Nanjing City Wall

We had a full day of sightseeing today. We started out at the Nanjing city wall. We went to the largest gate entrance and walked around for a while. They had a garden area with bonsai trees that was very nice. We climbed up the stairs and were able to walk around on top of the structure. There is a large flat area where Kay said buildings once stood, but have been destroyed. She said now the locals like to come there to fly kites.

Then we went to a local lake and garden area. It was very beautiful with lots of lotus floating in the water. We happened upon an area where they harvest oysters and then sell them in a shop. I ended up going a little crazy buying jewelry there. I just thought it would be so much more special to buy pearls from Xin Yi's home province. It was funny that our guide had never been to this lake or garden before, but our driver actually suggested it and took us there.

We then headed back for naps. Xin Yi and I slept until 5 pm and then headed out to pick up the developed pictures from the disposable cameras I sent to her orphanage. They turned out really great. They had pictures of her opening the care package I sent in December, of her birthday and eating the birthday cake I sent, and opening the care package I sent with Peg two weeks ago. I purchased a CD with those prints. I will try to load those on the computer tomorrow. We also grabbed our clean laundry and some dinner. We tried the chinese restaurant in the hotel again and I used the orders Nancy provided. Xin Yi really liked the noodle soup as you can see from the pictures. I thought everything was very good. I am going to have her write some more dishes for me tomorrow.

Xin Yi has done very well today. She scared me this morning because she got so quiet and sad on the bus. I asked Kay to see what was wrong with her (I thought maybe her stomach hurt). She wouldn't answer Kay (she had only just met her), so I just held her on my lap until we got to the city wall. Then she rode in Sam and Nancy's stroller (Samuel won't sit in it) and seemed fine. By the time we left there she was pretty much back to her old self. I don't know if she was scared by a new person or what. She has been showing a clear preference for her mommy today, but still goes freely to other people at times. When we go to get off the bus, she gets upset when the driver or someone tries to help her down and calls for mama. Also, Kay kept wanting to hold Xin Yi. She is usually OK for a little while, but then she wants mama again. She still calls me "ayi" sometimes, but is saying mama more and more. I realized yesterday that she has never called anyone mama before and my heart broke just thinking about it. I love this little girl so much it hurts. I am so blessed!