The Work Begins...

It was a beautiful sunny day in Yizhou City and we were ready to do what we came to do...work! Soon, a van came to get us to bring us to the Yizhou SWI where we would be meeting the foster kids. The door opened, and there before us were some foster moms and kids who would be driving with us!!



We drove through the streets of Yizhou City and soon we approached the gate of the orphanage


There were lots of smiles



Older kids helped younger ones...





The faces just melted into our hearts





Both young and old were there...












Soon Peter began to organize the games





And Iain encouraged the elderly residents to come play games too


A sweet new life was there for us to hold and love


We tended to those who needed help and offered lots of hugs...



We watched in awe as kids were kids of all ages

New friends were made...


and everyone played

The afternoon flew by and soon it was close to dinner...


At the Chinese version of Kentucky Fried Chicken!!






Outside we had balloons, and one last photo before saying goodbye...with more work to come!!

Congratulations Ingeborg :-)

Well done Ingeborg! Good guess. It was indeed an alligator:-)
I really didn't want to ask what it was doing there.......but I don't suppose it was as a pet?
The children had seen it earlier with Iain, but by the time we arrived it was being put back in the van.
Very sad really :-(

Send me your address & I will deliver your prize as promised ;-)

Linda

A Day at Our Market, Jinchengjiang, Hechi

After a good night's rest, the adventure begins.......and we set out from Hechi City Hotel thro our favourite square and down to the river in the Jinchengjiang area where the market takes place each day .......it is always so special to us to be able to wander each year & just experience our China.

This is "our special place"

And it was our special day "just for us"

It was great to be wandering along our road heading for the fun...........

and round the corner into our Market by the river

Ordinary people going about their daily business, selling food.....

.....cleaning shoes

...shopping....

.......squeezing into quipaos

........just checking out the crazy foreigners :-)

animals everywhere....

...................didn't want to ask what these were?????There is a prize for anyone who can guess what was in this bag?

Seriously - add your guesses in the Comments below - first correct answer WILL receive a prize ;-)



Fun for the kids

Meeting with friends.....

Just strollin with friends......

An escapee running away with his wee split pants...... Eilidh looks on anxiously......

Caught by Mama...and all is well again :-)

You really don't want to know what this man is about to do?

Dog travels in style!

This is definitley an Outdoor Party!!!!!!!!!

It seems that the whole of life is encapsulated in this area - we have seen singing, dancing, playing, fighting, selling, talking.

We have never seen any other Westerners & are sure the locals recognise us each year we return. We no longer even notice the stares or the crowds that gather round every transaction we make. We have become excellent hagglers and have some excellent bargains for our girls!

Our Special Tree ....

........at the end of our market & on the way back to our Hotel.

Then back up to the main sreet of shops where Matthew & the girls just HAD to try out the Hula Hoops

Rythmn & Style :-) What can we say?????

At the end of our long working days, the special treat for the girls was an escape to

THE BOUNCY HOUSE

where they bounced for ages &

caused much confusion when the Chinese children wanted to speak with them :-)

This whole area comes to life in the evening with people dancing, doing aerobics & children playing.

A wonderful place to unwind after some VERY busy days.

At the end of a long, but happy day, in pyjamas which have a "story" all of their own :-)

Next morning, off to work!!!!!!!!!