Hello ChaoHu - and Walmart

There is so much to write and so little time. The last 36 hours have been incredible aand that is an understanment. our trip to Anhui was uneventful, and we were met at the aiport by Hai Ying, her mother and daughter, and our great guide, Chen Jun. She is great. We arrived at ChaoHu International Hotel and found the director, Cai Rong, AND one of Zoe's old nannies, Li Kai Nian, waiting for us. Zoe was withdrawn but did warm up to Hai Ying after a bit. Only a matter ot time By evening everyone was doing well.

We exchanged gifts, took photos, all in our hotel room, doors open, with curious onlookers peering in. The staff all knew that a hometown girl had returned and there was a lot of interest. We then went across the street for a simple lunch, and back to our hotel room for more talking. This time, the former orpahange director, the nanny, our interpreter and Hain Ying and mom floating in and out, spent a lot of time talking about the conditions of the orpahange, the general abadonment situation in ChaoHu (dropping dramatically) the number of children in the CWI (12....if a big adoption group came there would be no children left), the general feelings towards the current director (horrible) and the confirmation that in about two years Anhui's international adoption program may come to an end. Attitudes are changing very quickly here, and if XCHaoHu's skyline is any indication, it makes Beijing's growth look rather pale by comparision. This is a city, population 400,000, on absolute overdrive.

CahoHu Parents: If you have driven the Hefei, ChaoHu highway, know that it is becoming one long conintuious road of homes and buisnesses and factories. But nothing prepares us for the change WITHIN the city. We were here in 2001, 2006 and now 2008. We were struck by the growth from 2001 to 2006, but the growth from 2006 to now cannot even be explained. Mile and miles of housing units, shopping centers, MILES OF IT! And yes, I have seen the broken ground where the new Walmart Supercenter is being built. Walmart has arrived in ChaoHu!!!

After a couple of hours in the hotel talking, Hai Ying informed us that we were going to meet friends of hers for dinner. Our lunch had been very simple, so I was not too sure what awaited us. What awaited us was a meal in a very nice private banquet room, with three friends of Hai Yings. We were treated to a feast, loads of rice wine, and ENDLESS toasts.....ENDLESS. One person stands up and directs their toast to one other individual, then both srink/sip/down, depending on the toast. We were toasted by everyone, we toasted everyone, the girls toasted everyone, you get the picture. Then, Hai Yings freind, Mr. Lee, invited us the next day to some sightseeing around ChaoHu, to which we readily agreed. We merrily made our way back to the hotel where everyone came BACK up to our room, collected their gifts, then said their goodnights.

For part two...read the next post.