Thursday, June 25, 2009

Nanning Day 4

Today is our last day in Nanning. We have a tour of the Green Mountains this morning and then we leave tonight for Guangzhou at 8:20 pm. Yesterday, we went to a small rural village an hour from our hotel. The countryside was beautiful - tall limestone mountains covered in trees. Getting to see the village life was so nice, as we didn't get to see anything like that on our last trip. The people work very hard to put fresh food on their table every day. Only 20-30 families live in this village, but it is quite a production every single day. Fresh meats are brought in every morning and laid out on tables for people to choose for their meal that day. There are tons of fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, live animals to kill, etc. It looks like an open air market every day. Although to us it has the appearance of an area of extreme poverty, many of these people used to live in mud houses, but they have made money from growing rice and now live in brick houses. Among the brick houses were a few very nice, modern looking homes for the wealthiest in the village. I think the women are the hardest workers here - working in the rice fields, preparing the vegetables and fruits, taking care of the children, building houses, fixing roofs, doing the laundry by hand in a pond that catches mountain water - while many of the men sit under shade trees and play cards. So maybe I'm not going to move her after all. ha ha

The people were very nice and used to adoptive families taking a tour through their village. I wanted to ask if they get paid for us to go through there, but I didn't. Our guide said that we could take as many pictures of the people as we wanted. When we got to the second half of the village and I showed them a picture of a little boy I had taken, they started lining up to have their pictures taken. I am going to develop them, send them to our guide and she will take them to them. The people in the village spoke their own dialect and neither of the guides could communicate with them.

Since last night was our last night in Nanning, we asked Kara if there was anyplace special she wanted to go. She chose the Brazilian Barbeque. Our guide, Mary, said this was the most special of restaurants in Nanning. The servers come around with all sorts of meats and fish on large skewers and shave off all the meat you want until you say you are full. I thought the food was very good, but Leila, our meat eater, decided she was a vegetarian last night. I think it is so good for her to be here to appreciate how vastly different everything is going to be for Kara once we return home.

Well, off to shower and then Skype Mia and my mom. We called home for the first time Wednesday night and it was so great to their voices. I am thrilled to say that Mia has been doing very well at home and that this has been a great opportunity for the two of them to bond. (MMMMMMMMMWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, Mia!! We love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

19 comments:

a Tonggu Momma said...

"I think it is so good for her to be here to appreciate how vastly different everything is going to be for Kara once we return home."

What insight. I'm enjoying following your journey so, so much. I am so happy for y'all. And I am learning, too.

Marla said...

Love the photos, it sounds like y'all are having a wonderful experience there. Enjoy Guangzhou!!!

fleur de lis cottage said...

Glad you guys are doing well. I love your cuties in their matching outfits!

day by day said...

My most favorite part of both our China trips was visiting the country/villages!!

I was never too brave when it came to eating in China...definitely more along the lines of vegetarian. : )

It is always a little bittersweet leaving our children's Province, isn't it?

That is great that Mia is doing so well at home!!!

Anonymous said...

Love the pictures!

I bet you miss Mia like crazy, but from the sound of it she is in GREAT hands:)

Ashley

ellieshine said...

What a fun time you are having - and what a wonderful experience for Leila.

That is so cool that you will send the photos to the villagers - I wonder if they have photos of themselves?!

Jboo said...

Thanks for letting me follow along -- am really enjoying following your journey. Your girls are adorable. Glad that all is going so well.

Janet

Sherri said...

I'm loving the pictures. You all look like your having a great time.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I have been catching up tonight.......seeing China through your eyes, or lens:) has been magical!! These pictures are really great.....it makes me feel like I am right there with you walking through the village!!

Sounds like everything is going very well......it is so good to see the girls skipping along together.....they look so cute in their coordinating outfits!!

Safe travels,

Lisa

Rachel said...

Your pictures of the villagers are great and the girls are adorable in their matching outfits.

I hope your trip to Guangzhou was uneventful. As an FYI - there is a brazilian bbq place in Guangzhou, too, if you wanted to go again!

Look forward to your next update.

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

Hi Michelle~Your posts and pictures are exactly as I would expect--amazing and awesome. You are so kind and thoughtful.

I love seeing Kara and Leila together and think Leila is doing a wonderful job helping Kara with this transition and welcoming her into the family.

I know you miss sweet Mia but I hope you are absolutely at peace about her being at home. Thank God for all the technology available to make these trips a bit smoother emotionally, right?!

Hugs to all of you and I'm praying for you and Nolan to have wisdom as you learn to parent Kara.

Love,
Lisa

mommy24treasures said...

loving all the photos, thank you for posting them.

So glad to here Mia is doing so well. That has to help you so much.

Gail said...

You are having an amazing trip I can tell...our's last Summer was too. We were fortunate to be able to see villages like this both times we traveled.

Your girls are adorable together...hope you arrived safely in Guangzhou...now for some shopping!

Sammy said...

Really, the men just sit while the women work?! Now that makes me mad!! : - )

Shawnstribe said...

Praying for you guys!!!
as a Brasilian i'm glad you liked the restaurant, i loved the photos!!!!
xxx
s

De Lucchi Family Treasures said...

Hi Michelle, I am loveing following your journey and so happy to see that thngs are going so much better than you hoped. We are praying for you.
Love Jules
xxx

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Michelle, Nolan, Kara, Leila and Mia at home,

I am off on vacation for a bit so I might not be posting and checking in as often.

Know that I am continuing to pray for safe travels and your arrival back home as a family of 5!!!

Blessings and Hugs, Ashley

PS - Don't know what happened with my first post;)

Rebecca Lily said...

Michelle, I am loving your posts from China! So thoughtfully written... I love reading about your experiences, seeing the pictures, and hearing your heart through your words. Glad Mia is doing well at home, that must be such a relief!

Love,
Rebecca