Saturday in Hefei

Today was an amazing day as we visited the small village that we think Meng spent her first three years in. We had been told by the orphanage when we adopted Meng that she had lived with a foster family in the country for three years and was brought back to the orphanage when she was three years old for school. After some searching on the internet I think I found the village where the foster family lived. Today we visited that village which turned out to the 16 small villages linked together. There were concrete buildings along the road where people live and some had small stores. Behind the buildings was farm land. There was one main road and I must say the driving here is pretty intense, Beijing was like watching a dance of cars weaving in and out of the lanes, here it is fend for yourself and cover your eyes! We saw many people out and about since it is Saturday, an open air market, big cows on the side of the street, skinned chickens hanging upside down, stray dogs, many bicycles, more motorcycles, many sweet babies and children all bundled up with many layers of clothes to protect them from the cold. Also many beds hanging outside to air out.
This afternoon we found the street where Meng was found and the police station she would have been taken to. The street is being resurfaced and was closed, but we were able to get a few pictures. The new building in Hefei is everywhere. They are definitely trying to build up a new city here. Many torn down buildings, with people living on the ground floor. You can tell the city is trying to become more modern, but getting outside of the city you still see old buildings.
Tomorrow we are visiting a thousand year old city about a hour and a half from Hefei. It should be interesting to go again out of the city. This really feels like the China I have imagined. We have such a better picture of Meng's life in her early years. This is the visit that we planned the entire trip around and we have not been dissappointed.
On Monday we will visit the Hefei orphanage. We are very excited to see the orphanage and the Heritage children. We hope to get new pictures for the families and to pass along messages from their waiting parents.
Christmas is in Hefei too, music in English is playing everywere. Well, it is time for dinner, the girls are tired of Chinese food and will be happy to travel to Guangzhou where there is more Western food. Jeff and I are enjoying the new tastes and the ample food for about $15 for everyone.
Vicki