We’ve had such good fortune on this trip, almost daily meeting new people who make our experience richer.  Last night Art’s colleague Qingsi (all around great guy; he has also spent a lot of time in the US and even taught for a bit at Fresno State of all places…) took us out to one of those fabulous dinners that make me fall even more in love with China.  More steamed pumpkin (this time it was cold: delish!), tofu soup, and great big beefy mushrooms in a tangy, barbecue-like sauce.

Earlier in the day one of the BISS teachers met the four of us and drove us to the outskirts of Beijing to visit a foster home for fragile and special needs infants.  Kirsty is a wise and warm spirited women who’s been living in Beijing for 15 years.  She has a teenage Chinese adopted daughter… and a heart of gold.  So interesting to hear her talk about the Beijing of the last 15 years…

The facility is home to about 20 babies… all beautiful, all in need of tender care… some more fragile than others.  The ayis (aunties) who work there are amazing: full of love and grace and a quiet sense of calm that makes everything peaceful.  I could see how much these particular little babies are loved, cherished.  The building, which sits inside of a dusty quiet village out of another era, is modern, well-equipped, spotless.

One little darling we held was especially sweet.  Cece and I called her Suzie Q.  As with everyone else who holds her, we wish she could join our family…

I’ll limit the details and photos of this foster home (privacy reasons) but let me know if you’d like more information, and I’ll send you the US website of the organization that runs it…

Village near the foster home...

At the entrance to the foster home. It sits in a still and quiet village where most of the homes do not have plumbing. Elle is toting a bag of baby bottles. Everything helps but what they most need is money for surgeries...

Sweet babies...

Art playing with his new buddy...

Cece and beautiful Suzie Q...

One of the many loving ayis...

Doors in an alley near the foster home...

After our visit we drove over to Mrs. Shanen's for lunch. Think: hip, organic cafe with a mouth-watering menu, organic milkshakes, arugula and bags of bagels and pita chips to go. First bagels we've seen in 5 weeks...