Zhengzhou City

I feel like I didn't take near enough photo's of the city as I should have, but where we stayed, The Crown Plaza, was a much nicer area than she would have been from, and there were so many tours and things to do, that we decided to skip them (it was the birthplace of Kung-fu, which would have been cool, but was another long bus ride, which she does not like-and a museum which is not good for toddlers).

But, we did have a wonderful day off walking the streets, shopping at the local Wal-mart (much different than ours-it is 3 levels, but it was cool) where we actually found a pair of slip-on shoes for Jake, and walking the pathways. We love the green pathways they have along the river, and the parks with the exercise equipment. As nice as it is to see all of the touristy sites, what we like best is seeing the people, shopping in their shops, trying to cross the streets, and getting a glimpse of how they live. We did enjoy a local 7 Eleven's ice-cream bar, which was much cheaper than the $10 per scoop at the hotel! It melted so fast that we had to keep helping her, and ours were melting just as fast. It was so hot! But, she loved it. While we were out, we had several people ask us if she was ours. They are all so surprised and impressed. They think she is lucky to be going to the US. We think we are lucky to be bringing her!

Most people who own shops in Zhengzhou live in them, so you'll see them eating breakfast or lunch outside, their beds in the back. There are so many more cars than there were, so the pollution is bad, but so many people still use bikes. Most have switched to electric bikes and/or scooters. You'll see a dad driving with a mom holding the baby behind him, or a grandma with a daughter on the back and a child on the handlebars. You'll see men or women working with huge loads on their bikes, delivering water bottles or boxes. They are such a hard-working people!

Ysha, our guide, said that everyone lives in very small apartments, except the really wealthy who own a home that is not attached to anyone. The wealthy can also have more than one child because they can afford to pay the penalty. Many of the children abandoned because of a medical need is done because the people just cannot afford to have their child's needs met. I think this is what happened with Lizzie. Many are abandoned just after leaving the orphanage if born with a condition. One of the little girls in our group was left near the heart surgery unit just a few days old after being born with a heart condition.

As we drove and walked around, I kept wondering where it was that she was born, where was she those first 3 months. Her finding ad (the one the government places before the child can be released for adoption) said she was tiny, tiny eyes, and was found in big puffy clothes & wrapped in a red blanket. I wish I could have that blanket. So precious. Red is so symbolic in China, she must have had someone who loved her very very much.

I love this city and will always remember it. I hope to go back one day and share it with her in the future. It will always hold a very special place in my heart, and I'm glad we took a day to enjoy it!