difficult, especially with the boys, but we did manage to do a few
things.
We walked to and through the French Concession, shopped at YuYuan
Gardens, strolled The Bund and even took a tacky ride under the river
that separates Shanghai and Pudong. The architecture in Shanghai is
amazing and the size of the city is mind-boggling. It's a shame that
the weather didn't cooperate, but it was certainly worth visiting.
This morning we left at 5:30 to catch an 8 am flight to Fuzhou. The
flight was much better than we expected. Interestingly enough, about
a month ago there was a ban in the whole of China on smoking indoors.
We had heard that it didn't make any difference, but we have noticed a
huge improvement. The airport was not blue with smoke this time,
either in Shanghai or Fuzhou, and although I'm sure the pilot smoked
the whole trip, he was the only one.
We were met by our guide Tracy at the airport and made it to the hotel
easily enough with beautiful countryside, both mountainous and lush on
the way. The hotel itself is okay, probably quite something when it
was new, but we upgraded our room and it will be fine for the 6 days.
Just 1 hour until we meet Elena. We were told that her nickname is
Han Han, she is very spoiled but very loved, and will probably be less
than happy to be with us. All of which is fine by me – we can handle
that. She was not taken back to the orphanage and has been with her
foster parents until now and we might even have the chance to visit
with them. We probably won't take Elena with us (I'll go alone) but
what an opportunity to ask all the important questions directly to
those who have raised her since 4 months of age.
They boys are struggling a bit with the time change and the excitement
of it all. They have been playing mini-sticks and wrestling every
chance they get to blow off some steam, so I'm just hoping they can
sit still for everything we have to do (boring paperwork etc…) or the
officials might decide not to let us have Elena.
I am so envious that Han Han was able to stay with her foster parents until being brought to you!
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