Visit to Yunxiao
This visit was made by an adoptive parent in 2006.
The visit to Yunxiao was an emotional, amazing, wonderful, and unexpected journey. It began on a rainy day in Xiamen several days before I adopted my daughter.
We met our guide and driver at 8:30 a.m. and, armed with water, cameras, extra batteries, snacks and the addresses of the places I wanted to see, we set off in our vehicle. Leaving Xiamen, we crossed the new suspension bridge that connects to the mainland and that looks remarkably like the Golden Gate, and headed south to Yunxiao. We had been told that the drive would take about three hours.
The port at Xiamen was impressive with lots of activity. We passed many big factories--mostly plastics, I think, and a huge Kodak facility. This is a "special economic zone" which means that there are no taxes and land is very cheap.
I was amazed at how hilly Fujian is. As we got closer to Yunxiao, the architecture of the villages and cities changed. We passed huge farms of tea, bananas, and bitter melon. Men and women in limpet shaped hats worked in the fields and seemed oblivious to the driving rain. I learned that there used to be a custom that if you were a poor family the roof of your house needed to be saddle shaped. If you were rich, it was swallow tail shaped. Every village and small farm had a temple. Some were big, and some were simple one room shacks.
It was a virtual downpour when we approached the outskirts of Yunxiao. Our guide's cell phone had been ringing off and on for the hour before our arrival. We stopped just outside the town to await Miss Chen, the director, who was going to escort us to the orphanage. Eventually a car pulled up beside us with Miss Chen in it, and we set off down the narrow rutted road in the pouring warm rain. We made one stop to fix some sort of engine problem and another stop at the police station where a policeman got in her car. Passing bicycles, motor bikes, and people walking, we drove on. The road followed the river, which was muddy and moving fast. We bumped down a short stretch of potholed road to about 50 feet of new asphalt and saw the iron gates and gold letters announcing the social welfare institute.
We were told we would not be able to see inside or look around, which was what I had expected. However, we were ushered into a small room, where we were offered tea and conversation. The policeman spoke pretty good English and served as our translator, and I was able to ask some questions about my daughter. They brought out a basket of peaches and some lychee for us. The peaches were delicious. Eventually they asked us to have lunch with them.
A little while later we got in the van and drove to the town where we were taken to a fancy hotel for lunch. Our guide seemed nervous that we would not like the local food, but when I reassured him that I love local food he began ordering a feast for us. During the meal, we were joined by one of Miss Chen's superiors.
At the end of the lunch, they asked if I would be willing to talk to a local reporter. It seems that I am the first adoptive parent to visit the orphanage. When we got back to the orphanage, the camera crew was there. We were again ushered to the tea room where we were waiting for yet another official to come. He arrived, and then the cameras began rolling and I was asked about why I wanted to adopt this baby with a heart problem.
When it was time to go, I said good-bye and we returned to the van to begin our drive back to Xiamen.
http://adoption.about.com/library/weekly/uc091100f.htm
http://www.fcleague.org/archives/0001_adopting_molly.html
xiamen, april 1997 http://tussah.com/lara/stories/meiling/
http://www.fcleague.org/archives/0001_adopting_molly.html
xiamen, april 1997 http://www.kolumbus.fi/pektori/welcome.htm