our children come from us, but from Him.
It is a little strange being here in China with a group of Americans, all with our Chinese daughters. We do get a lot of looks. But, can you imagine being in a park in America and whole bus full of Chinese pulls up. They get off with American babies strapped to their side and they are talking to them in Chinese and getting ready to take them back to China to raise? Its just a bit of a strange thing. This One-Child policy. I haven't been able to understand it in being here just two weeks.
Selah and Shawn are asleep so I'll sign off now. Please pray that we'll have a smooth trip home. I think we travel for about 24 hours again. I need to start praying that Selah will be able to sleep on the planes. Only two more days until we're home!
The language barrier in China is unbelievable. It's not the same as an English/Spanish gap. We couldn't have taken a cab back in the rain because we really couldn't communicate with the driver to take us to the Asia International Hotel. Every time we take a cab we have to have a little card with our destinations written in Chinese.
Last night we ate at a Japanese restaurant in our hotel. It was tasty and so much cheaper than in the states. Shawn ordered sushi and a 4 or 5 course meal. Selah and I ate noodles (her favorite) in soup with roasted pork and veggies. Our total bill after tax and tip was less than $15. I'm getting a little weary of eating out or snacking for every meal. Especially now that we have a baby with us. We have yet to see a functioning high chair.
The other night when we were walking back from the store there were several children (ages 3-6ish) walking the streets with a parent begging us for money. One little boy latched on hard to one of our bags and wouldn't let go. Shawn persisted though and the boy finally let go. I don't think he would have been too happy with a bag of green tea. It is so hard to be gracious when you're asked for money every block. At least we can pray.
How I miss our little boys Easton and Jonas! It is hard for me to hear their little voices when we call home. It makes me miss them more. I miss knowing what they're eating for breakfast and lunch...the little things. I'm so thankful I can stay at home with them regularly. It sounds like they are having a good time with their grandparents though, and it is so comforting to know that they are being well taken care of and loved. Thank you again Grandmas and Grandpa and Granddad! We can't wait for Selah to meet the boys.
This morning our paperwork was reviewed by the Consulate so we had to wait around our hotel room in case they needed to call us with any questions. This afternoon Shawn and I took a cab to a different shopping area and got Selah a couple traditional outfits and trinkets that are significant to China. Then we went to a museum and saw some beautiful Chinese folk art and sculpture. Our group ate at Thai restaurant tonight called The Banana Leaf. It was fun and good food. We ate family style.
Tomorrow we have a swearing in ceremony and group picture, but most of our time is free. We'll need to pack and repack. Everyone is getting excited about coming home. The time has gone by quickly since we have had a pretty full schedule. But it is getting tiring living out of a suitcase and boiling all our drinking water and washing bowls and spoons and bottle parts and then sterilizing them with boiling water since the faucet water is so dangerous. Time is spent looking for extra Cheerios somewhere in the suitcase, preparing Selah's food to take in our backpack while we're out for our appointments, making sure we have enough Chinese yuan (money), getting out our paperwork and then locking it back up in the safe...
Selah has been such a trooper. She hasn't been able to have a normal schedule since we're on the go so much. Fortunately, she'll nap in my hip carrier while we're out and about. We have only had her a week now but it seems like she has been a part of the Young family forever. We can't stop kissing her and smiling at her. Yes, I know our love may be very carnal right now because we think she is cute, but nevertheless our affection toward her hasn't been any different (in our experience) from our affection toward our two boys. The Lord gave us our boys just as He has given us Selah to raise. None of our children come from us, but from Him.
It is a little strange being here in China with a group of Americans, all with our Chinese daughters. We do get a lot of looks. But, can you imagine being in a park in America and whole bus full of Chinese pulls up. They get off with American babies strapped to their side and they are talking to them in Chinese and getting ready to take them back to China to raise? Its just a bit of a strange thing. This One-Child policy. I haven't been able to understand it in being here just two weeks.
Selah and Shawn are asleep so I'll sign off now. Please pray that we'll have a smooth trip home. I think we travel for about 24 hours again. I need to start praying that Selah will be able to sleep on the planes. Only two more days until we're home!
posted by Shawn at
Monday, November 27, 2006
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