The Entrance. The Chen clan academy was built in the 1800s. It was a place for those in the clan to send their children - boys and girls - to school. Interestingly enough our guides family name is Chen.
Another statue inside the academy - this one of a story teller on the far right. Everyone is listening to his tale. The mother on the left has come to retreive her child dragging him away by the ear. This was made by the same artist who did the statues on the island. He is a very famous local artist and his work reminds me a bit of Norman Rockwell - he tries to capture everyday life in China with a humorous spin.
Outside the academy. It is impossible to see but the top of the building is covered in exquisite wood carvings that have been painted. They tell the stories from favorite Chinese legends.
One of the two warriors that guard the door to the academy.
Interesting sculpture at the rear of the academy.
The Chen family temple. Each step has names of ancestors that have passed on.
Workers repainting the wood carvings at the top. It is difficult to match the colors exactly and it is a bit of a lost technique. Not many people can do it.
In front of some of the wood carvings - they were amazing! The building took three years to build with 200 workers - each completing specialized tasks.
Family picture by the arches.
In front of the dragon hedge. So pretty.
This morning we slept late. Yay! We didn't have anywhere that we needed to be until later so we took it easy. In fact I went to breakfast without even getting ready. Scary indeed. I must say that I'm getting bored with our breakfast buffet. I can't help but wonder what it going on at the White Swan - knowing that their breakfast buffet is superior -and wondering if we made the right choice. However, we do like the Victory alot. The beds are soft - by Chinese standards - and the room is very large. I suppose you can't have everything. We tried skyping with the kids but it hasn't worked out very well. We just talked to them on the phone. I sure miss those kids. I can't wait to see them again. And I think they miss us too, although sometimes its hard to tell. Having grandma and grandpa around is a special treat. Haylee was kind of stinky this morning. It is funny how rather than getting easier it has gotten harder. As she feels more comfortable with us she is certain to let us know when we are not meeting her needs. But sometimes cannot figure out what it is exactly that she wants. She cried a good portion of the morning as we scrambled to figure out if she was hungry, needed a diaper change or if she was thirsty. Finally we figured out that she was tired. But it had only been two hours since she'd gotten up so it wasn't even on our list. We are learning but it is hard to figure out what a 15 month old needs. She always seems hungry and so I don't think she has learned how to regulate herself. I don't think that is surprising given her institutional background. It is a little bit of a trick since food will placate her but it doesn't help us understand the root of her problem. After a brief nap we met up with Cordelia. She took us to the Chen Clan Academy. It was a great outing. The building was everything that you would expect from Chinese architecture. It was covered in these wood carvings depicting stories from Chinese lore. The pictures do not even begin to do them justice. It was unbelievable. Inside there were a few shops selling Chinese trinkets. But the majority of it was a museum. There was an emboridery(sp.) exhibit and unfortunately we were unable to take pictures but the works were amazing. So much work and so many stitchs to produce these works of art. There were ivory carvings and bone carvings so intricate and beautiful. We really enjoyed walking around. It was a short site-seeing adventure but I'm so glad that we went. Haylee is so good to take out. In fact, every time we leave our room she claps and smiles. I think being cooped up is getting to her as well. She has been very easy for us to do things with - in fact the easiest of the group. It will certainly be interesting to see how see interacts with our crazy kids. She will probably be a bit shy at first but I think it will only be a short while before she is off running around and acting crazy with them.
In front of the dragon hedge. So pretty.This morning we slept late. Yay! We didn't have anywhere that we needed to be until later so we took it easy. In fact I went to breakfast without even getting ready. Scary indeed. I must say that I'm getting bored with our breakfast buffet. I can't help but wonder what it going on at the White Swan - knowing that their breakfast buffet is superior -and wondering if we made the right choice. However, we do like the Victory alot. The beds are soft - by Chinese standards - and the room is very large. I suppose you can't have everything. We tried skyping with the kids but it hasn't worked out very well. We just talked to them on the phone. I sure miss those kids. I can't wait to see them again. And I think they miss us too, although sometimes its hard to tell. Having grandma and grandpa around is a special treat. Haylee was kind of stinky this morning. It is funny how rather than getting easier it has gotten harder. As she feels more comfortable with us she is certain to let us know when we are not meeting her needs. But sometimes cannot figure out what it is exactly that she wants. She cried a good portion of the morning as we scrambled to figure out if she was hungry, needed a diaper change or if she was thirsty. Finally we figured out that she was tired. But it had only been two hours since she'd gotten up so it wasn't even on our list. We are learning but it is hard to figure out what a 15 month old needs. She always seems hungry and so I don't think she has learned how to regulate herself. I don't think that is surprising given her institutional background. It is a little bit of a trick since food will placate her but it doesn't help us understand the root of her problem. After a brief nap we met up with Cordelia. She took us to the Chen Clan Academy. It was a great outing. The building was everything that you would expect from Chinese architecture. It was covered in these wood carvings depicting stories from Chinese lore. The pictures do not even begin to do them justice. It was unbelievable. Inside there were a few shops selling Chinese trinkets. But the majority of it was a museum. There was an emboridery(sp.) exhibit and unfortunately we were unable to take pictures but the works were amazing. So much work and so many stitchs to produce these works of art. There were ivory carvings and bone carvings so intricate and beautiful. We really enjoyed walking around. It was a short site-seeing adventure but I'm so glad that we went. Haylee is so good to take out. In fact, every time we leave our room she claps and smiles. I think being cooped up is getting to her as well. She has been very easy for us to do things with - in fact the easiest of the group. It will certainly be interesting to see how see interacts with our crazy kids. She will probably be a bit shy at first but I think it will only be a short while before she is off running around and acting crazy with them.
Olivia and Haylee are almost the same age (mine was born Jan. 8th) and it's amazing to me that they are almost the same size! (I was reading back to the dr visit post.) I've never met a baby Olivia's age who is as teeny as she is.
ReplyDeleteAt Olivia's 12 month check up she was barely 17 pounds, but she has her 15 month this Wed so she may even weigh a little more than Haylee.
It'll be fun some day when everyone gets together again to have them play together!
And by the way- I have a hard time figuring out what Olivia needs at this age too. She never seems to know what she really wants, she just knows that she's grouchy and she wants me to do something about it! This has been one of the funnest stages, but also the most challenging because of her budding independence.
ReplyDeleteMy aunt ended up having to adopt all 4 of her children, and the two youngest where pulled out a very abusive situation. Ally who is now i think almost 11, still struggles with the food aspect. Even though Haylee was in a "safer" evironment at the orphanage, it might be a mental thing that she wants to eat all the time. She might not have been fed on a regular basis as much as you are now. I know this sounds crazy, but it has something we have noticed a lot with my cousin.
ReplyDeleteglad you seem to be having a good experience! That is totally amazing that you are able to travel all the way over there and get such a beautiful little girl!!!!