Beijing Day 1 Summer Palace Beijing Zoo

MingGe was sad today.  She would not let Mama do much except brush her hair.  Jack, however, could do no wrong.  We went to the Summer Palace and she held on to Jack's hand the whole time.  She also sat with / on top of him in the taxis.  MingGe enjoyed an ice cream and climbed all the way up to the Buddha temple.  No pictures to post for this amazing site because we lost our camera later in the day )-:  Baba was ok.  Although she was not overly affectionate to him and Jack was clearly number 1, John could help with certain things.  

We left the Palace and went to the Beijing Zoo.  MingGe was very excited to see the Pandas.  We saw at least 8 Pandas.  We ate lunch at the zoo.  Probably our worst meal of the trip so far but edible.  This is what I would expect if I visited a zoo in the states too!  We also viewed the lions, amphibian house, tapirs and misc birds and creatures.

After the zoo we went back to the hotel for a nap.  MingGe was not interested.

We decided to go out for Italian for dinner for a change.  Unfortunately we did not arrive at the restaurant until 6 and there was a short wait.  By the time we were seated and ordered it was 6:30.  MingGe was toast.  She refused to eat and laid on Jack's lap, then the floor.  Before we left she threw up.  Once we got in the cab she fell asleep on brother Jack.  When we got back to the room she was happy as a clam...  She went to sleep without a problem.  Considering this is the first day without seeing Aunti Migyeong, Auntie Elaine or Christina, I think she did very well.  No meltdowns, no crying...she just wasn't as happy and carefree as we have witnessed several times over the past week in Shenyang.  Lesson learned, MingGe really needs to eat around 5 and be back to her home by 6!

MingGe's Words

Today MingGe said in English:

Let's go Jack. Put your shoes on.

Wait for me

Brush (teeth to Baba)

Thank you

Please

You're welcome

Yes

Black

Pee Pee

John believes she will be fluent before we leave China!

D

Pictures of Liaoning Mansion

We really enjoyed our stay here.  The service was outstanding.  After they saw John walk to get an English paper the first day, they had one delivered to our room each day.

When they saw John walk laundry to the cleaners they asked if there was a problem with their service.  John explained if he were only doing 5-6 items he would certainly have it done in the hotel, but we were having over 50 items done and it was cheaper outside the hotel.  We did use their service when Jack and MingGe wiped out and ended up in a black, muddy puddle.  We dropped off black clothes about 10:30 and they were delivered to our room by 5:00.  Beautifully pressed and clean!

Everyone knew Jack and MingGe's name and really went out of their way to make us feel welcome.

I like Cheese - Reflections on our first week in China

As we complete our first week in China I thought I would make some comments about our trip so far.  

1.  Everyone we have met has been extremely friendly and helpful.  

For example, MingGe has sensitive skin (like Mama) and needed some diaper rash cream.  John went down to the front desk.  They speak pretty good English, but how do you translate diaper rash cream?   After pointing to his butt and drawing a tube of cream, they asked him if he needed to go to the hospital!?!?!  LOL

When they finally figured out that it was for MingGe they grabbed him by the hand and walked him down the street to the pharmacy, helping him purchase some aloe.  The next morning, one of the ladies from the marketing department who had heard about our request also bought us a tube and brought it to our room.

2.  I was hoping to lose some weight in China but that is NOT going to happen.

We have totally enjoyed every meal we have had here.  The only thing I really miss is cheese.  Dairy is not as common here as the states, probably due to the refrigeration requirement.  Even the water and soda coolers here are turned off at night.  Most drinks are served warm.

3.  Have a mentioned the beds?   I believe the Liaoning Mansion is a 4 star hotel.  We had a suite which was very large, even by Western standards.  The  living room had enough room to put a rollaway on one end and still be out of the way.  Our bedroom had a King bed which Jack, MingGe and I slept in.  I am not actually sure there it was a bed though - more like concrete with a sheet on it.  John decribed as a  boxsping with a sheet.  I don;t mind sleeping on the floor, so it was fine.  I am not sure Uncle Harry and Aunt Ali would have survived.  Not Sleep Number here!  I have heard this is the same of all authentic Chinese hotels.  Although we could have stayed at the InterContinental, I am glad we experienced a more tranditional hotel.

4.  Shenyang is a large city.  We will miss it.

Our hotel in Beijing is called the Luxury Serviced Residence.  And it is a residence.  It has two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room and second living room where I am now with a desk - also 2 bathrooms - hoorah!  It is two floors and furnished in Scandanavian style.  There are tall windows that span both floors and there are balconies in both bedrooms with spectacular views of  Beijing.  It is bigger than Elaine and Migyeong's apartment and actually bigger than most apartments in Portland Me or any other big city.  Did I mention that it is $100 per night with taxes and fees?  The larger hotels in Beijing like Marriott and Hilton are $250-300 per night, just for comparison.

I can't help but wonder what MingGe thinks though.  First we go from a suite to a huge apartment.  When we get to Guangzhou on Tues and check in to the room with two beds I am sure she is going to think - what's going on here???!?!?!

Today we are going to the Summer Palace and then to the zoo to see the Pandas.  I hope my little girl has a good day.

D

MingGe is a Brave Little Girl

We left Shenyang today.  Elaine and Migyeong hosted a lunch at the Green Restaurant in our honor.  It was amazing.  It is called the Green Restaurant because I think it is equivalant to an organic restaurant in the US.  You walked around a large fish tank about 100 feet long with buffets of dished prepared and set up all along the sides.  Each one had a number, including the tanks, and you place your order.  It was terrific.

However, the time I had come to dread was upon us.  I did not sleep the night before as I went through all the scenarios that would occur when we tried to leave.  MingGe is very smart and knew exactly what was going on.  She started to get upset in our dining room which was very far from the exit.  This place was the size of Super Walmart and we were in the back corner... We got her to the door because she had left her gift for Christina, our guide, in the van.  However at that point we had to pick her up and forcibly restrain her as she screamed for Auntie Migyeong.  It broke my heart.  

The good news is MingGe cried for about 2 minutes.  Mama on the other hand could not control herself.  I was so worried about my little girl and my heart was breaking for Migyeong.  When I finally pulled myself together, John lost it.  As we approached the train station we were sad to leave Shenyang but looking forward to our life with MingGe.

MingGe grabbed right on to Christina and would not let go.  She shot dirty looks at John and I the whole way to Beijing.  The train was beautifully clean and the ride was smooth.  It took 4 hours.  John just sat and stared at the countryside.  He totally enjoyed it.  Jack read - first time her had done homework since arriving in China - and watched a movie.  MingGe did sleep for about an hour.

When we arrived we grabbed a cab to our hotel.  As soon as we hit the lobby MingGe started to get upset and asked Christina to stay through dinner, then she would "send her off".  She helped us to the room and then agreed to walk us across the street to 7 Eleven to get some quick noodles for dinner.  By this time it was 6:30 and MingGe was tired, upset and very hungry.   MingGe threw up on the floor at 7 Eleven.  This is probably the 6th time she has been sick.  It is always when she is upset and she is fine immediately following.  Finally as we approached the door she started to melt down.  John picked her up and she would not let go of Christines fingers and was kicking.  I hugged and thanked Christina and we ran out the door.  MingGe cried for about 30 seconds.  When we got the room we made dinner and Jack and MingGe started playing.  They ran aroud screaming and laughing until 10 PM.  She was that happy, playful girl we had seen over the past two days!

She also called out to me several times tonight!  She had been calling Baba when she was wanted to show him sonething.  But she had not called for Mama until tonight!   We went to bed with a kiss and hopes that MingGe would be happy with our family!

D

MingGe is a Girly Girl!

Watch out Baba (Dad) MingGe will have you playing Barbies and dressing up in your best tutu before you know it!

The transformation of MingGe over just the past few days has been remarkable.  Let me tell you a few things about my little girl.  First, like all good parents, I must say she is very bright.  Did you know her name means "Bright One".  She wanted to go to breakfast in the morning and Jack was dragging his feet.  MingGe said, as clear as day, "Let's go Jack!"  

At dinner tonight the guide asked Jack in English how many dumplings he ate.  Jack said he had five and they were delicious.  MingGe said in Chinese "How come he had five and I only had one?"  Clearly this little girl understands alot more than we think she does!!!

When we get on any elevator and ask her to push a button, she selects the right one.  I guess we know colors and numbers!

What has really changed is how happy she has been over the past two days.  She sings as she is walking along, skips, giggles and plays tricks on Baba and Jack.   Although she misses Migyeong terribly, I think she is also growing fond of her new family.  At dinner tonight she told Migyeong she loved her new family but she misses her.  Her only meltdown today was after dinner.  We met Elaine, Migyeong and Tommy's family  for dinner at the Christian restaurant.  When we left MingGe was tired and she did not want to leave Auntie Migyeong.  She cried when we got in the cab for about 5 minutes.  She did fall asleep in the cab and went straight to bed when we got back to the hotel.    We are leaving tomorrow for Beijing and I do not know how it will go.  I am sure it will be harder on Migyeong than anything I can imagine.  She is such a nice soul and I am sure she knows MingGe will have a happy life full of love and endless possibilities in the US, but that does not make it any easier to say goodbye.  A visit next year is already planned, but boy does that seem a long way off.  

I've got to go back to sleep.  It is 4 AM and I am hoping to catch an hour or two more of sleep.

D

Pictures from Mar 4