Dear Friends and Family,
Yesterday morning we met our guide, Jian, downstairs in the lobby at 9:30. We were off to Yuelu Academy. Yuelu Academy is a famous institute of higher learning founded in 976. It is very famous - one of the most famous things here in Hunan. There were many tourists there - but they were all Chinese tourists (except for us). It is very beautiful - although not kept very well. It is no longer being used as a school - but sometimes lectures are given there still. It was amazing to look around and think that this was built over 1000 years ago! I could just imagine back in the day, scholars walking back and forth through the courtyards with their robes on and memorizing their lessons.
We get a lot of stares here in China - and at Yuelu Academy it is no exception. Why do people stare? I think it is because we have so many children. I was joking with Dave that we are like Brangelina - except without our body guards to keep people at bay. Seriously, people will come right up to us and start asking us questions in Chinese - How many children do you have? Are these all your children? Where are you from? You have three boys? You are so lucky! Did you dream of having a girl? Is that why you have her? It is crazy. Even when we walk into the stores near the hotel - same deal. It makes me not want to go out. But I am so SO SO glad that we brought the whole family. It just would not be the same without everybody. Our friends, John and Judy, get stares, too - because they are a Caucasion couple with 2 little Chinese girls. People were even taking pictures of our party at Yuelu Academy.
Lily is keeping us busy! She has now come more out of her shell and wants to "walk" everywhere! Sometimes she will be content to be in the sling, but she will let me know she wants down by pushing against me and saying, "Mmmmm! Mmmm!" Thankfully I have lots of helpers to hold her hands and support her as she goes everywhere. In the hotel room after her nap, she would take us to the door and indicate that she wanted to go out. Too bad there isn't anywhere to go! I am getting a little worried about the plane flight home. Hopefully it will be better since it is a red eye and she can sleep. Otherwise, we will be cruising the aisles :-(.
We had a lunch of instant noodles and snacks. Like I said yesterday, eating out is stresssful - so sometimes it is easier just to load up at the breakfast buffet, eat lunch in our rooms and then have a good dinner. Thankfully, my boys like "oodles of noodles," and Matthew especially is a homebody and never wants to go anywhere. I feel cooped up and out of my element, but the alternative of exploring the city is daunting (and would invite more stares and comments). After Lily's nap, we did venture out a couple of blocks. It was interesting because we walked down one alley way near the hotel - and there were little produce and butcher shops there. The hotels and high rises are so modern - and then there are these sights that are right nearby that are so antiquated. We witnessed a woman slicing a still wriggling fish with a cleaver right down it's back on a bloody butcherblock set in what looked like a plastic washtub. And Nathan - agog while watching this, nearly stepped on a mesh bag on the floor that was full of live frogs!
For dinner, we met John and Judy and their two girls downstairs again at Good Street. It was our last dinner in Changsha and at the Hua Tian Hotel. Tonight we fly out to Guangzhou. This will be Lily's first experience flying. It is strange to think of all the firsts that she must be going through. So many things that we take for granted and do every day - riding in a car, being out in the city, watching television. . . and even something like being fed on demand, having snacks galore, being spoiled with french fries, waking up and opening your eyes and seeing your mom right there. She smiled today when I brought her to the adjoining room after she had woken up and had her diaper changed. She saw her brothers who were playing cards, and greeted them with a smile. It was like she was saying, "There they are! Hey guys!"
Many of you have asked how Aaron is doing. He is doing wonderfully! Of course, everyone is in a kind of altered universe here. The boys are so happy because basically they get to eat as many snacks and play on the iPad and DS pretty much as much as they want to. We will see what happens when we get home and routines come back into play. For now, they are enjoying their debauchery. I am enjoying, too, letting go and relaxing our rules :-).
Ok - that's about it. We meet downstairs in a few minutes to go to the Embroidery Museum. In the afternoon we check out and go pick up our documents from the Civil Affairs Office and then head to the airport.
Our photos:
1) Lily and I at Yuelu Academy
2) Matt and Nathan smiling at Yuelu Academy
3) Lily, my brown eyed girl
4) Sleeping in the sling
Love,
Chenning
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