China has several billion people with 56 different subgroups. 99% represent a majority of Chinese people and the reminding 55 are minorities. Like most minorities everywhere some of them live a much harder life because of discrimination. In the Yunnan province where Kohl is from all of the minorities are represented. It is the most diverse province in all of China. So in Kunming they have an Ethnic Village where you can learn about the various groups of people. This was our most relaxing day while in Kunming. We loved walking around the villages and learning about the beautiful people of China. They had "villages" set up where you would see a typical house for that area, their temple, and there were often little shops to buy souvenir type items.
Here are some pics from the day. I will put more on Facebook!
We are really enjoying Guangzhou except for the very hot weather. We definitely will always love that about Kunming! All families adopting from China must come to Guangzhou because that is where the US Consulate is and he must obtain a visa to come home with us. So we arrived Friday evening and spent Saturday morning at medical appointments. He saw an ENT, a nurse who checked his height, weight, and temperature, and a general doctor who basically did like a checkup. This appointment must be completed because you have to have an updated medical report during your consulate appointment. Today we will spend the day sightseeing and shopping! There are awesome pearl and jade markets here that we will visit as well as places for traditional souvenirs.
One of the things that is different in Guangzhou is that we are now with other families. In our province there were other adopting families, but they were with other agencies so we saw them at breakfast usually, but not throughout the entire day. Now, there 8 Lifeline families (our agency) ànd 2 Small World families and we have the same guide. That means we do lots together! We all rode on a charter bus together to the doctor yesterday and will all be on the bus for sightseeing and shopping today. Last night we joined 3 other families for dinner at a Mexican restaurant (it was no Baja, but it will fill in until I can get back!) It has been awesome connecting with other adopting families. Many have adopted before and their insight is wonderful! We are making awesome friends and hope we'll stay connected in years to come. It's also been sweet to see Kohl interact with other kids his age. He didn't really get to do that in our province so he has loved meeting new friends! He especially loves sharing whatever he is eating with them.
Many of you are probably wondering how things are going with me (mommy) and Kohl. He has made progress every single day. If you remember on gotcha day after I handed him to Chris he was not interested in me anymore at all, except he did let me feed him. I have continued to feed him every single meal and every bottle. I think this started our bonding. I have also been the one changing him and bathing him, but for a few days daddy was right there holding his hand or playing with him. Now I do both of these things without daddy. He has started to play with me a lot. We've played a lot of pretend eating/drinking, colored in a coloring book one of my sweet students gave him, and lots and lots of "where's Kohl/where's mommy?" He loves this one! He had made HUGE progress and we are both so thankful for this blessing.
Thanks again for your continued prayers and your words of support and encouragement.
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