Friday, April 17, 2009

Where in the world is Lauren?



I thought I would post a map to show where in China Guizhou is. My new friend Holly who lives in Kaili, Guizhou wrote me a much appreciated, lengthy email, telling me all about Guizhou. She said the area that Lauren is in is very remote and mountainous, so remote that she recommended Dramamine if we were to go on the roads to her orphanage. Which by the way, CHI has said it is unlikely we will visit her orphanage. What will most likely happen (my assumption, not words from CHI) is she will be brought to us at a hotel in a major city near by. The nearest major city to Zhenfeng is hours and hours of driving per Holly. Wow, My Lauren is in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by lush, tropical beauty.

Holly also said the area Lauren is in has not been hit by any of the recent earthquakes, but has experienced a major snow storm last winter.

Another cute note Holly added was Yu (in Lauren's Chinese name) often means "fish" in Chinese and that many Chinese call their children "little fish". The symbol of a little fish is meant to be a symbol of good luck in China.

Well, I'm off to plan and do as much as I can in preparation for leaving. Yes, I've just pulled out my suitcases and am packing travel items I bought today at Target such as travel Tide, etc. :) I also bought her a swimsuit for fun at the hotel pool and a little sundress I am thinking she may wear the day we go to court and she becomes legally ours. :)

Oh, and Ann wrote from Red Thread China..Lauren received her care package!

6 comments:

Mommy Spice said...

This is all so exciting!! We actually got to go to Spicy Girl's orphanage...but out of 4 orphanages represented in our group, only two groups got to visit their orphanages. I hope you get to go. It was very emotional, but I'm so glad we saw where our daughter spent her first 10 months.

S.Wise said...

I second Mommy Spice! This IS so exciting! I too hope that you get to go to her orphanage... I can only imagine how hard it would be to get to her orphanage....and what a drive!! She will be one tired little peanut when she arrives in your arms!

I love the meaning behind "Yu" in Lauren's Chinese name. ... you are starting to find out some pretty cool information!

Good luck with the packing! That is one thing that has me a little overwhelmed just thinking about it!!! Here's my two cents... have you ever used a boil coil? You can by them at REI. They are awesome in hotels where you want to boil your water in a cup or small container!! :) I used one in Asia and was hooked!!

LucisMomma said...

She's gorgeous!

You will meet your bloved in Guiyang, where all the kids are brought. We met our Luci in our hotel's restaurant. We stayed in the Howard Johnson (a luxury hotel, not like HoJo's in the USA).

Excited for you!

susan, mom to Luci, now 3. Adopted in Aug 2005.

Terri said...

You are packing! Her orphanage area sounds gorgeous - SO different from AZ. Terri

Kayce said...

I am so happy that travel is coming soon!! I love all that you are finding on little fish Lauren! So cool!!

redmaryjanes said...

Mardi,

We are going to start a project to sponsor some of the Amazima children.
And I would love to meet you in Uganda.