Today we visited the largest zoo in China called Safari Park. It was really neat and a beautiful 80 degree day for it. There is a 30 minute train ride you take through half of the park where they drive through a safari type area where some of the animals can literally come right up to the vehicles. We saw black bears, lions, tigers, giraffes, zebras, hippos, rhinos, and many more animals that I can't remember - check out the pictures.
Then we got to walk the other half of the park where we saw some baby tigers - oh so cute, kangaroos, elephants, koalas and pandas!!!! It was so neat to see real life pandas.
Tegan loved pointing at all the animals, Corban wasn't all that interested. Thankfully we had two strollers, borrowed from Emma's shop here on the island, and the boys sat in them the whole time. I was quite impressed!!!!
I was in defensive mode a few times while at the park. This was the first time I felt I needed to openly stand up for my children and their obvious "differences". The boys got many stares today, which I hate but tolerate with a stare back. the problem is when someone tries to take an obvious picture of the boys like they are something to "brag to my friends about", that's when they cross my line. While standing in line for the safari train, a young man kept staring at Tegan then whipped out his camera to take a picture. I stared right back at him, stuck out my "stop sign" hand, shook my head "no" and turned the stroller a bit to make my point. Then as we exited the panda exhibit, which was our final exhibit before leaving, we took an adoption group photo. While we were doing that a group of Chinese ladies looked the group over and obviously noticed our boys (Corban was wearing shorts so the nevus on his legs were obvious too). They then took out their cameras moving directly in front of the boys to take pictures - well the momma bear in me stepped up again - looking straight at them shaking my head and hands saying "no pictures, move along" - one of the other mothers in our group chimed in too (thanks Mary!).
How seriously rude can people be? It just irritates me. I deal with it to a point because I know curiosity is natural but don't cross that curiosity line and treat my kids like they are something to display. They are beautiful just like the rest of us who are ALL different in our own special way. God made each of us unique and some differences are just more obvious than others.
Unfortunately, I was so irritated by the end when we had to retrace our steps back through the park to leave that I think I told someone who whipped out their camera as we passed by to "not take pictures" (I'm not even sure they whipped out their camera for the reason I thought they did). Please forgive me Lord and whomever I snipped at for my quick temper in that instance. I just wasn't having anymore of it. I have never had to deal with people feeling like they could take pics of them before and for it to have happened twice today really got under my skin.
I am glad that we are in the final stretch of this trip, after 2 weeks, I am ready for home and "normalcy."
Adoption is a faith journey, which consists of many heartbreaks, bountiful blessings, and so much joy!!!!
Oh Tracy sooooo hard! Seriously distressing. We found the culture there of "staring" at things that are different--disturbing--but this is above and beyond. I'm so sorry. I don't blame you--and I'm sure God forgives your Mother Bear defensive actions.
ReplyDeleteHang in there--you are such a blessing and thank God--God found them YOU! :)
Hey Tracy, I totally understand, just returned a few weeks ago with my daughter. I found that staring and pointing back at the rude people kind of confused them...I would act like my mother and I were pointing and staring at them just like they were doing to my daughter. ANd I would also glare and point at them with all the evil in my eyes that I could conjure up..I think I scared teh bejessus out of several children while in CHina dna frankly I don't care - they need to learn not to be rude. THe worst were the old ladies over there - they were plain obnoxious! Can't wait til you are back home with your too little handsome men...i think they just look precious and huggable and kissable!
ReplyDeleteI know how comments and stares can break your heart. I clearly remember while strolling down the street on Shamian Island a lady telling me how beautiful my oldest child was and then staring at my youngest child and asking what was wrong with her face. NOTHING is wrong with her face!! I'm not sure if she understood my English, but she definitely understood my meaning as I raised my voice and stormed off. The comments and questions won't end when you leave China...
ReplyDeleteAs your children get older and understand the comments, it is even worse. I have a couple of books on birthmarks that I have read to my daughter to help her handle comments and questions. I wish there were more resources. My daughter sobbed the other night because she doesn't like her birthmark and wants it to go away. It broke my heart. I love her birthmark. It's part of her and I love every part of her. I know you love every part of your boys too! Keep loving them:) You will help them to be strong and able to withstand the rude comments and remarks.