Day 5: Exploring Hohhot

10/31/12: This morning we ventured out to walk the streets of Hohhot! We found lots of neat little shops. And found many little alleys with street vendors. It was fun to watch them making buns and other food items. We were not brave enough to try any. Not because of taste but upsetting our digestive systems if things were not prepared right. But, boy did some of it smell good!! Samuel decided today he would say "Ni Hao" to everyone! He was usually greeted back with a smile! We came back to the hotel for quick naps for the boys then headed out with our guide to see the place where Levi was abandoned. Really I should say found. His finding spot. It was a bus stop. No shelter. Just a sign where you wait. He had no blanket. He just laid there. My heart breaks wondering how long it took for someone to call the police to come to his aid. Just down a ways was an entrance to a village. We wonder if that is where his biological parents lived or had they walked a ways to leave him in a spot further from their home so they would not be suspected? I do not know who called the police. There is no record of that, but I am forever grateful to that person for saving Levi. Next we went to the Zhao Temple. We did not choose to go to the temple. It was prearranged. But, we are glad we did. As our guide was explains all the Buddhism beliefs she asked what we believe about reincarnation. Mark explained Biblically what we believe and what you need to do to be saved. A seed was planted. We figured she asked so it was safe to share. We ended our day eating a Mongolian Hot Pot. What a fun experience. You sit at a round table with a big kettle in the center. They come and cook the food in this big, hot kettle. You then pull out the food with your chopsticks and dip it in a peanut sauce. In our pot we had beef, lamb, cabbage, beets, sweet potatoes, potatoes, winter melon, noodles, sweet garlic, and spinach. You could choose what you wanted. We also had a bread type pastry on the side. It was very good and neat to experience a traditional Mongolian meal.

This is how Levi sleeps. He pulls up his top to his chin. Look how skinny he is. I am happy to say he is already getting a belly on him!

Bus stop where Levi was abandoned. There is no shelter. He was left on the side walk our guide said. No blanket or anything. My heart breaks knowing this.

My heart now rejoices because Levi is FOUND!!

This is the Village by Levi's finding spot. It no longer exists but there is a good chance Levi was from this village.

Da Zhao Temple

The Mongolian Hot Pot