(Wednesday November 25th)


After breakfast, Hannah Faith, Kevin and I went for a walk and to do a little shopping. I was hoping to find Hannah a little pair of boots, but didn’t find anything that caught our eye. We bought some water and a few extras instead. It was so wonderful to walk through Nanchang this morning. It is such a different place than at home. So many different sights, sounds, smells. For instance, most of the balconies on the apartment buildings (you never see just one house) have their raw meat hanging outside. Chicken, sausage, fish etc… Also, most of their clothes, shoes etc. are also on the balconies.

One thing that is very different in Nanchang as opposed to Kunming is that I have not seen babies in carriers here. In Kunming it was very common to see babies strapped to their mother’s backs, chest, even head and shoulders! This is not the case here. Babies are not in strollers or carriers. They all seem to be wearing split pants so we have seen many little tushies on this trip! And when they need to pee or otherwise, they are squatted down or legs pulled up exposing the appropriate parts to do their business on the sidewalks etc…

The people in Nanchang fascinate me the most. They are curious, and we attract a lot of attention wherever we go. We have not met anyone who wasn’t friendly to us. I said Ni Hao to many many people today, always with a smile and we were greeted so warmly in return. The other night, when we were shopping with others in our group, we went into a store and two of the clerks were touching and talking with a blond haired girl in our group. She is 11 and such a sweetheart. Anyway, they were holding her hands and touching her hair, face, looking at her skin etc…. There is a great curiosity and it seems to me, that with children people feel more free to be able to express this.

This afternoon we met with our group and walked to Tengwang Pavilion which is about a 10 minute walk from our hotel. It is absolutely glorious! Hannah was very content exploring this beautiful pagoda from the comfort of the carrier she was strapped into. I am enjoying it so much! I had Hannah hooked to me for our walk this morning too and she adores being in it! She is such a snuggler!!!! Anyway, she was all eyes looking at all the different levels of the pagoda. Hannah would arch back to see the ceiling and all around! She drew a lot of attention and many people took her hands etc. and she didn’t seem to mind one bit. Strapped to her Mommy, eating bin bin crackers and smiling back at people seem to be just her idea of a wonderful time. Mine too!!!!! We walked up many many steps and then explored 5 stories. We took the elevator up and then walked down enjoying each level. The elevator ride was 1 yuan each which seems to be about a nickel. There is even a level towards the top where you can walk out and see the beauty of the river and city below and around.

Then there are the little gardens surrounding this majestic place. They were so lovely to walk through. They even had a bonsai tree garden. Many ponds with very large goldfish and turtles! And there is a restaurant that had many signs with arrows pointing the direction to it with a picture of someone and President Clinton who had obviously eaten there. That fact is their major publicity for this restaurant.

It has been a lovely day…. Tomorrow morning (Thursday) we are walking to have Hannah’s visa picture done. Then in the afternoon we are going to see a temple and then to a place where they make and sell porcelain (porcelain is one thing Jiangxi is famous for!). Afterwards we are going as a group to have some Chinese food!

Today is our third day with Hannah Faith. What a delightful little soul she is. She is very easy going in nature. She will tell us when she has a request but is very patient about it all. She has a wonderful sense of humour and an incredible appetite! She loves everything we have given her! She is content to play on her own and usually doesn’t fuss now when I set her down or leave the room for a minute. She loves to play and she absolutely loves to mimic and tease. She is so funny and has the most infectious laugh! She also ADORES riding in the elevator and talks up a storm while in there. On day one with her I sniffed her foot and smiled at her to see if she’d smile back. She didn’t, she just watched me curiously. Well, tonight while being changed (which doesn’t seem to bother her either now) she stuck her foot to my nose and started to laugh! So ahha she did remember! We happily played this game!!!!! She also loves to play peek a boo and she gives us kisses now upon request. She is ticklish and she adores receiving many kisses bathed on her cheeks and neck!

What a treasure it has been getting to know our darling angel in person! We have been so blessed and I will never take this incredible gift forgranted. We are so very much in love and I think it is mutual. I have said many prayers that our transition would go as smoothly as possible and I often prayed that Hannah would be able to grow to accept our love and comfort. Well, I know for sure that our prayers have definitely been answered. How very blessed we have been with our three girls. We are so thankful…

Goodnight from Nanchang! Xoxo