Woke up in Shanghai, got delivered to the airport, checked in and had a nice flight on a smaller plane to Wuhan. We were met by our guide here, Kathy who is very nice and extremely helpful. As soon as we left the airport, things around us changed. No longer are we in the land of glass and steel towers with marble bathtubs overlooking the city skyline. The change is a bit shocking. I don't know if the pictures can really tell the story. The roads are full of pot holes, the buildings are old, some falling apart. The roads from the airport into the main city of Wuhan are littered with garbage, packed with cars and motorbikes... no one actually drives in a lane. Everyone just honks and drives wherever there is space. I actually felt like I was in the middle of a Lonely Planet show as we whisked through intersections amid honking and vehicles coming at us from every conceivable direction. The highway we were on had apartments, houses, restaurants, stores, each looking run down, dirty. After an hour and a half ride over the rough road dodging trucks carrying pigs, sewage, building supplies, people, etc we arrived downtown, got to the hotel and quickly learned that English is not spoken much here...and foreigners are very unusual. All the hotel staff was in the lobby upon our arrival. They all know we are adopting babies and watched us come in with curiosity. Our guide, Kathy helped us check in and took us up to our rooms. Our rooms have cribs, baby baths and are ready for our babies.
It was now 8pm and we hadn't had much to eat since breakfast. We went down to the restaurant in the hotel to have something to eat. There was one menu in English...one for the whole hotel. We took turns with it then played charades with our drink orders. Coke is the only universal drink...dad tried for tonic water and that caused a 10 minute consultation amongst all available staff as they tried desperately to get him what he wanted. They want so badly to use their limited English and want to be perfect... they are trying very hard. He finally settled for a Sprite, then Tom ordered a beer. "No beer..sold out" was the response. Instead she brought him a warm Heineken...no bottle opener... Not sure if she didn't know that was beer or if it isn't Tsing Tao it doesn't rate.... Then we were served sandwiches that none of the wait staff could pronounce. Heather asked for some mayonnaise for her sandwich (with the help of her digital translator) and got a large gravy boat full of mayo... It was quite an experience. Kathy is coming tomorrow morning to take us to the Yellow Crane Tower and then to a store to buy bottled water and diapers in preparation for receiving the babies on Tuesday morning.
I am tired from the flight and experience coming into Wuhan. I am so glad we had the time in Shanghai to get into this time zone and have a few days to prepare... We will receive the babies Tuesday, go to court Wednesday then go to their orphanage and finding places in Thursday...it is just about 2 hours away from here. It is sure to be an emotional week!
Our daughter is from Hubei. We stayed at the White Rose and yes it's quite a shock to travel in Wuhan. Once you get outside the city it's more farmland but I doubt you will see the sun during your time there in Hubei due to the extreme pollution. There are villages along the river where the men will actually refuse to marry a girl born and raised there due to the high cancer rates and feeling as if she will die early in the marriage. Very sad. Hubei is famous for Jade and fresh water pearls. Be sure to have your guide take you to the East Lake fresh water pearl factory! :) Also, an afternoon walking around East Lake is a beautiful incredible outing. Congrats on the next part of your journey!!
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