April 23, 2011

Finally, we are in Guangzhou.  It is a much more modern and western oriented (we now have a good Internet connection so enjoy the pictures).

As we mentioned earlier on Wednesday April 20, 20111 we were given a huge exception to standard policy and given full access to the orphanage in Xiu Shan.

This is a little village outside of Xiushan

We were met at the interstate exit of Xiushan by a large entourage of cars and people from the orphanage which was quite surprising and somewhat intimidating.  We were then taken to the most famous restaurant in Xiushan for lunch with the leadership of the orphanage.  We dined on grilled duck tongue, goat stew and rabbit....and washed it all down with peanut juice.  It was all very good.

 We were finally brought to the orphanage after lunch and were happy and sad at what we saw.  The staff generally seemed to to care about the children.  The orphanage was dirty but US standards but is considered quite good from a Chinese perspective.

Below is a picture of the main entrance to the orphanage with the Senior Director:

This is a picture of Clara's crib (on the left) and ultimately her home for the first eight months of her life.  We noticed that Clara and the other three children all tend to scratch things with their fingers and were saddened to see the cribs were up against the walls which are likely coated with lead paint (so we be getting Clara tested when we get back to the states).

The orphanage was kind enough to drive us to each of the finding sites (where the girls were abandoned).  Clara was left outside the Songbo Orthopedics Hospital.  There is a 24hour guard stationed at the gate of the hospital so Clara's biological parents wanted to make sure she was found immediately and near a safe place (we are very thankful for this and can only imagine how this has changed their lives).

One last picture to advocate what can be achieved with effective multi-tasking.