Adventures with Two...Beijing Bound!

Day Seventeen : First Day Back in Huining, Gansu (Part One)

(This was literally one of the BEST, most amazing days of our lives, so I need to break it into at least two parts,) We were so excited to be back in Huining. So excited to see the Zhang family and the kids!! I didn't explain in my last post, but our poor friend Chai got really sick when we got to Lanzhou, so we decided to go alone to Huining. Chai helped us to get bus tickets and sent the bus number to Mr. Zhang so they were waiting for us at the bus station. Emily and Eli really had to kick into translating gear at this point! Plus, we had two translation apps that were really helpful. Luckily the local English teacher came over to help us later in the evening, which was a nice addition to our group.

We started the day with a stroll around town. Things have changed a lot in the last three years, lots of upgrades to the streets and new buildings going up everywhere. The crane business is truly booming in this country! But it is still a very remote area of China, which is why we love it. There is not a fast food restaurant in any part of town that we saw, just very authentic Chinese foods, traditions, customs and shopping here. And the people are as friendly and warm as we have ever met!

Tom and I, the "Mei Guo Ren/Americans", (but really it's our race that surprises them so!) still created quite a stir on the streets and literally were asked for photos at least 15 times a day. Not counting the many people that just try to take a photo on the sly, which you can see in many photos. Most people just squeal and come running over to smile while a friend takes the photo. Some people had phones, others just wanted us to take their photo on our camera, so that they could look at it with us. Too funny!



We walked to see the Buddhist temple up on the hills near the edge of town, as well as the Taoist shrine that is being built/reconstructed. So beautiful! The kids had fun tossing a ball around and running through the dusty hills with each other. We brought Minnesota Wild T-shirts for the boys and "Red, White, and Awesome" shirts for the girls, so they were all matching :)



This photo is of Emily and MaYiHan, her first friend, and the Zhang's granddaughter. They have adored each other both times we have visited!
We also got to see the outside of the kids' school as we walked to lunch. They are still in session until July 18th! My kids and I were so happy we have a three month break!
Tom was asked what his favorite food was in China the night before and he told them he loved Beijing duck, so for lunch we were treated to a BJ duck feast! These animals outside he restaurant seemed happy with the choice!

Mr. Zhang told us to take a rest at the hotel for an hour and that we would, "Go to the countryside to visit his mother," when we met again. We were in for a world changing trip that we couldn't even imagine as we laid down to rest! More to come...

Day : A Return to Huning, Gansu

These days with the foster families are so profound, I struggle to find the right words. On the bus to Emily's town I finished reading a novel and found a passage from an interview with the author that spoke to what I am feeling, so I will use her words tonight:

"I really do believe that the capacity to love is what gives meaning to our lives, even though we are never more vulnerable than when we let down our guard and trust our hearts to others. The world isn't perfect; nor are people. It's quite possible that loving flawed people in an equally flawed world is going to subject you to the worst kind of heartache. But I like to think that the heart is capable of surviving the cost of loving because IT WAS MEANT TO." -Susan meissner, A Fall of Marigolds

In this picture we are with Emily's foster family on the left, and the woman who brought her to us, on the right, 9 summers ago. She is the assistant director of the orphanage, and the sister-in-law to the foster mother.

Two families, two cultures, two continents apart, but so many heart filled with love for this girl, and such happiness for our families to be together again.

Day Fifteen: Fun in Twos

Another fun day in Beijing...too late to write much, but the highlights were two delicious meals with co-workers and old friends, as well as two shopping excursions. The kids would report the highlights being two new stuffed animals and two pool visits, one with Daddy and Chai! Off to Huining, Gansu tomorrow to visit Emily's foster family. This will be our second time to visit them in Huining, since we were able to go there in 2012. So exciting!! More tomorrow...

Day Fourteen: Noodles and Getting Lost!

**Eli wants me to be sure to tell everyone that yesterday after helping with the dumplings, he ate "many, many, many...actually TWENTY-TWO" of those very dumplings! **
The Sheraton Dongcheng is actually feeling like home these days, and we were happy to get settled into our new room, for our third check-in here. This is the Saint Jude Medical preferred hotel, so we are staying here while in BJ, since Tom is working most of those days. This is the new view from our hotel:
We had a fun lunch outing with several of Tom's colleagues. The kids and I took the subway over to meet them at a place that everyone loves. The place was packed and for good reason...some of the best food yet!

Thumbs up from Eli.
We loved the noodles with eggplant and peppers, and it was fun to chat with Tom's co-workers. Unfortunately, since it was such a little place and the line was out the door, we couldn't all sit together, but we meandered back to the subway together, and had an ice cream along the way. They helped us find some saline solution for contacts. We learned that contacts aren't as common here, so it was a bit hard to find. There is no saline at the grocery store and we had to go to the eye doctor's office to find it! The kids and I stayed at the mall looking around, and finally made our way home in late afternoon. They of course needed to get their hour of swimming in, so I got to lounge and read while they swim. Here is the view of the plaza from the 7th floor pool:
It was a lovely, but rare, blue sky day! We have seen many more blue sky days on this trip, I hope that's a sign of progress environmentally. When we got back to the room, we noticed a huge fire in the distance. It seems that a storage warehouse started on fire. It was on the news and actually ended up being part of the adventure we had in the evening.
There is a rule in BJ that there can be no more than five people in a cab. So tonight, when our family and Chai set off to meet his auntie and cousin for dinner, we split into two cars. Girls in one, boys in the other. Chai told the driver where to go, but he didn't know the area exactly, so we were going to follow them.

Well, traffic was horrible on the Third Ring road due to the fire, so our driver veered off trying to find a quicker route. Em and I got nervous right away, but I was trying to play it cool so she wouldn't get too worried. After driving for about 20 minutes, I turned on all of my cellular options and started trying to text, WeChat, call, message...but nothing was going through. At about 40 minutes, the driver started asking us, if we knew where to go. Luckily Em could translate for us, but we had no clue! The driver pulled off by the bridge Chai had mentioned and told me to call them. But still, nothing was going through. The driver then tried from his phone. At this point, I realized that Tom probably had his cellular options turned only to Wi-Fi (since it's expensive we usually have them set like that when we are together) and I only have Chai's phone from the States programmed in, and he is using his Chinese phone. We sat there looking at each other wondering what to do and in that miraculous moment....bbbeeeeeeeeeppppp....their taxi came cruising down the road past us, horn blaring.

What a relief! We were then able to follow them a few more blocks to the restaurant. Em and I decided we would have just had the driver take us to the nearest subway station and we would have gotten back to the hotel, but luckily they found us. Needless to say, all phones and phone numbers have been stored, reset and tried out so that we know we can reach each other if that ever happens again!! Our dinner was delicious and it was great to see Chai's auntie and cousin, whom we had met in 2012. They will be in the US in a few weeks, so we will also get to see them again.
We had some yummy seafood and also, some Peking duck, which we love!
Luckily, the taxi ride home was uneventful but Em and I took Tom with us, just to look tough in case we needed him!

Day Thirteen: Last Day in Baotou

As already stated, Tom was totally hung over this morning, and feeling terrible about it! We laid low in the morning so that he could be home. But we knew that we needed to be at Chai's grandparents home by noon.
We made our way over to their house, and were greeted with kind hellos and welcoming smiles. The ladies were making dumplings, so the kids jumped in to help. Eli helped make many and organized the whole plate. While they worked, they laughed and adored him the whole time.

Chai's dad gave Eli some pointers while he worked. Meanwhile, Chai's uncle was in the kitchen making delicious ribs and his cousin was rolling out more dumpling dough. It was a busy place! While some were cooking, they had the rest of us sit down to start with fruit and to chat in the living room. The rest of us, minus Tom. This was his position...
He felt terrible that he couldn't enjoy the food, and worried he was being rude, but he just couldn't get up! All the men laughed and said not to worry, that they had had nights just like that with Baijiu.
We roused Tom enough to take some photos and get him home.
While he slept some more, the kids and I took an excursion around the neighborhood.
We shopped at a little store, where the kids bought toys for $1.00 and were quizzed by the local ladies. "American mama? Ahh, Chinese baba(father)!! NO??? What???" We know the words for this conversation well at this point. We walked right by Chai's elementary school as well.
We came across a little plaza where people were flying kites. The kites were so high we couldn't get any photos...seriously the highest kites we have ever seen! In this photo, you can see the lowest three kites.
Lots of locals playing the park, many playing card games with friends gathered around.

As we walked back, we were in the middle of the school pick up time and it was absolute chaos! The kids loved walking rough the middle of it and seeing so many kids their age.

Back at the apartment, Chai's mom played her Mongolian instrument for us and showed the kids how to play as well.
Tom was still not feeling well, but we dragged him through the airport, got him on a plane and got him home to Beijing. Our plane didn't have a gate, so we deplaned on the tarmac. The kids thought it was awesome. Tom wasn't too excited that we the. Had to take a bus to the actual airport. We finally got Tom back to bed around 9:30 and he is back to 100% finally this morning. Phew! So unlike him to be so out of sorts!!

Day Twelve: Baotou, Part Two

After all of our morning fun, we met up with Chai's father's family for a traditional Mongolian meal. We got to meet many cousins and there were 28 chairs set around a huge round table.


The food was delicious, lots of meat, mostly lamb, and also a lot of dairy products. Baotou is kind of like Wisconsin, the dairy capitol! Our tea was more of a milk tea, and there were some cheeses and of course fruit and veggies. There are many traditions to be followed, and since we were the honored guests, we had to drink lots. They bring the guests several cups of baijiu, which is a rice liquor. It burns down your throat and is very strong. Luckily I got wine instead, phew! We had to take a drink after each song that the Mongolian singers sang, and then after several glasses, we were presented with a white scarf. We were a little nervous when Tom was presented with a bucket...but it was a joke, with a little glass inside!


After I got my scarf, I didn't have to drink anymore, but there were several more toasts for Tom and he needed some help down the stairs by the time we left! So many friendly toasts to our family, welcoming us to Baotou and Inner Mongolia.
Poor Chai, after we were done, he had to go around the whole table and make a toast with each adult. He had a little glass, but still had to drink about 20 glasses of Baijiu. Eek!!
Eli made quick friends with some of the cousins' children and the whole time they ran around the outside of the tent and played and had fun.

We then left and went back to Chai's house. His parents were already preparing the next meal for us. Oh my!! We are eating more than we could imagine! Here his mother is making noodles from scratch.
Tom and Chai had a round of ping pong, and I'm pretty sure Chai won, even though they weren't keeping score.
Then Chai's mother's relatives arrived, grandpa and step-grandma, as well as and aunt and uncle. We had more delicious food, fun conversation and more toasts.

Tom had had his limit by that time, but still had a few more. Oy!! We exchanged gifts and Chai's parents gave us a lovely teapot collection that was handmade, as well as a beautifully carved wood stand for the pots. Lovely! (But I don't have a pic!!)
We put Tom to bed by about 8:30. By morning, he was feeling awful and totally hung over! That Baijiu is crazy strong stuff!

Day Twelve: Baotou, Part One

For the first half of our day in Baotou, we woke up and Chai took us to a little breakfast spot down the road. It was fun to take in the sights of the neighborhood.

There isn't a direct translation for the food we ate, it was a cross between a dumpling and a steamed bun, but not really either. Very tasty, though! This is the only thing to order at this restaurant and they are only open for breakfast!

After our meal, the family took us to the local park, where lots of families were spending the day. The kids loved feeding the deer and we enjoyed the beautiful Mongolian scenery.
Grasslands in the forefront and population density in the background...lots of new buildings being built.
The family was excited for us to try on native Mongolian clothing, and posed us in several different scenes set up for photos.

After what we took a bus to another part of the park so we could try archery, shooting and horseback riding. I have to brag that I was the only one that got a bullseye!! Hehe...channeling Katniss Everdeen!


So much fun and that was just the first part of the day...more to come!

Day Eleven: Baotou, Inner Mongolia

We made it to Baotou tonight and will have more to share tomorrow! We met up with our friend Chai at the airport since he just arrived from the States, and hopped on a plane to his hometown of Baotou.

His lovely parents met us at the airport and had a traditional Mongolian meal prepared for us of cold lamb, greens, tofu, dumplings and a delicious soup made with lamb, potatoes, veggies and herbs. So good!

We are finally getting to bed at 12:30. Chai traveled all day and night, he must be beyond exhausted!

More to come...

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Day 10: Lounging in Beijing...Doreamon & Dumplings!

Since we are flying to Baotou, Inner Mongolia tomorrow, The kids and I really laid low today. We did another load of laundry, and as suspected had to dry some with the hairdryer from yesterday. We have our new "pioneer" system all worked out.

I was embarrassed to leave the room with a clothes line strung up and clothese laid all around the room, especially on the railing in front of our window. But when the kids and I went out I said, "Oh my, look up, is that our room?" And then we realized the about 15 other rooms looked just like ours and I'm sure that the housekeeping staff is used to crazy washing in the big tubs.

The kids were thrilled to find seaweed flavored chips for lunch! (Gag!)
Then they ambled along with their new umbrellas back to our hotel.
There is a movie plex in the building next to ours, so I promised the kids we could see a movie before we left. They chose "Doreamon", the blue cat that you may have heard of? He seems to be very popular over here and the kids have watched his shows at their school. It was an "Immersion...For the Win!" afternoon, since both kids were enthralled with the show and were translating bits for me. Eli was so sad at one part, since the cat had to leave the boy, so I knew that he was really understanding well since he was feeling emotional. Love that!
After that I let the kids swim for an hour and we returned to hair dryer duties until Tom came home.
We tried so hard to find the Gung Ho pizza restaurant that we loved the last time we were here, but we just couldn't figure it out. The kids were too hungry and tired of walking, so we picked a fun looking dumpling shop called "Mr. Shi's Dumplings".
There were many, many drawings and names on the walls, so the kids were happy when they delivered markers to our table. Emily wrote her Chinese name and wrote, "from St. Paul, MN, USA"
It is in the Sanlitun area, so the kids were marveling at all of the Caucasian people. There are many embassies in this area and we saw many Europeans, based on the accents we heard. The kids finally don't say, "There's an American!" automatically anymore when we see a white person, since we keep reminding them that skin color doesn't dictate nationality. Interesting conversations for sure!

We had several yummy kinds of dumplings, some with cheese...which was a first. Clearly they are catering the a Western diet with those! We were a little skeptical of them, but they were quite good. We also ordered dessert dumplings, made with chocolate and bananas. It took forever, since they were rolling and making the dumplings fresh on the spot, but they were really tasty! So tasty that I didn't get a picture of a single one!

Days 8 & 9: Back to Beijing...Planes, Trains and Automobiles!

First off, I want to thank everyone for their lovely comments! I didn't think my Facebook link would work, but it has been so far! I can see your comments since it forwards to my e-mail, but I can't respond to them since Facebook is prohibited here. We love reading the comments each day and do so aloud each morning.

Sorry that there are some typos and formatting issues...it's a bit piecemeal behind the scenes over here!!

The journey from Beihai went like this: taxi to train, train to Nanning, taxi to airport, airplane to Beijing, taxi to hotel. PHEW!! No one was here to award us the Amazing Race medal, but we felt like we deserved one!

The kids fell asleep on their tray tables at one point, with Em's hair still wet from the pool!

They finally got to bed around midnight, and slept the latest ever...10:20!! It's rare that I'm the one waking them up, and needing to open the curtains to rouse them from their sleep. I guess they were tired??

Tom was off to work at a normal hour and when we finally got moving we decided that Starbucks seemed like the best option for breakfast. Ahhh, coffee! It was hard to find a cup outside of Beijing, so I indulged and we also got muffins. Yum and so cliche, I know :)

We then walked to the metro station that's about 10 minutes from our hotel and went a few stops down the line to a spot we remembered from our last stay in BJ that had a Wu Mart. It's really not a knock-off of Wal-mart, but it is a great grocery store, with housewares as well. Many interesting food items, and some things that look very familiar to us as well.

Before we went in, the kids got an ice cream cone at the walk-up window at the McDonald's next door to the WuMart.

We got a few items, most importantly laundry detergent, that we used to wash our first load of laundry. Since we don't have a washing machine, we used the big jacuzzi tub in our room. So far nothing we washed has dried 6 hours later, but hopefully by morning? Emily helped me and was saying, "It's like we are pioneers, mom!...This would be so much easier if we had a washing board like I used at Gibb's Farm camp...Ewwwwww, I can't believe I'm touching everyone's underwear!!" The hotel does have a fancy laundry service, but at $3.00 per pair of "undergarments" we decided to do our own.

At lunch we had some delicious noodles. I think we call them "Chow Fun" at home. We just pointed to what another lady was eating and said, "Not spicy!" and were happy to discover they were great. All three of us just take turns slurping from the big bowl.

After meandering a bit, we returned home for a swim and Tom finally got home at 6:45, then we were off for dinner. Tom and Em enjoyed some spicy noodles with Szechuan peppercorns, which they loved, but they both had numb tongues within minutes. We also had some tasty kale and honey bbq pork buns.

On our walk back we stopped at the plaza and enjoyed watching the local women dancing on one side and on the other, couples waltzing. (Portia, this made me think of you!) A lovely Beijing night!

It's now 10:00 and these kids are not tired. Hmm, I wonder why?