Day 4 - Thurs. Feb. 26, 2004

Julie had requested pictures of each of the kids, so we took some time doing portraits (see them here) to upload to the photoalbum. Got some great pictures, many reflecting the personalities of the kids.

The following paragraph may contain words that may offend many people, although the purpose is not intended to harm anyone. Need to know basis only, reader discretion is advised, adult accompaniment only:

We had quite a conversation around the breakfast table about our first few days with the kids. The comments (sharing of important experiences and information) centered on constipation, poo consistency, and the relative efficiency of prunes, pumpkin, peaches, pears, or peas. (It seemed that most of the kids had this problem - must be the change of diet). Techniques for diapering and changing were exchanged, but the line was drawn (with hoots and hollers) when one father (I won't say who - you know who you are) began to describe the process of getting out a booger! Luckily we had almost finished breakfast.

Off in the bus again, past strip plazas, alleyways, apartment buildings, and ever present construction. Our first stop was the "Nanjing Memorial To The Massacre By The Japanese Invaders". Quite a site, with lots of details and facts to read and see. About 300,000 Chinese were killed during the invasion in 1937. During the next eight years, over 35 million Chinese were killed in conflicts with the Japanese. The memorial included stark gardens with sculptures depicting the massacre, massive rocks moved from nearby massacre sites, inscribed with the story, and a walkway with footprints of some of the survivors recently (1960s) embedded in the cement. A gruesome sight was the original burial ground, behind glass, showing skeletons and bones. A large hall of pictures and memorabilia displayed photos and artifacts from the time. Most of us spent some time there, although it was decided that Samantha, being only six years old (she looks eight or nine), could not go in. Japan has never offered any apology or acknowledged any wrongdoing, and the resentment in China still lingers.

Our next stop was the Brocade Museum, right behind the Massacre Memorial site. Until recently, this was not well known and hard to get to, and today seems tucked away on a back street. We had to walk several blocks to get to it. On the way, we met some local families with children in arms, who wanted to introduce the kids. We gave their kids pencils with the Canadian flag on them, which were much appreciated.

The museum is actually a working Brocade factory and retail outlet, on several floors, with one floor dedicated to cases of ancient Brocade cloth and costumes. On one floor we saw working looms. These were two tiered, with one worker sitting at a high level, pulling levers and strings for the pattern, while the worker on the lower level pushed the shuttle with the proper color of silk thread through the raised and lowered strung thread. Only about two inches of fabric can be made in a day. It is called Yun (or Yung) (Cloud) Brocade, and there is a saying in China that it is more valuable and precious than gold.

We were told that these particular looms were 800 years old, and that the art has been passed on through family groups. Today, they are training a few workers at a time here (it takes 3 years) in this highly skilled and ancient (since 1300) art, the only place in China to use the old techniques. I bought a beautiful night bag and matching hair slide for Zhen's 16th birthday. I also collected a stone, which I brought back for the collection for Zhen's journal.

On the way back in the bus, we passed some of the poorer areas of Nanjing - old shacks and buildings, and local strip malls, looking quite run down. Andy noticed that one take-out food place was handing dishes out the back window to be washed in the alley. There were many rows of government buildings with rattley old air conditioners, and clothes racks extending out from the balconies. At one construction site we noticed that all the workers wore suit coats or sports jackets, and the supervisors were standing around watching in formal dark suits and ties.

Back to the hotel for lunch in the room. We had brought some food from the breakfast buffet, and Andy had a noodle bowl that he bought in the store. However, he also mixed in what turned out to be old pickled radish from a pouch - the rotten smell prompted a toss to the garbage pail. It ruined the whole meal and Andy had to make another. Sometimes experiments don't work out, but Andy continued to be quite adventurous.

We played with Zhen on the bed for a while. We saw that Zhen is developing daily. When we first got her, she couldn't sit up by herself. Now she is sitting by herself most of the time, and is much better at turning over by herself, back to front. She has the habit of sucking on the middle two fingers of her right hand, with the outside fingers splayed out. It is interesting that one of the other babies, Sara, has the same habit, only with the two middle fingers reversed, upside down. Both look pretty awkward, but - whatever works.Other than this, Zhen never puts anything in her mouth, even when encouraged. When fed a bottle, she does not try to hold it, completely splaying out her hands to each side. In the orphanage the "Michelin" suits that they wore all the time (no heat) would discourage bringing hands together, or to the mouth. This would also discourage the development of finger and hand dexterity, and Zhen was behind in this.

After a nap, we went for a first swim in the pool. The hotel had a spectacular pool, with a waterfall into a raised shallow pool, spilling over into the main pool. Andy and Zhen climbed up to the little pool. No objections from Zhen about the cool water - she took in everything with curiosity. Sitting on Andy's lap, she learned how to splash with her hands and kick water with her feet, with great laughter. (See QuickTime video here) (wait a few seconds for it to load). She enjoyed feeling the waterfall.

Came back to the room - and for the first time, Zhen was crying and yelling a lot. At first we thought it was her first tooth coming through, but later decided that she was still constipated. What misery (for Zhen too)! After more complaining, Zhen worked out the problem herself (so to speak), and was back to her happy self again.

For variety, we went out for an Italian meal. It was a nice change, but relatively expensive ($16 CDN each). On the way back, we took in the neon lights, traffic, pedestrians, and the nighttime hustle of a large city on a beautiful cool evening. After a little play in the room, Andy and Zhen fell asleep. After preparing a few bottles, I was not far behind.

(By the way, have you found all the goodies on the home page yet?)