Wednesday's visit to SWI

Adam is sending emails and I am posting to the blog. I have not had a chance to talk with him today to find out if he was able to see the children whose parents I've emailed with for updated pics.

Today was a much better day for me, not so much for Schwen in the morning. We got to go to SWI and meet the kids. I have a lot of pictures and a few small videos. Anna told Schwen we were going but as we started to get near she shut down then started crying when stopped out front to get out of the taxi. She started to bounce back when we gave her the job of handing out the treats we bought. Then she came out of her shell and I got to observe her interact with her friends. She really liked handing out the treats and being in control.
The place seemed pretty clean and staff was very nice. Nanjing has cooled off a little and the kids were outside. Anna pointed out a small building for the kids that have severe disabilities and the nannies had a few of the children outside. Until you’re in China and you’ve been to an orphanage you just don’t know how good we Americans have it. These kids have nothing and wear old worn out clothes. Schwen eats a lot and fast like someone might take it from her at any time. When we were walking down the short street as we were heading into the orphanage she took off the necklace I had given her and handed it to me, it was if she knew if she had it on someone would want it. She hides things under her pillow, probably the only safe place she had.
She got say goodbye to her friends and as we were heading back she said she had a headache so we got something to eat. Now she is napping.
As a funny note, the taxi driver on the way back was a woman who would put men drivers in the states to shame, she would get within inches of cars at 40 mph weaving between semi size fuel trucks, buses and bicycles. All this while talking on her cell phone, telling Anna she had had a nose job (they increase the size in China to look more western) and blaring the horn at anyone in her way. I would love to have a chance to drive here, it’s like a Grand Prix race everyday.