This morning, Amy was up at six as she was excited to "hang out with my cousin". We packed up and went down to breakfast where we were joined by Sha Jim Pong and his mom. Apparently he was up early too because he was worried we would leave Fuzhou without saying goodbye, so they thought they would meet us at the hotel. We all piled into the van and headed to Popo's house.
This went much better than the last time we were there when we were crushed by throngs of onlookers. A few other villagers showed up, but for the most part, it was just Popo and her family. The village was much the same as I remember it being. The road is mud and there are no sidewalks, just brick houses lining each side. There are no doors or glass windows on the houses, just openings to walk through and windows with plastic or boards on them. The inside of Popo's house has a packed dirt floor and the walls are cinderblock. I noticed a birds nest in the main room this time, along with a scooter. The furniture consists of narrow wooden benches that are brought outside during the day. Chickens and dogs coexist and are free to walk in and out of the houses.
Off of the main room that is shared by all the members of her family, are four small rooms, each room is the private space for three of her children and their immediate family. Popo has her own room that measures about three metres by three metres. She has a wooden bed with blankets rolled up at the end and two cupboards. There is one small, very old tv and I noticed a new addition this time, a phone.
We stood outside and chatted as ladies brought their foster babies to show me. Bruce explained that this is the foster mother village and most of the people here make their living by fostering babies. He also said that there was a bit of jealousy towards Popo, as they would like their adopting families to visit too. They would bring me pictures with past foster babies, stating that they were adopted in Canada and asking if I knew the families.
The entire time we were there, Amy was running around with her "cousin" Sha Jim Pong and two other of Popo's grandchildren. One of her daughters and her family just moved back to the area. She has three children! I'm not sure how that happened, given the one child policy. I asked Bruce to inquire and he said when the eldest daughter of a poor farming family is a girl, in this area, you can wait five years and have another one. An explanation for the third boy was vaguely given and Bruce and I were wondering if that child was not officially recognized and was a hidden child.
The kids had the basketball and were running around with it, having a great time. The boys were so good to Amy, even though they were eleven, ten and nine. They would hold her hand and were very protective. At one point, Amy came up to me and complained that she had mud on her shoe. I thought it quite ironic that she used to live in these conditions where there is mud and dirt everywhere, and now my princess is concerned with a little dirt on her sparkly shoes. Sheesh!
There were women doing laundry by Popo's house on a cement pad. They would haul up water from a well by a bucket on a rope and fill various basins. The clothes were then moistened and ground on the cement, using a bar of soap. Another woman would then beat the clothes with a large stick before tossing them into yet another basin full of water. When the water became too soapy, it would simply be dumped on the ground, hence all the puddles. I felt very humbled as I thought of the many times I grumbled about going all the way upstairs to put another load in the washing machine.
Amy soon announced she had to go to the bathroom so Sha Jim Pong's mother took us. After stepping over the laundry women, we went down a path, through the houses to an outhouse, similar to the one at my Grandma's cottage, only not quite as nice (I never thought I would describe Grandma's outhouse as being nice!). The stench was horrible and it was very dirty. There were no washing facilities and I'm sure we used a whole bottle of hand sanitizer. It was an interesting experience.
We were there about an hour and Bruce approached me, asking if I would mind if we went for lunch with Popo's son, daughter and their families. Apparently, Popo has asked on many occasions if her family could take us out for a simple lunch. Bruce was worried that it was getting to the point of being rude if we refused much longer. So, after saying goodbye to Popo, her daughter and son-in-law and their two foster babies and one older son, we were off.
Six adults and four kids piled into the van for a short trip to a lovely park where we went for a stroll and the kids ran and played with the ball. We walked along a lake with a lovely pagoda alongside and the kids ran up and down the stairs.
Then it was back in the van to head for lunch. I must say that the economic situation for Popo’s family seems to have improved a bit. Both her son and daughter-in-law (Sha Jim Pong's parents) now have jobs as does Popo's daughter and her husband who have recently moved back to Fuzhou. Jobs are very difficult to come by, so when both adults in the family work, living conditions really do improve. It was with these people that we went for lunch.
After the meal (which included pig intestines - tastes like chicken, only chewier), Mr. Wong drove us back to Nanchang and Amy slept in the back for the entire ride! We arrived back at the Galactic Peace Hotel and got as unpacked as you get when you are only staying one night. I told Bruce we would be fine on our own for the rest of the day, so Amy and I just hung out in our room for awhile, and then hopped a cab to Walmart where we went up and down the aisles looking at the different products. And yes Carol, we did find the gum you liked so much last time!
Back at the hotel, we hit the Western restaurant for dinner and then relaxed in our room. It was a very exciting couple of days for us, days that are very precious to adoptive families. Tomorrow, we are off to Guangzhou where we will be reunited with Daddy, Sean and Krissy in preparation for the following day when we meet our new baby!!! I'm getting goose bumps already!
Popo welcoming Amy back to her house.
Popo and I
The cousins, sitting on Popo's bed. Notice the cement walls, the dirt floor and the plastic on the windows.
Laundry day. The round cement thing is the well.
The two foster babies in the cane chairs that Amy sat in as a baby.
One of the neighbouring ladies comes to investigate.
I will always be grateful to this woman.
Popo having lunch with her eldest son and the grandkids.
One of the many poses in the park.
Running up the steps for the fourth time. Who needs a Stairmaster?
The lake by the beautiful park.
The grandkids, or at least those who were able to come to lunch.
Popo's daughter's three children.
When we returned to the Provincial Adoption Office, Anna became very quiet, limp and just melted into Robin. I think the room was all too familiar to her and she was thinking she was going to have another major change in her life.
Poor baby. Daddy was having a hard time too.
Once we left, she brightened up and at the pool, she really seemed to enjoy herself.
She certainly loves the water!
Dinner can be difficult with two little ones on your lap.
Anna is not yet comfortable with Robin or Sean and Amy gets jealous and like to be were Anna is. This offers Daddy and Sean a break to enjoy the beer in China.
The girls in their high heels, getting out a puzzle to do.
