We headed off on the second day of our adventure here. Mr. Lee, Hai Yings friend, arranged two cars to take us to ChaoHu itself (the lake). We drove through the countryside, to incredible countryside, My email time is limited, but it really was a great drive (besides getting Cougar!) We drove out to the temple on the lake where we visited two years ago, but because of a fierce storm, it was closed down (I actually sat in the car with Mae who was having a tantrum) Long story short, we viewed the temple, the girls had their fortunes read, we went for another lunch where we had more great ChaoHu food and endless toasts, then took a speed boat out onto the island about 2-3 miles away...Island looked small, but it was really very large, and we wandered through villages and then hiked to the top of the mountain where a very very tall pagoda was situated. Mae, Zoe and I hiked to the VERY top, and....it was covered in ladybugs. Some of you will understand the significance of that.
On the way down we were treated to a musical solo performance by a man in a teahouse, who played ChaoHu and NAhui songs in honor of Zoe. Ian and I were big hits..like rock stars as the sole white folk on the island. We were good natured about it all...Ian and I snapping photos of the scenery and the girls, while we heard people taking photos of us taking photos of their countryside...quite funny. The nanny, director, a friend and Hai Ying's mother and terror of a daughter went with us too.
Back at the hotel we had more lengthy converstaions, and then off to our last dinner. I'll cut the to chase...the goodbye with Zoe's nanny was so very sad. She said earlier in the evening that when the girls leave they fully expect never to see them again.....So to say goodbye tonight, even though we have promsied to return, made us all very sad...tears and more tears. Ian and I are toally drained, and so it Zoe.
We leave for Zhaji village tomorrow at 8:00. Hain Ying and our translator will go with us to drop us off. Then part three of our journey beings...living in a viallage in Anhui province. Our next email is likely from Nanchang, where the lovely Maggie is waiting for us and ready to take us to NingDu.....
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2 comments:
Hi,
It was thrilling to talk with you yesterday as you rolled along the bridge crossing the Yangtze River. And hearing Hai Ying try to pronounce "grandma" was quite a moment. Zoe was in loving hands for 10 months and for that I am so grateful. Love, Mom
What a lovely gift you gave the nannies and staff who cared for your daughter. I can't wait until we can take our daughters back to their SWIs and see again the people who cared for them for us.
I'm anxious (of course) for your trip report to Ningdu. I cannot wait to get there myself (it looks like we'll travel in June or July).
Kelly
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