Yesterday we had a long hot day of sight seeing. We left Zengzhou at about 8am and went to Shaolin Temple, home of kung fu. The temple itself was beautiful with several "houses" with prayer stoops and large gilded Buddahs. Sun was inspired by the people praying and she wanted to pray as well, so we said two prayers in two different buildings. We said what we were thankful for then we asked for good health and good fortune and a happy, healthy family. We talked about Buddhism, she seemed interested but much of it was confusing to her, explaining enlightenment to a four year old is a difficult task.
There is an ancient pagota forest that was the highlight of the temple grounds, there were dozens of pagotas some several hundred years old and some as new as this year.
The grounds of the Temple are most famous as the home of kung fu and there were hundreds of boys, who apparently go there to study for periods from three months to three years to learn Kung Fu. The boys were walking/marching in military like groups when they were going from the practice grounds to the dormatories. Apparently the Kung Fu school is open to anyone who wants to attend and there appeared to be some foreign students at the academy. Our guides took us to a Kung Fu show, but after the tourists who paid a special feel got up on stage to pose as Kung Fu masters I decided I was too hot and the baby was too heavy to stay for the show. We went outside and waited for our group, according to Sol I didn't miss much.
By the time we got back to the hotel all the kids on the bus were screaming or crying and so were all the babies and probably some of the adults.
Today many of the families went to our various orphanages, we are going tomorrow and took today off. Sun and I went to the local museum to have a little special time. I loved the museum, Henan is the where the earliest civilizations in Asia emerged and the museum had relecs from 7000 years ago, including the oracle bones where Chinese writing developed. I wanted to take pictures but we were not suppose to, another family in our group went and they took photos so I am going to have them send the photos to me so I can use them when I teach ancient civilizations next year. Looking at the stone, bone, pottery, jade and bronz work from the civilizations as they emmerged was amazing.
Sun and the baby are starting to play well together. He loves chasing her around and she likes being big sister. He likes to throw things, pull hair and grab with razor sharp nails. He has scratched me up a bit, I did get a pair of baby clippers today and cut his nails a bit shorter, and he has gotten a hold of Sun a time or two. Today Aftan started letting Sol hold him without screaming. He still mostly wants me but it was a big step for the baby and his Baba. Sol was feeling a little left out because Aftan only wanted me which made Sun jealous and only want me. I will upload pictures later.