On day five, we started the day by walking around the gardens of Hangzhou. There is a lake, West Lake, surrounded by many gardens and beautiful bridges. The area was better than we remembered. It was cleaned up, the plants were very green, and the water was clear. Some of the bridges were very significant to us and we wanted to find them again. One of the bridges is a small bridge and has little stone figures of Chinese lions on it. We have a picture of me when my 
parents got me and one of when we went back in 2001 with one of the lions. The other bridge is one that my family and I sat on in 1995 and 2001. The picture that was taken there was used for the adoption a
nnouncement we sent out when I was adopted. We found these bridges again and took more pictures of us on them now. We walked along for a long time and had fun looking at the different things going on. In the park we saw cats that we believe are feral, eating dried ducks and playing on the sidewalks. Before going back to our hotel, we stopped at a restaurant to eat lunch. We didn’t really get what we ordered, but we did have chicken feet on our plates. Then my dad ate a pepper that was very spicy. His eyes watered and he got a nose-bleed. After that, we went back to our hotel and met our guide, Rebecca. Then we drove two hours to Yiwu, where my orphanage is. The drive was really interesting because along side the highway, are rural farms and houses. There were controlled fires burning and people were farming. The farmers wore traditional hats and lived in old, small concrete buildings. There was also some kind of farming that I had never heard of before, Pearl farming. The farmers have normal bottles floating on the surface of a pond and then have a string hanging down. On the string are clusters of oysters and the farmers put little rocks in them. The oysters eventually put a substance around the rock, thus making the pearl. Yiwu is known for being a big commodities market. When we drove in, we saw many shops and stores selling a variety of items and materials. We drove straight to the Yiuw Social Welfare Institute, which is an orphanage and elderly housing complex. 
First we went to see Mr. He, the assistant director of the orphanage. He showed us old records of different people who where adopted from there and we found my record. Everyone called me by my Chinese name, Ni Mei. All of the babies and kids have a name that includes “Ni.” Most of the kids are special needs. We played with them for a while and then went out to dinner with two of the boys 
from the orphanage, two women who help, and the Mr. He. There was so much food! For the whole dinner, the waitresses just kept bringing out more food. It was delicious. Later at the hotel, the director came and talked with us. The meeting was brief, but nice. He was not the director when I was there. Tomorrow we’re going to the Civil Affairs Bureau, the place where I was found.
parents got me and one of when we went back in 2001 with one of the lions. The other bridge is one that my family and I sat on in 1995 and 2001. The picture that was taken there was used for the adoption a
nnouncement we sent out when I was adopted. We found these bridges again and took more pictures of us on them now. We walked along for a long time and had fun looking at the different things going on. In the park we saw cats that we believe are feral, eating dried ducks and playing on the sidewalks. Before going back to our hotel, we stopped at a restaurant to eat lunch. We didn’t really get what we ordered, but we did have chicken feet on our plates. Then my dad ate a pepper that was very spicy. His eyes watered and he got a nose-bleed. After that, we went back to our hotel and met our guide, Rebecca. Then we drove two hours to Yiwu, where my orphanage is. The drive was really interesting because along side the highway, are rural farms and houses. There were controlled fires burning and people were farming. The farmers wore traditional hats and lived in old, small concrete buildings. There was also some kind of farming that I had never heard of before, Pearl farming. The farmers have normal bottles floating on the surface of a pond and then have a string hanging down. On the string are clusters of oysters and the farmers put little rocks in them. The oysters eventually put a substance around the rock, thus making the pearl. Yiwu is known for being a big commodities market. When we drove in, we saw many shops and stores selling a variety of items and materials. We drove straight to the Yiuw Social Welfare Institute, which is an orphanage and elderly housing complex. 
First we went to see Mr. He, the assistant director of the orphanage. He showed us old records of different people who where adopted from there and we found my record. Everyone called me by my Chinese name, Ni Mei. All of the babies and kids have a name that includes “Ni.” Most of the kids are special needs. We played with them for a while and then went out to dinner with two of the boys 
from the orphanage, two women who help, and the Mr. He. There was so much food! For the whole dinner, the waitresses just kept bringing out more food. It was delicious. Later at the hotel, the director came and talked with us. The meeting was brief, but nice. He was not the director when I was there. Tomorrow we’re going to the Civil Affairs Bureau, the place where I was found. Lianne
2 comments:
I always read your blog first thing in the morning, even before looking at the Daily Camera. It's always exciting to see what you did. Fantastic picture of the cat and the hanging ducks. Baci Carla
Hangzhou looks so beautiful. I love your descriptions of the special bridges. And Yiwu--what a special thing it is that you are bringing those hand made blankets for the children. You seem to be in good luck with the weather.
Lots of love,
Auntie Marilee & Uncle Sam
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