Saturday, May 5, 2012
ALONE IN BEIJING
I started my day out with the breakfast buffet. I was “very”
careful with my choices. A little scrambled egg, rye toast and
some banana slices. Oh yeah – and a full cup of coffee!
I then had to make my way to the business center to make copies
of our adoption paperwork for Sunday. I had all the copies made,
but our standard paper size is not accepted here. Everything has
to be on A4 paper. They charged me 1 Yuan per sheet and I made
52 sheets. 1 Yuan is equal to about $0.16.
Next was our agency orientation. I was really looking forward to
this as I was expecting new pictures of Quinn. Major
disappointment as I received zero pictures and a very scarce
update. We were the only family not to receive pictures. His
orphanage is so strict in regards to the rules. They only give
information that is required – nothing extra. In the update
though it states that Quinn is still sleeping in a crib and they
are giving him a bottle of milk in the morning and at night.
This is not uncommon, even at his age, in many orphanages here
in China. They just do not have the staff to give individualized
care to each and every child. So, I am imagining that they use
the bottles to mass feed. The kids can feed themselves. They are
also more confined in a crib and not free to run about. These
two new bits of information are weighing heavily on my heart. I
just can’t wait until tomorrow.
Tomorrow I will fly to Lanzhou, Gansu to meet Quinn. I was told
today that I will meet Quinn in the hotel. There is a great
possibility that Quinn will be waiting for me when I arrive. So,
this means I have NO time to prepare at all. I land, arrive at
hotel and there HE IS! WOW – all his things will be in my
luggage. This puts a major stress on the day. I would have liked
to have time to put his backpack together and prepare. I spent
part of today trying to be as organized as possible for that 1st
moment. This will also be the only time I will have with his
caregiver(s). I have their gifts ready to go.
It is HOT-HOT here in Beijing. I ventured out of the hotel today
in an attempt to take pictures. I have to admit I was not
comfortable. I really stuck out and obviously couldn’t blend in
with the locals. I spent about 45 minutes walking around and
then went back to my hotel room. Sorry if my pictures are
lacking. Things will pick up in that category tomorrow once I
have our little man!
I really wanted to attend an evening acrobatic show here in
Beijing. No one else in our group was interested as they had a
full day of touring and were exhausted. This left me with a
major decision on going alone by taxi with no guide. I “almost”
decided against it, but took the plunge and went. Our agency
guide said I would be fine. I had to take a taxi there (30
minutes away) and flag my own taxi back after the show. I told
myself I could do this. Well, the hotel staff got me hooked up
with a taxi to the show with no problem. As I sat in the taxi
many thoughts went through my head. This really didn’t feel like
the wisest decision I have made in my life. The Chinese speaking
taxi driver could have driven me anywhere! I just stared out my
window. I could literally touch the cars next to me. Yes – they
were that close! I was right in the midst of the crazy driving
and there was no turning back.
I did make it to the show and was pleasantly surprised to find
out I had an amazing seat. I was 3rd row – center – on the
floor! This was VIP seating! The show was amazing and I was glad
I went, but I knew I had to get back to my hotel. That was still
a big concern. I had the hotel’s business card to show a taxi
driver the address. That seemed simple enough – right? Well, I
found a taxi right away, but this guy told me it would be 50
Yuan. What?! I paid 20Yuan to get there. Now I know that this
was not a time to be frugal, but that was double the price.
Something was not right. I told him no and walked away. I walked
through a crowd of people listening. I tried to find a Chinese
person who was speaking English. I found a Chinese woman who was
very willing to help me flag down a taxi. I explained to her
what just happened and she told me to just get in his car and
say nothing. When I get back to the hotel – call the police!
Heck NO! Is she crazy? I told her no way was I getting in that
car. She told me they are all metered and I pay what the meter
states not what he states. I am not taking any chances like
that. So, she flags down another taxi and I hopped in and she
walks away. I showed the hotel card and the driver shook his
head “no” and pointed for me to get out of his car. I had no
idea why, but I got out. This happened AGAIN when I flagged down
another taxi. I got brave and flagged one down myself. Now I was
getting a little worried and not sure what to do. I went in
search of the nice lady and found her. She told me that they are
NOT allowed to tell me no. They are telling me no because my
hotel is nearby and they will not make a lot of money off me.
She told me I need to be rude. LOL She said get back out there –
jump in a car – say nothing – hand over the card – and if they
say no- I say DRIVE! This was now becoming comical. So, 4th
attempt (with her help) I was successful and made it back safely
to my hotel!
So, now I am going to call it a night! I have an early start
tomorrow. I am meeting my guide in the lobby at 8:30 to head to
the airport! Tonight will be the last night Quinn will go to bed
without a family, without a bedtime kiss and without knowing how
much he is LOVED!
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Caregiver Gifts
Nike Beijing
Work Vehicle
View from 11th floor - Novotel Hotel, Beijing
Where is the Driver?
Countless Chairs
Very Strong Men!
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