Hunan Kids Rock!

We've spent alot of time walking around Changsha. Walking outside seems to be Anna's favorite activity. Yesterday during our walk we were infront of an elementary school as it was letting out for the day.

We were instantly surrounded by about three dozen kids. People in Hunan, young and old, are very affectionate to young babies, touching their hands and face, and Anna seems to get even more attention because she is so fair. I think some mom's don't like it, but I love it. So they were all gently touching her hands and cheeks and giggling as they tried out their English on us. They would all very proudly say "HELLO" - and from the tiniest girl to the biggest boy would say it in this funny deep voice. They were so cute. One little boy made the Ok symbol and asked me some question in Chinese that I couldn't understand. So I made the same handsign and gave him an animated OK. All at once all the kids starting giggling, and in the same deep voice started saying OK.

Obviously Steve stands out like a sore thumb here so he was the next focus of attention. One kids noticed how big is feet were and they all started giggling and talking frantically. One of the girls actually spoke very good english and acted as an ad hoc translator, although conversation was hard admid all the giggling. Even as we walked away, some kids went out of their way to walk right behind us or next to us until they got up the courage to give us their own "Hello".

It was wonderful.