It Takes a Village to Raise a Child

Welcome to the village of Caicun!  The village that welcomed and adopted my family seven years ago.  The first white people to live here.  Now I am back, on a sort of pilgrimage – bringing Ben and our little son.

On the bus
On the bus

On the village paths

One of the many alleys through Caicun

DSC_2499I just like the artistic-ness of this one (above)!

Breakfast like the locals
Breakfast like the locals

When we moved here in 2006, us kids liked to explore the alleyways through the village.  With the mountain ridge to the west, we could always find the “main road” and go south until it came out at the bus lot.  From there we could find our house.  One story I remember from about our second day here is walking through the village, not at all lost, when a local lady came through the alley and started dramatic gestures in the opposite direction we were going.  She did not speak a word of English and our Mandarin was not very good yet.  But we could tell from her actions that she thought we were lost and she was pointing out the way for us to get home.  We humored her and started down that path, and sure enough, came out on the back side of our house – a shortcut home!  How did she know where we lived?  Apparently news traveled fast about those foreigners with 8 kids who came to be their neighbors!

Family Timeice-cream girls sisters

creative mirror photography

Fun family picture… can you find Ole? 😉

chinese food

Not quite as good a quality since it’s from my phone, but it was too cute to not put up!  Oldest and youngest of the Nelson family – Naomi & Hope (4yrs old).

Facing due west, Er Hai lake in the background
Facing due west, Er Hai lake in the background
Grandma time (she doesn't look old enough to be a Grandma!)
Grandma time (she doesn’t look old enough to be a Grandma!)
More Grandma time!
More Grandma time!

Chinese food restaurant lazy susan

Lots of local food!  No need to pass dishes – see the cool lazy susan (spinny thingy)?  And if you still can’t reach, just utilize those nice long chopsticks and reeeeeach!  It’s not impolite!

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child

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More family time with “Uncle” Ed!  All the kids I knew overseas while growing up knew Uncle Ed.  Blood relative to none of us, and uncle to ALL of us.  He was legendary.  Uncle Ed was the most generous man we knew.  One time he gave three families tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland.  Nearly every time he came to visit he would take us out to dinner or dessert.  Most often, dinner AND dessert.  He read us stories doing all the voices, and always had time for kids.  He was like Santa Claus, only better because he was real!  In our world away from most biological relatives, he tied the expat families together and made us a great big family with the same uncle.  So of course, Ole had to meet Uncle Ed!

village ladies

Lots of thumbs up and advice from the villagers.  They all love seeing the baby!  Especially a white baby with BLUE eyes and NO hair!

In Chinese culture, often three generations live together and the grandparents practically raise the grandchild while the parents work.  A son is especially important because he will carry on the family name.  200-300 neighbors and friends are invited to the naming celebration.  After all, they have been bringing the mother special gifts of high-protein foods like eggs and live chickens (both expensive) and taking care of her and the baby for the first 30 days postpartum.  As the child gets older they play on the streets and roam freely with ‘everyone’ just sort of keeping tabs on them.  This family/community centered lifestyle really exemplifies the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.”

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Ole with our Chinese grandmother… now a “great-grandma” I suppose!  She’s very proud.

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  1. Betsy

    Two questions: 1. So who was uncle Ed really? and 2. Is your Mandarin rusty?

  2. felicia

    Hi Naomi!

    This is Felicia Thong from the Logos Hope! I stumbled upon your blog and I really do enjoy reading all the wonderful things about you, Ben and now 2 babies too! Thank YOU for sharing your life stories and yes, paying forward to many young married couples that faces many real challenges eg: pregnancy, finances etc Love to hear from you soon!

    Blessings,
    Felicia

    1. naomi

      Hi Felicia! Thanks for reading! It’s wonderful to hear from you!!! Where are you in the world these days?
      ~Naomi