Last summer I had an awesome experience that I will never forget. It wasn’t just any other trip, I went to China! Our purpose in going was not like most vacations. I went with my parents to pick up my newly adopted sister. I am the oldest child and have three younger brothers. I had been waiting for a sister for a long time. I had the privilege to go and experience a part of the world where most teenagers, and even adults, don’t have the opportunity to explore.
We arrived in Beijing first after a 12 hour flight from San Francisco. When we got off the plane we stopped to use the restroom. To my astonishment, when I opened the door, all I saw was a hole in the floor. It was a squatter. That was a very interesting experience and that’s all I will mention of it. While staying in Beijing we saw many overwhelming sights. One of the places we visited what is known as “The Forbidden Palace”. This is where the emperor resided. While we walked through this palace it was so amazing to see the intricate work on the roofs of the buildings. There were fierce dragons and beasts that were painted with bright red, yellow and green colors. It was amazing to see the detail they put into each one. The whole palace occupies 170 acres. It is huge! I thought it would never end. That’s one thing I learned about China, everything is big-except for the people- and very intricate.
Another great monument that we had the privilege of seeing was The Great Wall of China. It was so amazing! It is over 4,000 miles long and 25 feet high. I have never seen anything so big and long, although, it was very startling. I always imagined that it was a wall but flat on the top to walk on. Boy was I ever wrong! The whole wall is steps. Some are a foot tall and some are only a few inches tall. This made it very hard to get up and required a lot of concentration. On the way up, I counted over 1,200 steps! My parents and I hiked up as far as they would let us due to the lightning.
Next we visited Nanning city, the province where we got my sister. We stayed for a week and it was the hardest week of the whole trip. My sister warmed up to us fast but she missed her foster family very much. She was 6 years old and wanted to be adopted but she had a hard time adjusting. Here in Nanning, we had the privilege to look at the Chinese culture closer. We went what they say is a park but is very different than a park that you’d find in the U.S. This park was all around a small lake and there were tables lining the shore on little brick sidewalks. People would play music, dance, play cards, or just hang out. There were tons of people and it was a really cool place to be. I think that it is a big gathering place for everyone because nobody has a house. Everyone lives in apartments because there are so many people living in China. The apartments looked like huge skyscrapers, just with laundry hanging on the balcony. So I imagine that people don’t like to hang around their apartments much if there is limited space. I became really grateful that we have so much room in America that we can have our own houses with backyards and a garage to keep our cars so that we don’t have to ride the bus or subway everywhere we go.
Next we went to Guangzhou where all the other adoptive families met. There were approximately 100 adoptive families in our hotel. That was really cool to see all of the kids being adopted. While we were there, all the children being adopted had to have a check up with a doctor to make sure they would be able to come home with us and it was also a part to finalize the adoption. It was very interesting to see the difference between the hospitals in the U.S. and the hospitals in China. China is strict on some things and not so much with others. When we flew into Beijing from San Francisco, we had to wait on the plane before getting off so that some nurses could check our temperature. If your temperature was too high then they quarantined you for a week. This was during the time when the swine flu was out and I think that had a lot to do with the strictness. After having this experience, I was surprised to find that the hospital wasn’t very strict or organized. It was kind of chaos and they weren’t very sterile when doing procedures. It made me really grateful for the awesome health care that we have in America and I want to be a part of it someday by becoming a Medical Technologist.
After a week in Guangzhou, the adoption was finalized. We were ready to be home but decided to make one more stop in Hong Kong. This last stop was scary because Hong Kong is almost like another country and so our guide couldn’t come with us. We were on our own. Our purpose in going to Hong Kong was to visit the LDS Temple. This was my favorite visit of the whole trip. It was a very humbling and powerful experience going into the temple. Although it was difficult getting there, it was very worth it.
After bringing my sister into a new country and totally different home, we try to keep her native culture in her life so she won’t forget. I’m very grateful that I was able to take this trip and gain the experience of learning about a new culture. I learned so much about their culture, I learned more about myself, and I learned to appreciate everything that I have, even small things such as having a backyard and a car to drive instead of riding a subway everywhere. I loved going to China and I am so glad I had the opportunity to do so. The only bad thing was that I had to empty my college savings so that I could go on this amazing trip. A scholarship would be great to help pay for college.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “Adoption from China”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
This enthusiastic blog provides a huge list of 51 varied and exciting summer vacation ideas for families, offering options from theme parks to national parks both near and far.
Absolutely love the insights you’ve shared in this blog!
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative.
I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future.
A lot of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Lovely just what I was looking for.Thanks to the author for taking his clock time on this one.
wow
Great read! I really appreciated the insights you shared—especially the way you broke things down in a clear and relatable way. Looking forward to more content like this. Keep up the great work!
Traveling to Aruba promises an unforgettable escape. From white-sand beaches to clear turquoise waters, this Caribbean gem invites you to create memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t forget your sunscreen and sense of adventure!
Thanks very nice blog!
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up plus the rest of the site is very good.
This article was very informative thank you!
For the people that are planning to go to Aruba, I would also suggest this website: https://canitravel.net/countries/aruba . I used it last month when I went to Aruba and it always had up-to-date travel restrictions. I hope this helps 🙂
Nice post!
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.
I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks
for the post. I will definitely comeback.
This is such helpful information! Traveling with minors can get complicated, and having all the required documents ready makes the process so much smoother. Thanks for breaking it down so clearly!
Great blog! I really enjoyed reading it. The way you explained everything in such simple and clear words made it easy to follow. Sometimes blogs can get too technical or confusing, but this one was straight to the point and very helpful.
I got good info from your blog
Keep working ,great job!
I haven’t checked in here for a while as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
I had the chance to experience Denmark during the Christmas season, and it’s something I’ll always hold close to my heart. Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen felt like stepping into a storybook. The way the entire park was dressed in soft, glowing lights, handmade decorations, and the comforting scent of mulled wine in the air made every moment feel special.
There’s a unique warmth about this place that isn’t just from the cocoa or winter drinks, but from the people, the laughter, and the little traditions scattered around every corner. Watching families gather, children’s faces light up at the sight of the reindeer, and the simple joy of wandering through beautifully decorated stalls reminded me how lovely the holiday season can be.
It’s not just about the decorations or the rides — it’s the feeling of togetherness, the calm, and the way time seems to slow down so you can really take in the small, meaningful moments. I left with a heart full of good memories and a deep appreciation for the charm and kindness of Danish traditions.
If you ever get the chance to visit, I promise it’s a place that will stay with you long after you’ve left.
The article is full of information , thanks for such a good knowledge.
This article is incredibly informative and well-structured. It offers clear, practical guidance on a topic many travelers often overlook—traveling with minors. The detailed breakdown of required documents and the emphasis on consent letters provide much-needed clarity for parents and guardians planning a trip. A must-read for anyone traveling with children!
Great article! I completely agree with your points.
Keep up the good work
Excellent post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this topic?
I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
Thanks!
Hi, yes this post is genuinely nice and I have learned lot of things from it concerning blogging. thanks.
Excellent post! I found your analysis both engaging and informative. Well done.
I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thanks, I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your web site?
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for!
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. So good to search out anyone with some unique thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this website is one thing that’s needed on the internet, someone with a bit originality. helpful job for bringing one thing new to the internet!
Thank you for such praise, I am glad I could present the material in a way that made you want to see and experience St. Augustine’s Black history for yourself.
Of course, this beach town has lots more to offer but if you are willing to walk the lanes and dig a little bit, the history of the first Blacks and how much they contributed to protecting the colony is fascinating.
Hope you get there and enjoy your trip.
Your trip sounds absolutely incredible! Lisbon is truly a magical city, and your experience during the EuroCup must have made it even more special. If anyone reading this is planning a trip to Lisbon, I highly recommend taking a free walking tour to explore the city’s rich history, charming streets, and hidden gems with a local guide. You can check out this great option: https://www.guruwalk.com/lisbon. It’s a fantastic way to get an insider’s perspective on the city!
It’s iin reality a great and helpful piece oof info.
I’m satisfied that you shared this helpful information with us.
Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing
Great content for cruise lovers !! One of the most advantage of cruising is you do not have to pick your luggages every day , and every day you discover a new country. Although one day is not enough to see everything it gives an idea about a country ! With my experience since 2007, 99,9% of my guest said that Kusadasi/Turkey is their favorite port among all the other ports. Because we have a lot of options for every traveler. The most popular places , if your ship is docking at Kusadasi, is Ephesus ancient city which is only 25 min. drive away. Ephesus was the 4th largest ancient city of the world in 2 c AD.Most of the ruins are reconstructed and gives an idea about Roman’ glorious times. If you ever visit Ephesus, I suggest you to see Terrace Houses , where the rich were living and houses are decorated with beautiful mosaics and frescoes from 3rd c AD.If you want to add a spiritual break , thats House of Virgin Mary is there. It is believed that she was taken by St. John the apostle to there.Another place you must see Ephesus Museum.. Forget all that boring museums you have seen . While guiding , I explain the most interesting artifacts , including original staue of Artemis. BTW. did you know that one of seven wonders of ancient world was located there? Well… not so much left , but it is still worth to be seen. If you ever visit Kusadasi,and want to have private tour, please feel free to contact with me ! I am very happy to answer your questions and customize your trip to Ephesus. Please visit my website,not only for Ephesus trip but also to get an idea about my beloved country Turkey/Turkiye. You can see different types of tours that I organize. Archaeological , culinary or lets customize your tour to Turkey together!! luxurytoursofturkey.com/