We had a very interesting time in China over Easter, visiting the capital of Guangdong province, Guangzhou (known as Canton in colonial days). It was a very busy time in the holiday period so getting there was more than half the fun. After catching a bus to Shenzhen at the border we then purchased a train ticket to Guangzhao. Tickets in hand we casually wandered over to Macca’s for a bite to eat (there’s only so much noodle soup you can eat…) and then, at 11:50 back to the station for the 12:05 train. But no… it was like trying to get home after New Years Eve in Sydney! We basically got pushed by the crowd onto the first available train about an hour later, well after our train has departed, and no seats of course. Lesson learnt… Shenzhen is not Mt KuringGai.
Guangzhou was another world. Walking along muddy backstreets, finding some hotels and negotiating a price (with much pointing and miming. Why can’t they understand English, even when I speak really loudly?) We ended up staying on Shaiman Island which is a little colonial preserve in the middle of the city. The British, when they began trading in China, were only allowed to live and have industries on the island, so it became a European haven…good for us as it is the only place of relative peace and quiet in Guangzhou.
We were surprised to find that there were a large number of western couples there, each with one or two Chinese kids. As it turns out, the US consulate is in Guangzhou and that is the last port of call for American couples who come to China to adopt kids. Some of them had to travel to quite remote parts of China to collect their child before getting documentation finalised at the consulate. It was quite moving and inspiring to hear a little of their stories and the efforts they had to go to to adopt.
The trip was an eye opener for all of us and, for the kids, their first experience of poverty on the streets. Of particular impact to them was a young boy who was selling some little framed pictures on the street. Neville thought that he’d buy one but when he offered the right cash the boy refused to trade. Meanwhile a crowd on onlookers had gathered to watch the negotiations. (Our family was quite a novelty) It took a few moments to see why he wasn’t interested – three soldiers had walked up to see was the commotion was and then ordered the boy to leave as he didn’t have a permit to sell. Our kids felt very sorry for the boy and hoped that we would be able to make enough money to eat.
