Ahhhh, today! Today the smog lifted so much and the temperature was just perfect. We loaded up for the park. Now this is Taiyuan's version of New York's Central Park - very nice, spacious, varied activities and utilized (but not crowded). We explored and watched an opera, some forms of exercise and martial arts, and almost immediately noted those "water balls" that you climb in to attempt walking on water.

We had already picked up a man who followed us closely and quietly as we decided on which direction was the most appealing to take. Rui said comments were both about Mary and Julia (She looks like a Chinese baby!!) from people. Oh this place was just refreshing and lovely - just what we needed.

I love my husband. His sense of adventure and ability to laugh at himself in the process of exploring things is part of what captivated my heart. I remember in our birthing class for Mary we were asked to name one thing characteristic of our spouse that we would like to see incorporated in our child. I named two, actually - his eyes (BINGO) and his childlike sense of adventure and discovery. Too often as adults we take ourselves so seriously and forget to stop, explore, and laugh.

But I digress (laughing). Nobody was in these balls but we proceeded over there and Marty and Rui began cajoling and teasing each other about who would attempt this. I do good to walk upright on land, much less water (coordination is not my strong suite) and Mary Romer has those titanium rods in her back. We head to the dock and Rui begins the questioning of just how this whole process works. It is decided that both Marty and Rui are up to the task.

They bring out a vinyl structure, unzip, and Marty steps in as they begin inflating the valve with large tubing. He is zipped in and soon finds himself encased in the sphere. Now Julia is watching her Baba from the Ergo carrier with interest. Marty walks from the dock/pier and into the water, begins a second step just as the worker gives the sphere a shove and for just a moment looks like a hamster on an exercise wheel then crashes forward inside the ball. There is a splash and Julia reacts immediately. She cries in protest. I hear Marty's characteristic howl of laughter from inside the sphere as he repeatedly attempts standing and walking and his fate continues to be the same. Julia is shrieking now and her arm is outstretched in his direction. I have no pictures of the process because I was assuring Julia that her dad wasn't being hurt - but fortunately Mary Romer did. The crowd would gasp and laugh and clap as both Marty and now Rui practiced their skills.

One boy from the shop climbed in a third ball and scampered across the water - making it look easy. Those falls looked pretty hard and I was wondering how long they could keep it up. Rui finally signaled she was through and came out, and then finally Marty. When they unzipped the sphere, steam rose out through the opening. They were tired, happy, and yet wishing they could have perfected their technique.

We continue our journey to the boats. Now Mary is aching for a boat ride ever since her dragon boat excursion with Mary Romer...

The boat won't hold us all so Julia and I stay back while a duck boat heads round the lake with the rest of the crew. Julia is fine until I guess I become nervous with that one man who has followed closely for about 30-45 minutes and suddenly I am very alone in this place with no yuan and no Chinese interpreter. Julia senses my nervousness I guess as he gets closer, just intently looking and not smiling but not menacing - just VERY intense. My personal space is invaded. I pull out the Cheerios and she grabs by the handsful and immediately chokes. I save some out and she sees the bowl go in the backpack, ever watchful with anything food-related. She has an immediate visceral reaction to the situation. I shift her position and she realizes the finality of it and we are now in meltdown. She screams and arches her back as the crowd gathers round. I watch the Cheerios in her mouth and each hand and just hang on for dear life and trying to let her vent and grieve and such. She stops mid-tantrum then lashes directly at me. I'm pommeled with her fists of Cheerios and shocked when one Cheerio-filled hand approaches my face and I feel a definite pinch. I don't allow her to continue hitting me but at that moment she sighs. I hold her close on my shoulder as she whimpers, becoming low murmurs in my ears. We're both tired and the crowd dissipates. I shift her to the rocking position across my chest so she can see my face. I kiss her face and sing softly a song that I've sung to each daughter that has a low, almost haunting quality and seems to soothe. She gazes in my face and touches my offended cheek. Then sleep envelopes her body and we are at peace once more. I stay on my perch, still rocking and singing and just enjoying the gorgeous day and weather. My family returns laughing and chanting from across the water "Carole, Carole, Carole!" and are waving excitedly. I raise my fingers as best I can with this sleeping child and have to settle on a leg wave for them. As they approach me they are asking about Julia's tantrum. Did you hear it? No, but the owner of the boats told us about it while we were approaching. Tattletale! Haha! Poor Marty paddled the boat the whole way so he's not exactly rested from the water ball episode, either.

Our next stop is with some musicians with guitars. Rui asks the guy to play something and he starts with almost classical sounding music that becomes a fantastic song sung in perfect English. We clap our appreciation and he offers the guitar to Marty, who first defers, then accepts and start a blues-type rhythm. Another guitar is picked up by our musician who then begins picking out a great accompaniment. They're jammin' pretty good there!

We continue strolling through more grounds and just having the best time. Mary discovers a slide where you climb up in an elephant through the back and the slide itself is his trunk. He is fast and she flies down and ends on the ground quickly. She is surprised and happy. I watch another boy with similar results holding his backside. Although not crying, I see his father come and brush off the hurt and as they walk away I realize he's in split pants - friction burn directly on his bottom!

We all ride a carousel and the rest of the group a ferris wheel while Julia and I watch - I was willing to ride this as it is enclosed cages but the papers say Julia is afraid of heights and we didn't want to traumatize her. We visit the aviary...

... and head back to the van where Cui has been waiting all along for these four hours - I felt guilty. We head back to the hotel and get more of Julia's paperwork.

Seeing her birth certificate gave just a slight pang - knowing the age was estimated and her birthplace and parents are unknown. But I stop myself immediately - WE don't know, but as God's child she has always been known and loved.

We rest (I didn't say sleep) in the afternoon and then sweet Rui returns later to lead us to a restaurant for some local fare...

I've heard of some famous Shanxi noodles that I can only describe to her and she immediately recognizes them and agrees to take us. We stroll to the place and head upstairs to a cheerful place overlooking the street with wide windows. They have a single fork on the premises and one menu with English. Rui orders for our table.

Then the food begins arriving. Now Marty and I are not very adventurous when it comes to new dishes and we thought - we'll stick with noodles. Oh but we were sooooooo wrong. Iron beef arrives simmering in a bed of onions. It is delectable and so tender I think Miss Julia could handle it. Then corn that has just a touch of carrots and raisins. Oh my goodness. There is an egg custard that Julia about devoured - it was like the fluffiest omelette or almost quiche. Then the noodles! Oh goodness - they arrived steamed in baskets. I found it is called You Mian Kao Lao and look like a honeycomb, each tube individually constructed and rolled. The sauces are pork, lamb, tomato, eggplant and one other I cannot remember. We are in heaven. There is shredded potato and veggies and just loads of food. We eat and eat more - so much food.

The bill arrives and I'm almost ashamed to say what it costs. We've spent more at KFC easily. A nice walk back to the hotel and we're suddenly bushed.

I put Miss Julia down and she is about asleep and then wakes. I stay with her and she suddenly is shaking a sock at me. I head to her and she laughs and holds it in her teeth. She's finally teasing with ME!! She giggles and we play and I get her back up.

In the "party room" next door I set her down on the floor and once barefooted she takes off. This little scamp that we've seen take only a few halting steps at a time is a sure-footed little spitfire. She stands under Mary Romer's glass top desk and Mary rearranges the items above. Julia is determined to reach up through the glass and touch and the game is on. She just delights us as we are in this "getting to know you" phase.

We finally head to bed and collapse once more. Our last night in Taiyuan. I'm ready to be home yet really sad to be leaving both Rui and Cui who have just endeared themselves to us all. Cui does not speak English but he conveys much in his quiet character and gentle nature. And Rui? I cannot tell you enough of her. She ended up holding and feeding Julia most of the dinner. She has shared so much more of this people, culture and heritage as well as tips and pointers and just feels so much like family. I don't think it's just the adoption hormones at work here - she is one special individual.

Goodnight from Taiyuan. I'm told that we will not have very good computer access in Guangzhou so we may be more sporadic from here out. I'll try to get pictures uploaded for up until now (thank you again Amanda) and know that we continue to appreciate your prayers sustaining us throughout this journey.

Carole