Day 2:
We went to enjoy a day of sight-seeing, taking in the local flavors.
We went to see a Kung Fu demonstration show. It was pretty amazing to say the least. The things these guys could do with their bodies was incredible. For instance, while on all fours, these guys would jump about 5 feet in the air and be on the other side of the stage literally almost in the blink of an eye. Unreal. If the show's director asked to do that, I would have likely had taken a while to just stand up, because of my bad back. While walking across the stage, I would have made a few snide remarks about why I just couldn't have stayed over there, and then asked for a five minute break.
After watching these guys, i came to the conclusion that I was an old fat guy. Eh,... that's ok. We all have our place in life.
We also walked a portion of the Great Wall of China! This is simply an incredible human achievement (not walking it. Building it). The wall was completed before the advent of the internal combustion engine. It's a sight to see that really can't be adequately described. The portion we climb was MUCH steeper than the one we climbed four years ago. Ugh. And it was hot. You gotta do it when you are here though, It was great.
DAY 3
We visited Hidden Treasures Orphanage... what a great operation. Mike and Dena (directors) are truley the hands and feet of Jesus. They go into orphanages and ask to take the kids that "aren't expected to make it through the week". Wow. I know there was much more to the criteria than what I describe here, because Dena kept talking, but I was just trying to wrap my head around that concept. I wanted to cry. That was a powerful moment, trying to grasp that.
The kids in the orphanage were fantastic. Mike (the co-director) wrote in a blog that to have a very sick child to smile is worth more than any paycheck that he'd ever gotten in the U.S. I know what he meant now. To see these kids smile was great. Nancy gave out hats and bracelets made by friends. Smiles from the kids. Little Amy (autistic girl) LOVED her new hat. On her head, off, on, off.........
I made connections with a few kids. I made a few smile. But Luke was a little blind boy I will always remember. He was eager to meet people, and of course, he did so by touch. He would touch all the people's hands to say hi. Knowing he mainly comes in contact with Asian and women's arms, I thought I'd give him a little thrill of Italian arm hair. I let him touch my hand, and I then took his and ran it up my forearm. What a shock! He recoiled his hand and squealed with delight! That was great.
DAY 4
We meet Ariana. Wow. It was a powerful day. Ari cried some. But she is old enough to know something serious is up, so this is very understandable. She has great eyes and speaks very little at this point. She ate well through the day, and she is in good health. What a cutie. She got along great with Anna. She's a little shy and a little scared during the rest of the day.
Anna was a TREMENDOUS help. More than we could have guessed. She was so patient, waiting for opportunities to serve and help and not overwhelming. She was like a little nurse!
Ari’s body weight is distributed like a bag of wet cement. She doesn’t weigh as much as Anna, but it feels like she does. So she feels like a bag of wiggling wet cement when she is in your arms.
DAY 5 (July 23)
We got to do some paperwork (Nancy's specialty). We all went in the van and to the different offices. During the visit to the office where we signed some papers, the office workers all were in the room as I was speaking to Ari. I was telling her that it was ok if she didn't call me Daddy for a while and that she could call me "Ba Ba". Suddenly, looked up at me and lets out with a loud room-filling "Ba Ba!". That was a great birthday gift! Everyone at once went, "Aaaaaawwww!" Well, that scared Ari pretty good... she hugged my neck and started crying. She's so sweet!
My wife got me a birthday cake! that was so cool! Thanks, Nancy! And thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes via e-mail and Facebook. I am a blessed man. :) I had a great day!
I'd like to take a moment though to thank Anna for reminding me, constantly, throughout the day that I was now 46. LOL! But it wasn't too bad, because she then would remind Nancy about how much older SHE was than me, so i was feeling pretty good. :)
We found cuisine-type of comfort in Pizza Hut and Starbucks. Nancy put the girls to bed as the sun set and the boys and I were told that cab rides were plentiful and no trouble for a Pizza Hut run... well guess what. They were half right... The first half of the round trip to Pizza Hut was easy as pie. Getting a cab back to the hotel took guts, patience and a little pushing (I am not proud to say). But you gotta give me a break! We're white guys after dark, in the rain, really far from the hotel and 99% of the cabs had customers! We had to stand IN the traffic to get a cab! I am NOT kidding! IN THE TRAFFIC! Did I mention it was raining?
So we FINALLY got a cab!! HOORAY!, and the driver kicked us out BOOOOO!!!! because he didn't want to drive all the way over to the hotel. (Isn't that his job?) We THINK that was the reason he kicked us out. We're not really sure, as he only spoke Chinese and we only speak English. So we found ourselves in the middle of traffic, positioned perfectly to get a cab or get killed, whichever came first... did I mention it was raining? I could feel Nancy's hot venti non-fat mocha light whip getting cold in my wet hands. Poor Nancy.
Well, we made it back to the hotel finally for more sleep and adventures.
DAY 6
Ariana is doing really well. She is smiling much more and she is much less cautious than she was at first. I am making her giggle like I always wanted too. The biggest surprise is how well she and Anna are getting along. Out of all the interaction they’ve had and out of all the little smacks to the face Anna has received, the two are very much best friends! Anna has really stepped up to the role of a teacher and is SOOOO patient. My goodness, she is incredible.
Ari loves her little Dora the Explorer book Nancy brought her. She also like the “Baby’s First 100 Words” book. So far, in English she has said “thank you” but we’re not 100% sure of that. She does talk in Chinese, but we have no idea what she is saying mostly. No matter. We communicate adequately. She loves to run when she gets the chance and always seems to laugh when she does. She really loves to run down the hall of the hotel. It is SO cute to watch as she trails her big sister.
We found a small slice of America in a place called Salvador’s Coffee House. Looks more like a hippy bar that happens to sell coffee, BUT they have good food! And while traveling abroad, finding a slice of home is very comforting. Yeah, it’s an adventure attempting to procure food and drink in another country unable to speak the language, but sometimes you need zero stress while trying to navigate life abroad. Trying to get Ranch dressing for dipping from KFC is a bit of trouble. You’d think all employees would have that down, even in an aiport!
Well, the girls are up… gotta go.

Mike