April 1998

Statistics: The traveling group: 27 adoptive parents, 3 siblings, 2 relatives and 2 friends. From Ontario and Saskatchewan: 7 NSN families and 9 SN families (2 families adopting from China for a second time) Holding the fort during our absence: 2 husbands and 12 siblings. 

Highlights: Great food: pineapple pieces coated in batter and dipped in caramel sauce served hot, lemon chicken and sweet and sour chicken - no fighting over who gets to eat the leftover - sauce, veggie dishes galore, croissants at the French Bakery and don’t forget your Dunkin’ Donut. 

Great Gifts: chops made with your name in English and Chinese (don’t forget the red ink), Chinese lullaby and children’s cassettes, Beanie Babies (great bargains!),  pearls made into necklaces and bracelets while you wait. 

Great Company: Yulin, her daughter Yang, Yulin’s brother and sister and caring babysitters while you climb the Great Wall, and Bob holding the fort back at home. 

Great Sights: The Great Wall, Lama Temple, Hangzhou’s West Lake, The Free Market, and the greatest of all - the provincial government office where we met our babies.