Holiday Weekend

This past weekend was the Qingming Festival. This is somewhat similar to Memorial Day in the States. In ancient times and still a little today, they use the holiday to sweep their ancestors graves. Now, most people use it to travel. We didn't do any traveling, instead we stayed in Beijing. Robin, whose home we stay in, took us to Huanghuacheng, a portion of the Great Wall that is partially reconstructed and partially completely wild. There weren't any people around for most of the time which is SO different from the last time I went to the Great Wall. I went to the most touristy section in all of Beijing. Half way through (probably not even) it started to rain so after waiting 10 minutes or so in a guard tower, we decided it would be best if we got off the wall. The stone is pretty slippery and we didn't want to risk it. I was disappointed because I really want to spend a lot of time on the wild portion of the wall. Instead I spent 5 minutes on it while Robin and Kendra waited for me below in the valley. It. Was. So. Cool! I want to go back really badly! Someday, I'll bring my Dad. He'd love it.

That arch is going to crumble at any minute. Sort of scary.

Purely wild wall.

 After hiking on the wall, we went to a little restaurant in the nearby village. Robin ordered us some fish and they caught it, filleted it, and grilled it right in front of us. It doesn't get much fresher unless you are eating sushi. He also ordered something that is literally translated at prickly ash. They dipped the leaves in some batter and fried it. It was good except the thorn I found with the leaves. Bleh. We also had eggplant which is my favorite, egg and tomatoe, and some pork dish. Chinese food is sooo good. I NEED to know how to cook it.

On Saturday, we went with a large group of foreigners and Chinese to the Beijing Zoo. Chinese zoos are not as bearable as American zoos. The habitats are less homelike for the animals. However, the Panda's were in a really nice enclosure. Most of them were sleeping, but the last one was eating bamboo like it was going to disappear at any second. He was cute and Chinese.

I also met someone who knows one of my Chinese friends in Nanjing. That is not really something that happens very often in a country with over a billion people. I could go on forever about how crazy it is, but I'll spare you.

At Roundabout, Kendra and I are both getting more responsibilities, daily jobs, etc. It's going so well. I enjoy every day at Roundabout and being with the people, both staff and volunteers. Everyday is fulfilling and worthwhile.

We have a Chinese friend at Roundabout named Julianna. She is 27, pregnant, and alone. In the US, this is sad, but she would have a lot of options. In China, it's different. In order to have a baby "legally" you must have a certificate with you at the hospital. In order to get this certificate, you need to be married. If you don't have this certificate, your baby doesn't get the equivalent of our social security number. They also can't go to school at any public or private schools in China except the migrant schools which are not funded by the government and are always in very poor condition without enough text books and other needed school supplies. This is the situation Julianna is in. The father said he loves the baby, but not her and will not marry her. That's all easy for him because he isn't required to take care of the baby by law. Julianna didn't tell her parent's that she is pregnant because they would be very angry and might disown her. I worry about her more every day, but after yesterday, I can't get her off my mind.

Yesterday was Julianna's birthday. She invited Kendra and me to her home for hot pot (one of the best types of Chinese food ever). She rents one room from a landlord along a strip of old buildings. The next room over houses a family and their 3 kids. There is no kitchen, there is no bathroom or shower. She has to walk a few minutes to the public bath house. She hangs her clothes on a string she strung across one corner of the room. The couch and the bed are crammed on one side of the room.  Outside there is a water spigot and by her door is a table where she cooks her meals. She has a small propane tank that is connected to a single portable gas stove top. That is the extent of Julianna's home. I kept thinking of ways I could hide some money for her to find later when she most needed it. I worry about the baby and what his/her life will be like. Will they have enough to get by? What happens to the baby while Julianna works? So many questions. Luckily she is working at Roundabout where more than one person is worrying about her a great deal. It's not often that I ask publicly for people to pray for someone or something but in this case, if you read this, pray for Julianna. Pray that her parents' hearts are softened and that her situation becomes better. Pray that she has strength and that the baby is healthy. Julianna is so cute and positive. Her English isn't very good so she speaks half English half sound effects. It's so funny! She seems happy, but who knows what is going on under the surface. Keep her in your thoughts.