Feng Cheng is about 50km south of Nanchang, but because of road quality and traffic the trip took about an hour and a half. Once we left Nanchang the road was two lane and very rough. Dividing lines (if there are any) mean very little. The goal seems to be finding the path of least resistance through the tangle of trucks, buses, cars, and bicycles. While there was some farming (seaseme flowers, ducks, pearls, vegetables) most of the trip the road was lined with two story concrete houses. We also passed piles of coal, stacks of bamboo, drying veneer panels, and gas stations.
Once in Feng Cheng, Nelson and our bus driver somehow hailed a guy on a motorcycle who instantly became our tour guide to each our Finding Places. We have no idea why he was willing to take an hour out of his day to lead a bus load of Americans around his city, but we are very greatful.
Our daughters were found in various locations. One was found in a certain room in the train station, three were found near the Social Welfare Institute (which has since moved to a new location), one at an expectent mother and baby clinic, one at a little park near a lake.
An then there was Molly. She was found near the front door to an old folks home/clinic/activity center. The building was four stories on a corner with a semi-enclosed courtyard and a hemlock tree growing in the middle. Unlike the other areas, this location seemed very private. At the other locations we were surrounded by curious on-lookers or angy shop keepers, but at Molly's Finding Place, it was just us. At one point the front desk attendent at the old folks home/clinic/activity center stepped out to see what we were doing, but quickly went back to her post. We have a picture of the three us (Molly, Cheryl, and I) standing at her Finding Place, but I don't think I want to post it here. For me the picture creates conflicting feelings: It brings deep sadness that someone would be forced to abandon this wonder and amazing little girl; it brings closure (for me) to the first part of little Molly's life and a better understanding where she started off; and it represents our Finding of Molly and the beginning of our new lives together as a family.
After that the rest of the day was uneventful. While Cheryl and Molly rested after the long bus ride, I joined Paul and Nelson for a trip to KFC. Like Wal-Mart yesterday, the KFC was familiar, but not quite right. However, like in the US, pimply faced teenagers will take your order and offer you the value meal option.
Have we told you yet how much Molly eats? Compared to the other daughters, she seems to be able to pack it away. Congee, pork, rice, fried rice, bits of egg, bottles of formula, wheat cereal, arrowroot cookies, and Cheerios (is there a child on earth that does not like Cheerios?). The problem was that for all she was putting in, nothing had come out for two days (this was one theory why she was so fussy last night). The solution was 2/3rds of a jar of prune puree with lunch. Within an hour we had some fairly healthy output that resulted in a much happier Molly (see previous post with the picture of a happy-sleeping Molly).
Dinner was at new (to us) resturant accross the street from our old standby. The noodles were much spicier and we had this fantastic eggplant dish that was probably even better when warm (I got the first round of feeding Molly who can get quite vocal if you don't keep those chopsticks humming).
The evening was topped off with an impromptu little play group in Sarah and Mark's room (a suite) with Phoebe, Anna, and Molly transfixed by the fabulous dancing Julia.
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