Sleeping Beauty

Ni Hao (pronounced Nee how meaning hello)

We took care of another necessary piece of business yesterday afternoon by traveling back to the Provincial Office Building (DMV). We received Joey's Adoption Registration Certificate and then applied for Joey's passport. This of course required another picture at the DMV - Joey only. It will take a few days to process the passport which is expected later this week.

Today was a free day without appointments. Joey slept about 13 hours and we basically had to wake him to get to brunch prior to our 9:30 group bus tour. The first of three stops was at the Six Banyan's Buddhist Temple. Buddhism remains the dominant religion in China but was somewhat suppressed by communism after 1945. It was a little odd site seeing and photographing the temple while people were worshiping. There was actually a ceremony going on in the temple which we were allowed to photograph. In the temple there were three large Buddhas. One representing past life, present life and future life. Reincarnation is a core belief. Sacrifices or gifts left inside the temple included Coke, Nestea, Sprite, oranges and possibly candy.

Next we visited the Provincial Folk Art Museum which is also known as the Chen Clan Academy or Chen Ancestral Hall. In short, this was a 15,000 square meter complex previously used by members of the Chen families (from what I understand a very large group) built over 100 years ago during the Qing Dynasty - like I know anything about that, but that's what this pamphlet says! Now it is an art museum home to porcelain, paintings, embroidery, ornate carvings and statues.

Lastly, the bus stopped at the Provincial Arts and Crafts store. A government sponsored souvenir shop. Actually, there were beautiful paintings, porcelain, jade and the like. Prices were reasonable and quality was guaranteed so you don't have to worry about authenticity.

Joey was an angel throughout, garnering the attention of parents on the bus as well as local merchants and retailers. The hip-hammock works well and he seems to enjoy it too.

Tomorrow Joey has a medical exam and gets his visa photo taken. Shouldn't take too long and we won't travel far so maybe another swim if the weather cooperates.

I'm working on a trip to Pizza Hut and have a couple other families interested. Zoo on Saturday.

More later.

Tom, MB, Joey