FW: Hello from Nanchang

 Note: put the wrong email address on this originally to post it.  Posting late.... sorry!

---

Well, this has all turned out quite differently than expected.  I thought we would be blogging regularly, but it turned iout that  we are unable to access our blog due to the unrest in western China.  So anyway, here is our report about the most important part of the trip. 
 
We got to Jiangxi Province two days ago (I think?).  When our guide picked us up at the airport, he presented Christine with a large red silk banner that read "Welcome Cao Xia Hai Back Home" in english and Chinese.  She was very pleased by this.  We stayed in Jiujiang.  The second day, we met with Mrs. Yue, who was the woman who came to the Lake View Hotel with the babies 9 yrs ago.  She remembered Christine, and took us to the SWI.  We were originally told we would not be able to see any children due to concerns about the swine flu, but we were able to see the children and walk the grounds. 
 
Eventually we went up to the room where we met with the notary 9 years ago.  Mrs. Yue presented Christine with a lovcely porcelin tea set, and a porcelin rabbit (her zodiac sign).   Then she gave us a China set!  We were amazed at their generosity.  She made it clear that they were very glad that Chridstine came back to her home town, and back to the SWI. After  they took us for lunch, we went to see Christine's finding site; it was a small village on the outskirts of Jiujiang, very poor.  We took some pictures and talked to a few women who were around.  Then we took Mrs. Yue shopping for a copier for the orphanage and were done for the day.  It was emotionally exhausting.
 
All in all, it was clear that they were happy to see one of their former charges return, and weer pleased with the book we created of all our girls.  They do consider the girls to be part of them, and want them to consider China their home.
 
This is what Christine has to say about her experience:The orphanagge kids were very nice they greeted me  when i came in. I was plaesed that i got to see my neighborhood. Some people said hi to me. When i was going past my neighborhood I was thinking my real mom could've lived there.
 
So that's all for now, maybe more when we get to Shanghai later today. 

---

Windows Live™ Hotmail®: Celebrate the moment with your favorite sports pics. Check it out.

---

Get free photo software from Windows Live Click here.