On Thursday morning we were up early to make our trip to ZaoZhuang where Claire's orphanage is located.
We had been anticipating this trip for a long time but wasn't entirely sure that we were going to get to go. When we got our final itinerary, it was listed and I was told that it was confirmed. This was a very big deal because Claire is only the second child from the orphanage to be adopted internationally. Our friends, the Dotsons, were not allowed to visit when they came to get their son, so I wasn't counting on it until we were actually there.
We made the trip by train which was a really great experience. We were met at the train station by the assistant director of the orphanage and one of Claire's nannies. It took about 45 minutes to get to the orphanage and when we arrived there were many people outside awaiting our arrival.
They had cameras and seemed genuinely happy we were there. We were escorted upstairs to a nice conference room where we were served fruit and the director, Mr. Lu gave us the history of the orphanage. We talked for some time and then headed for a brief tour. We saw some of the rooms in which Claire spent her time.
We also were allowed to visit the babies that were there. We were not allowed to bring the kids or take pictures. This was heartbreaking because we knew that these children were considered "too disabled" to be adopted. The sadness of it was overwhelming, but at the same time we know that Director Lu and his staff are very good, kind people who give care to their children that is just not available in larger orphanages. Soon after leaving these rooms, we left the orphanage. Many of the nannies had tears but Claire was ready to go.
They had cameras and seemed genuinely happy we were there. We were escorted upstairs to a nice conference room where we were served fruit and the director, Mr. Lu gave us the history of the orphanage. We talked for some time and then headed for a brief tour. We saw some of the rooms in which Claire spent her time.
We also were allowed to visit the babies that were there. We were not allowed to bring the kids or take pictures. This was heartbreaking because we knew that these children were considered "too disabled" to be adopted. The sadness of it was overwhelming, but at the same time we know that Director Lu and his staff are very good, kind people who give care to their children that is just not available in larger orphanages. Soon after leaving these rooms, we left the orphanage. Many of the nannies had tears but Claire was ready to go.
Director Lu had planned a lovely day for us. We were taken to a city monument that commemorated the first battle between the Chinese and Japanese during the second world war.
It was an amazing place with beautiful architecture including a spectacular temple.
After a couple of hours there, we left for Lunch which was an adventure and deserves it's own post and pictures!!
It was an amazing place with beautiful architecture including a spectacular temple.
After a couple of hours there, we left for Lunch which was an adventure and deserves it's own post and pictures!!
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