2nd Day in Wenzhou

Us with Johns mom waiting for the translator to save us 

Johns Dad with us

We had a fabulous last day in Wenzhou. When we woke up we met Johns parents in the lobby. The translator was not there yet so we did our best to communicate with google translator and a voice translator his mom had on her phone. It was quite interesting because the voice app did not always pick up exactly what she was saying and it would say something that made no sense. Apparently John told his parents what to do to entertain us. First thing in the morning we went to what they called a "wetland." It was a very beautiful park, with bridges, old chinese pavilions, gardens, and a river going through it. The translator told us we were looking for a "boat for us to use." I asked him if he thought we were going to find a "boat" just by the river, he said "yes." I kept thinking... that we were going to use a random boat that we found in this horribly dirty river... then what? So we kept walking and we came to a spot where there were boats lined up with men holding oars. Johns dad paid a fee and Johns mom, the translator, and Dan and I got on. (Johns dad had to go get gas in the car so he couldn't come). This man stood up and used his oar to take us through the river. It was very neat. 

Johns mom and I in the boat

Dan with Victor, the translator

Us in the boat with the translator, if you look past us you can see the man that took us around the river. Also look at how dirty green the water is. 

The boats that we were looking for :)

The wetland

Some of the houses we saw as we were on the boat. If you look close you can see laundry hanging outside. Everyone here hangs their clothes outside their window like that, very public for everyone to see. 

 After that we walked around some more, and they showed us some of the dragon boats that they use during a festival in Wenzhou. Also on our walk some chinese people wanted to take a picture of Dan and I with their children. We agreed but the kids were scared of us, and I think they took a picture of us anyways. 

Some chickens we found tied by their feet to the street light

 Then it was time for lunch with Johns grandma and grandpa. So we headed to their house, and I thought we were going to be eating there, but we see no food and they immediately pull out TONS of "snacks" they quickly fill the table with these "snacks" for us and tell us to eat. Nobody else is eating, they are just watching us and wanting us to try all these foods. It was mostly nuts, seeds, and fruits... but none were familiar to us. Then they hand us gifts, and more GIFTS... shortly after that Johns cousin, uncle and Aunt arrive. And bring us MORE gifts. Then they say lets go eat...so they left all of the "snacks" out on the table and we head to a very similar restaurant like the night before, they tell us to order a ridiculous amount of food, none which we recognize or can even read the name... they want us to pick out the food for everyone.... so much pressure! Once again we were lead down a long hallway to a VIP room. We asked if this was typical chinese dinning and they said for VIPS. This is how we dined with them for all 3 meals. We never experienced a typical restaurant feel like in the US. It felt like being at a house, but someone else did the cooking. We ate tons of food, I didnt especially love it. At the table there is a huge plate, with a smaller one on top of it, and then a little bowl. You never use the plates you only put food in the bowl. So we are not sure what the plates are there for. They were so sweet to us and always asked for a fork for us, but we refused. Dan was a bit more funny to watch use chopsticks than me. :) At lunch they also wanted us to eat, and barely ate anything themselves. Their manners at the table are quite different than ours- you sit at the table and eat for a long time, but if you need to leave you just say "bye bye"and leave, burping is completely acceptable, the food is community and you dig into it with your eating utensils, they use kleenex for napkins, and cell phones are completely acceptable at the table.

Dan, Johns Grandpa, Grandma, me, and Johns mom

Food that we picked from, I still have no idea what exactly we ate

More food to pick from. 

 They asked several times about items we wanted to purchase, we thought they meant what we wanted to buy... anything we told them, they bought for us! We did not spend ANY money in Wenzhou... free meals, free hotel, free gifts, free entertainment... we definitely were not expecting that. 

Another funny story... so Dan really wanted to buy some headphones. Of course we asked to be taken somewhere to buy them but this is what happened instead.... 

They had been mentioning them to us on and off during the day, I think we were on the way to lunch when the phone rings... Johns dad parks the car in what to us seems to be the middle of the street, johns mom jumps out, and some guy runs out of the store with two boxes (different kinds of headphones), then the translator gets out and Dan opens the door and they ask him which he likes better. He must have picked the one that was less expensive because it was obvious that Johns mom thought the other one was better, then she says just take both... the guy gives them to dan and runs off, everyone hops in the car, and we continue on our way.... Dan and I just looked at each other and smile confused at what just happened.... 

Its really surprising that people do not get into car accidents, I don't think there are any lanes... people drive everywhere, including on the sidewalk. If you can't find a parking spot you just drive up on the side walk and park. People walk through busy traffic with children, there seems to be no rules (or they are not enforced)

We also got to go to Johns house. His mom showed us around, it is a very little apartment. Johns room is decorated with Winnie the pooh bear. She was also very proud to show us many photo albums of John when he was a baby. And of course she fed us snacks. And refused to let us clean up the mess. And then made us take the rest of the snacks home. 

View from Johns family apartment, notice all the cars

Inside the apartment

Us with Victor

 Then we headed to the hotel for a nap, and it was VERY hard to wake up. AFter the nap we met them in the hotel lobby to go up to another VIP room for dinner. This time Johns dad picked the food... whew! Then we went out with them after dinner to celebrate. One of Johns dads friends joined us for the evening. He was very interested in us adopting. They asked why we wanted to and kept saying that its a "very good example for chinese to see." They also said that they hope that John learns from our example. They asked to see a picture of him, so we showed them but knew that the next conversation would be about his noticeable cleft lip. And it was next. They made a comment about why would we want that, its no good... etc. We very lovingly explained that to us what is on the outside is not what is important, and that a cleft lip does not making him any less deserving of love and a family. What we said made them think and they were shocked with our answer. They said "wow!" and kept talking about the example we are setting for the chinese to see, and were very impressed. I was a little nervous how the chinese perceived americans adopting Chinese. We were very happy to find out that its viewed as a very wonderful thing, and that they think the children are very "lucky."

This morning we woke up early to pack and get ready to head to Zhengzhou. Our flight left at 8:05 and we arrived to the airport at 7:00. Johns mom took us to the "late passengers line" and totally cut right up to the desk. When the guy took one look at our bags (we have 3 and they are HEAVY), he shook his head what it looked like to say "no way!" She then started talking really fast and loud in Chinese, and called someone. Meanwhile this guy is carrying on his business, Johns mom chases him around the lobby with her cell phone and gives it to him to talk to her friend who she called. THe guy them smiles and agrees to check all of our bags, didn't make us pay extra for weight (they were 10+ lbs over weight), and even was going to check our carry ons. John explained later to us when I asked what happened that she has a friend who works at the airport and she was using her "connections." I guess that is a chinese thing to do. Very few rules are followed if you know the right people. We then hugged both of them good bye and went through security. You could tell that hugging is awkward for them, but we did it anyways. :) We look forward to spoiling them in Michigan in a few months. 

Our airplane from Wenzhou to Zhengzhou

Our taxi ride to the hotel was very interesting, and we are still learning how to be out by ourselves. We made it to our hotel in Zhengzhou, which is the capital of our sons province. Luckily for us, now we are with our travel group and will not have to get around by ourselves again. Whew!! We met our travel guide, Vivian, who is very very sweet. She came to our room and gave us some information that we will need for the rest of our time here in Zhengzhou. Now, why we really came to China! We leave to meet our son at 9:30am, or 8:30pm Michigan time Sunday night. Its so real, so close! We even have his crib in our room!!! Vivian was able to ask the orphanage a few questions about him for us, we did find out that he is scared of strangers, new things, and that those make him cry. :( I can only imagine how he will feel not understanding anything we say (we have felt the same way, scared, helpless, and alone). We would love your prayers that we will be able to bond with him, and that we will be able to work though the scary first days together. I will post pictures as soon as I get a chance! I know your all dying to know his name, and trust me, we are just as excited to tell you! :) 

View from our hotel in Zhengzhou

His crib in our room!!