Last days in Nanchang

When Kalvin & I started this adoption process more years ago than I can remember we contemplated requesting a referral from the same province as our first adoption.  We finally decided against it so we might be able to see more of China, well that darn snow/ice storm really put a kink in that idea.  Our time in Nanchang was very muted and kinda sad.  We didn’t get a chance to go to the city of the orphanage, which was one and a half hours away and would have given us a great chance to see the country side.  We did get the touring done in the city that they had planned, but as I had been warned before there is not much to see in Nanchang, which was a big disappointment.  So on our heritage tour we will have to make sure we get to drive to Fuzhou City.  But we did get to see the temple and the park on the last day in Nanchang and it was beautiful.  Part of the temple grounds are under major renovations because a subway is being installed in Nanchang and one of the stops will be at the temple.  We got to shop on the “porcelain street” where I picked up a great tea set for Rorrie and a hand painted plate with a picture of the temple.  This temple (which I can’t remember the name of right now… but I will update with it later) is the most famous spot in all of Nanchang.  So I felt it was important to get something with it in the theme.  The temple is dedicated to the “Shakespeare” of China and everything in it is built around the number 8 and 9…. 89 steps, 99 pillars, 88 windows… and the artwork inside it dedicated to poetry which Jiangxi Province is famous for throughout China.

 

We got to visit People’s Park which was very beautiful and covered with snow!!  Many locals were out taking pictures because this kind of weather doesn’t come to Nanchang very often and it was the most snow many of the younger people have ever seen.  The park is used by everyone in the city, they have exercise equipment build like we would have children’s play grounds and everyone can use it.  We didn’t get to see anyone doing Thai Chi but it is often done in large groups at this park. 

 

After our last touring one of our guides, Evelyn, took me out to purchase the washing machine for the Fuzhou Orphanage.  I may have explained that Kalvin’s co-workers decided for Christmas this year to support Rorrie’s Orphanage and put together an incredibly amazing donation which allowed us to go to a local department store and purchase a much needed washing machine for the orphanage.  The funds allowed us to get the best brand in China “Little Swan” with the largest capacity for them clean the most diapers.  The store and the orphanage director made plans for it to be delivered and we had enough to cover that cost as well, so the orphanage didn’t have to come up with the funds to transport it all the way to Fuzhou!  Evelyn said it was a wonderful bonus because the orphanage doesn’t have very large cars to move something so big.

 

Our two guides, Evelyn and Sissi were amazing and a big help to all of us.  Nanchang was hard for us… the storm kept us inside and the hotel was FILLED with cigarette smoke!!  They smoked everywhere… at the ice cold restaurant (because it is in the lobby and they don’t heat the lobby… remember the ice/snow storm… well let us just say eating hot food when we get to Guangzhou will be a big treat!)…. In the hallways, the lobby even in the elevators!  It was great to get outdoors and breath some air!  I can remember how wonderful the park just smelled!!  But it was hard to leave Nanchang and not get to visit Fuzhou… we weren’t able to buy anything from her home city so Nanchang will be the closest we can get. 

 

More later about our arrive in Guangzhou, the new airport… yeah!!.... and Shamian Island.