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6th June
The wrong stop on the subway, doubling back on ourselves by 6 stops and then a taxi driver who clearly got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, Linda and I finally arrived with wet hair and feet at the orphanage in Qibao.
2 large black gates and a huge, black glassed building faced us. In the background were some animal models 'roaming' the grass and small pretend bell tower. This was not what I was expecting!
Stood under our umbrellas, Linda exchanged some words with the guards, who were sat comfortable and warm inside a small office by the gates. Linda looked at me disappointed, "They won't let us in!" She pleaded some more and not long after a man came from inside to talk to us (well Linda!) Basically, we couldn't enter the orphanage as the man who usually does the guided tours was away and he wasn't sure what rooms we were and weren't allowed in. 'Why are some rooms hidden?' I thought to myself. We had to call up and make a reservation so they could prepare. Again I pondered, 'preparing what?'
In 2005, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said there were 573,000 orphans yet UNICEF say there are over 21 million orphans in China. It seems that there is a big discrepancy between the national and international figures on Chinese orphans. Whatever the figure may be, 500 of these orphans are here at this orphanage ranging from the ages of a few days old up to 18. The man said I would be allowed to volunteer at the orphanage after receiving some training but I asked that I visit before deciding on this.
That evening I researched online about the orphanage, apprehensive after our first encounter there.
"In the mid-1990s, it was the focus of massive controversy following the publication of a report by the civil liberties group Human Rights Watch and the screening of a Channel 4 documentary, The Dying Rooms, in 1995, that filmed children being left to die in secret rooms in the orphanage. In September last year, the old building, cold, grey and in a terrible state of repair - was closed. Each child was assigned to a soldier, who personally transported them to a new building on the outskirts of town. In a bid to revamp its image and reflect some of the western models of care it has tried to adopt. This is clearly a showpiece orphanage, grand in design, with a clock tower that is a mock of Big Ben and plays English nursery rhymes"
(I have left out the name of the orphanage I visited, not wanting to get in 'trouble' with the online government 'laws' The last thing I want is them blocking me from getting onto my blog!)
Linda has managed to reserve us a visitation time on Friday 24th and although I'm a bit hesitant about going, I'm still excited, hoping that it turns out to be as good as Sanyu Babies Home in Uganda, with my love and care towards the children.
8th June
Beth's cousin, Dylan, had been travelling China for 5 weeks and was ending his tour in Shanghai. Tonight was his final night and as most of us do on our final nights away, we have the attitude of, 'well blow it, it's my last night' And even though, obviously this wasn't the case for us, Beth and I went along and spent a lot of money.
Our first stop was on the middle of line 10, Xintiandi, to Din Tai Fung restaurant which has been ranked in the Top 10 best restaurants in the world and the king of dumplings.
Jackie Chan and Mel Gibson sat beside us, painted on the wall with their autographs below, as we ordered. First to come out was, Hairy Crab and Shark Fin Dumplings. It just tasted like crab to me, but I suppose Shark fin cut up so small isn't really going to have much of a taste. Next was, Goose Liver and Pork. It had too much of a game taste, enough that I had to dip the dumplings in vinegar. And lastly was Pork and Chicken, my favourite of the three.
Next thing we were 263 metres high, in the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. A thick glass bottom allowed us to walk on top of the traffic that sped by underneath us or the dots for people who stood around. A steep ticket price, but it's on the list of things to do, so, check!
A taxi ride took us to the Captain Bar, with an outside balcony that looks across the river to the classic Shanghai landscape scene of the many buildings.
Many beers and conversations and the laughter high we saw in the early morning sun before vacating to our beds.
10th June
A +256… number tried ringing me last night but only this morning I realised who it was; Madam Jane! I rang her back straight away this morning. She answered in her typical Jane fashion, squealing and giggling. Boy have I missed her voice!! She put the phone on loud speaker to some of the pupils in class, "Listen, it is Madam Emma, say hello" and suddenly many shouts and screams from the boys and girls in the classroom echoed through the phone. It gave me goose bumps. Ohh Uganda I miss you!
It was such a lovely way to start my day x x x
- comments
Vicky Where in Uganda did you go? I recently returned from there and can't wait to return!
Emma I was living in Bulenga, Wakiso District :D Where were you and how long did you go for? I absoultly LOVE Uganda!!