Thursday July 14

So I wrote this once already and lost it on the other computer. That sucks.

Thursday was an off day for the team, with few if any commitments . we decided to go to the “finding places” for Finn and Kai.

We got up and did the usual routine:

1. up way too early. Big boy 1 wakes up, the other wakes up, then Finn.

2. Swim

3. Eat. Kai and Finn both LOVE dumplings. Finn, the picky eater really just likes dumplings and noodles and if you offer him other things he gives you a very short but firm shake of the head that says NO.

After we ate and got ready, the facilitator came and picked us up for our visits.

First was Finn’s finding place which is out in the “Country” as she said. Really just more suburban with apartment buildings just 4 stories and a number of large factories, including Sony, Microsoft, and Apple nearby. We had to drive about 45 minutes to get there.

We finally arrived (Finn asleep, as he always sleeps in the car). It was a small street with row houses on one side and little alleys with apartment buildings – 4 stories – on the other. Across the street was a Buddhist Temple (Longyin Temple). Very nice.

We took a zillion photos. Walked up and down. I have cried here a number of times and was sure I would do so there, but I held it together. After the pics, we saw a small shop across the street. It was a little convenience type store (lots of beer for sale). Half the store was also “Temple Supplies” such as incense and candles. We went in and of course there was ice cream, so we got some. Kids had chocolate. I had sweet potato. It was light blue. It was good.

Then on to Kai’s place which was the Shanghai Children’s Hospital. It is right off of Nanjing Road, a big shopping road. (Duncan and I had shopped for Rolexes on that road on the weekend before) The hospital is off of a main road though an arch and down an alley. The alley, of course, is lined with a gauntlet of toy-selling stores. For those sick little kids.

There the ladies in one store of course remembered us and we went there and bought some more books for the kids. Actually got a couple of Chinese song books with Chinese and English words and CD’s. So we can sing Chinese.

Then we headed to Peoples’ Square to meet another couple in town for adoption. We went to eat and found the first OK looking place to eat. It ended up being Japanese, but the noodles were OK for Finn.

After eating they had to go to the Notary and pick up their papers, so we headed to the Peoples Square park. Very big park with lots to see, though we didn’t see too much. Our mobility is somewhat limited by all these kids so I am not getting to walk around as much as we would on a typical vacation, but we get to see our fair share and have fun too. We went into the park and saw there was a “playground” so we went there. Actually, though, it was a small amusement park. Had 8 rides. We decided to ride a few and went about the process of getting tickets. First we figured out that each ride was a different color ticket. Then we went to the rides we wanted and saw what the ticket color was, then we bought the tickets (many beggars there. Had cups next to your hand if you even thought about reaching in for money). Kai was not happy with the process as he didn’t know what we were doing.

Kai and Duncan took a brief respite from the chasing and swatting, transferring their energy into banging into each other in bumper cars. Kai’s favorite. Then all 4 on Merry Go Round. Finn rode the Elephant for Maisie. Then we got a couple more and the boys rode the dragon roller coaster. It was small but they had fun. I was very happy to see that Duncan finally had a amusement park riding brother.

We headed out of the park and I wanted to walk around more but the boys were fading and it would take some work to get home. In the grass at the edge of the park Duncan and Kai did some gymnastics. Then into the Metro. We rode the two stops and all seemed to enjoy it, but perhaps Finn the most. Maybe his first time. Then we came out and up the steps to the exit. Finn, who has been wanting to walk all the time lately climbed those steps him self. Maybe not a lot of step practice at the orphanage. It was a lot of work for him but he did it, cheered on by the big boys. Good work!

Coming out we saw rain. It was pouring. But, we are boys and we don’t care, so I grabbed the baby and we ran, and got soaked, and had fun. Back at the hotel we took another quick swim, ate, then headed to bed.

One note. Shanghai is an amazing city. It’s giant – 25 million people in an eclectic mix of large apartment buildings, small rundown slums, little houses with shops out of them. Thousands of scooters and bikes. Lots of cars. Horns blaring everywhere. So much energy. And people so friendly. It’s on my short list of favorites.

Another note. Why I like China. I have always had a fond place in my heart for the “olden days” I think the 50’s and 60’s in the US were the prime of our country, as far as I can see. China is so much like 1960 US. You go to shops and there are people who help you. Show you stuff and answer questions. They make stuff here. There is growth, vitality, energy. It’s not just all about politics and red vs. blue and TV stars. I like it a lot. Way more than I thought I would. And I thank Kai and Finn for introducing China to me.