We spent the morning with our guide, her son, and a friend of theirs at The People's Park - the largest park in Nanchang. Lots of people were there today dancing, stretching, "exercising" (which consists of "running" on moving/swinging bars) (if this sort of "exercise" would only work for me...), painting calligraphy Chinese characters on the pavement with water and large brushes, singing (karaoke style)into microphones, playing on playgrounds, and generally walking around. I asked our guide why so many people were out and about a 10 a.m. on a weekday and she said most people in China retire at age 45. Wouldn't that be nice!! (although, they are most likely retiring from a much lower salary/wage than that earned by people in the U.S.). As was the case at the parks yesterday, people almost fell over themselves coming up to see Emily and staring at her and talking to her. Our guide translated that most were saying "Oh - look at the foreign baby!" or "Beautiful foreign baby!" They think she is American. Most people here have never seen a person with albinism. When a few asked about her and our guide told them Emily is Chinese, you could see the total shock on their faces. I think the general sentiment of the people here is that the Americans who come to adopt are good people and that the children are "lucky."
The People's Park is beautiful and so interesting. Justin noted that it seemed much like New York City in that people all live in high-rises or apartments here with no yards, so they all flock to the parks to play, exercise, gather, etc... We loved seeing all of the people dancing and writing in calligraphy. Emily LOVED seeing other children and exploring in the stroller and on foot. Our guide says she is the "busiest" baby she has seen in a long time. She also said that many of the babies - even Emily's age - whose adoptions she assists with cannot walk or stand yet. Emily has had a much different experience orphanage-wise than most of the babies with whom our guide works.
We also did some additional shopping for porcelain today. Justin found something nice for his office and we also bought something for the house. I have a feeling though that with Emily, all of our glass stuff is at risk! The child-proofing we did for the boys is going to have to be stepped up a notch with her. Anything at eye level for her is in peril! It may be because she has low vision that she likes to do more exploring with her hands. Or, she may just be a really curious girl. She did really well with varying terrain at the park and with steps. She definitely sees the changes in ground level. I also notice that when she wants to look at something carefully - like a leaf on the ground or a bug or stick, she gets very low to the ground to examine the items closely. From what I've read, that is also very typical for people with albinism. To see fine detail, they usually need to have the object pulled very close. All in all, though, she gets around amazingly well. The albinism moms group told me this was true of their children and, as usual, they were correct! These children all adapt so well and do normal things and really have very few limits at all. Even at 18 months old, Emily watches for cues to tell her when to step up or down. She also seems to see everything. She can find small things, point to things in books, pick up tiny pieces of food or small toys, open small bags and put things in/out, find us in a crowd, etc... She also has a great memory. When we come out of the hotel elevator to go to our room, she knows which way to turn to find it. She mimics everything. We told her how to wave and say "bye bye" when our guide left around 12:30 p.m. and, as soon as we got up to our floor of the hotel, she saw a maintenance worker and put up her hand, waved to him, and yelled "bye bye!" I've been kissing her toes when she wakes up in the morning and before I even said "toes" today, she put her little feet right up to my face and giggled. Funny girl! (Not all glorious behavior though. When she doesn't like food, she throws it on the floor. Also, she can fight and buck in your arms and scream with the best of them. She also does not like to sit in a high chair or to be still for a meal. I think she roamed as she ate at her orphanage. It has been difficult to do anything other than room service if Justin and I both want to have a chance to eat.)
Funny girl video:
Some pictures of the beautiful park:
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