Paul took these photos an hour ago. The streets around our hotel constantly hum with activity. With a population of 14 million plus - I guess a little humming is to be expected. With Chinese New Year fast approaching, the movement of people seems to be increasing exponentially. People wait in line at the train station to get a ticket which will allow them to wait in another line for a seat which may or may exist. All of this effort to get back home, wherever that home may be, to spend New Year with their loved ones. This will be Maya's second Chinese New Year - her first with us, and we are now her loved ones. We wish we could stay just a few more days to see the New Year celebrations through the eyes of our child.
Paul and I have very mixed feelings about leaving China. This is our daughter's birthplace. ALL of her history is here, and we will be removing her from it - perhaps forever.
There are some things which we won't miss when we leave China. We won't miss the air quality in Beijing- there is a constant haze from the pollution in the atmosphere. Heaven help anyone who is here in the summer. We won't miss the traffic and the lack of rules of the road. We won't miss having to buy multiple bottles of water because the water in China is undrinkable. We won't miss the sleep deprivation from the jet lag and the stiflingly hot hotel rooms. And no, Hinson, unfortunately, we won't miss the food.
We will miss the breathtaking beauty of both China and its people. We'll miss the streets of Nanchang and the smells of the foods being cooked by the vendors. We'll miss the extraordinary kindness of the people we have met. For me personally, I will miss the palpable connection to Maya's past. I'll even miss the Chinese grannies who wag their fingers disapprovingly at you if they deem your child to be insufficiently clothed.
We will leave China tomorrow at 2:40 pm. We can't wait to get home again and to see our parents at the airport in Toronto. (That is if we can land in Toronto - there may be too much snow !!) I can't wait to see my best buddy Sam - Thank-you Sue and Kelly for taking such good care of him. Thank-you Debi for looking after little Berkeley - I'm not sure that he will want to come home after being with you for three weeks. Finally, thanks to each of you who has taken the time to read our blog, garbled as it often was (is). Thank you for your comments which helped to lift our sagging spirits, especially late at night.
Next step - the dreaded 14 hour flight home !!!
'See' you in Toronto !!
Paul, Angela and Maya
5 comments:
We will meet you in Toronto,have a safe and pleasant flight home.
Mom,Dad
God bless on your journey home where your family will finally be able to shower you with love and affection. You have no idea how my colleagues at Children's Medical Services in Naples, Florida have been touched by your story. PLEASE keep posting up dates when possible as I think it's the only thing that will keep me going until I have the chance to visit in person. Happy Valentine's Day to two amazing parents and one incredibly loved child.
Love,
Susan
Paul & Angela...i have been reading your blog daily...have been reliving our trip vicariously through your blog...your comment about "how people do it in the summer" we were in China in august to pick daughter, i couldn't breathe for the week we were in Beijing...i was constantly tired and drank enormous amounts of gatorade! have a safe trip back to Toronto!
Just heard you arrived home safely. Mom says Maya is adorable and so huggable. She is so delighted! I am so incredibly happy for both of you. I hope you settle in comfortably over the next few days. A prayer of thanks to our Father for your safe return and especially for Maya. Can't wait to talk to you.
Love,
Susan
Paul and Angela,
Your daughter is beautiful! She has such lovely, soft looking hair and big eyes! Just so you know, my cousin's little boy wasn't able to sit on his own until he was about 18 months old. My youngest, Carter, is about 17 months old and he weighs just under 20 lbs. Carter isn't walking yet but he's trying. Besides, you don't want them to walk yet - it's more work! Maya sure drinks a lot of formula. In a day, Carter probably drinks about 28 oz maximum. He loves his Baby Mum Mum's too.
I didn't really care for the food either when I was in China. Luckily, the food did get better with each meal!
I'm glad that you are home safe and sound. It'll probably take a while for Maya to get adjusted but rest assured, it will happen. So you know, Carter was sleeping through the night and then, he started waking up at 1:30AM, 4:30AM for about a week. Lack of sleep is normal for parents with babies/toddlers.
Maya is very lucky to have you and Paul for parents!
Love, Faye
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