So we're sitting in the Business Lounge of our hotel in CHangsha, Hunan Province and on the computer across from us (just 2 in the room) is a lovely family from Spain and their new daughter, Sarah, who is 13 months and lovely. I've had so much fun speaking Spanish with various families in hteir group, feeling a little giddy from understanding and speaking another language after butchering CHinese so terribly - tho I think I have thank you and hello down so that they're understandable... The language sounds more like a language now, but the characters just look like art and it's difficult to imagine looking at them and knowing which direction I'm supposed to go down a road or what to order at a restaraunt. Hunan Province is known for it's spicy food (we grew up going to the House of Hunan, fond memories!), so communication is imperative. We had a lovely dinner tonight that brought tears to everyone's eyes - and I'm not sure they would have considered it at all spicy! The babies from this region are called "Spicy Girls" and it's believed that the cooking lends to their intelligence - pretty cool!

We had an early start this morning, and an uneventful 21/2 hr flight (one piece of luggage lost, but our guide is so amazing she cleared it up immediately). We are stunned at every turn by the kindness and warmth of the CHinese people, it sure made flying a lovely experience after dealing with some fairly disgruntled American-carrier staff! Our new hotel is quite fancy and even sports a small bowling alley! Becky and I indulged in a masage this afternoon, called an "Herbal Massage" but as it was clothed and no herbs were readily apparent, we can't figure out the distinction - it really didn't seem like the women who administered to us were stoned or anything.... It was $12 for 75 mins so I think we'll be returning! (This little baby has a laugh like Sawyer's, it's bringing tears of joy and longing to my eyes right now). Internet is a different price - at the smoky place in Beijing it was 4 yuan (about .50 c)for an hour, here at this hotel it's 1 yuan/minute!

It's been so fascinating hearing all these families' stories, and surprising how many couples are going in for adoption as they near retirement and their kids are heading off to college! There are plenty of new parents as well, and of course the heartbreaking stories of miscarriages and infertility. Again and again I think that becoming a parent has everything to do with love and how the baby comes to oyu is a miracle no matter how it happens.

I think this family is waiting for my computer with the web cam to show off Sara to everyone back home, so I'll sign off - with plenty to write tomorrow when Becky becomes a mom.

All my love to everyone,a dn thanks to all who wrote with news on my family who I miss more than I ever thought possible and who I love for letting me do this.