Sunday, August 31 in Beijing

Good morning from Beijing.

We have survived our first day and it was a very busy one. We began the morning with breakfast. Very good buffet. They boys were very impressed.

Our next stop was Tiananmen Square. It's the largest square in the world. Very much a political area. Our guide, Sherry, who is a delight, was quick to point out that we are not to take pictures of the soldiers and don't ask any questions about the past uprising of the students. She said we would be trouble makers and off the bus:) The most interesting thing is how we are on display. The people just stop and stare at us and take our pictures. The vendors also start after you right away. Sherry taught us how to say no thank you in Chinese (Bu Yee) but they keep after you. Slightly intimidating. Our group had a picture made in front of Chairman Mao Zedong's picture on Tiananmen Square.

Forbidden City was next on the list. It was built at the command of the third Ming emperor between 1406-1420. It served as the Imeperial Palace for the next 490 years, spanning two dynasties and 24 emperors. In 1925 it was opened to the public as the Palace Museum. It's estimated that 9,000 people lived within the palace walls, including the emperor, his family and the imperial concubines, servants, guards, eunuchs and civil servants. It proved to be quite the history lesson.

Lunch at a traditional Chinese restaurant was next. We were seated at a table with other families (10 of us) and the food was served on a lazy susan and we shared it all using our chopsticks. Yes, I know I'm a germ freak, but it didn't bother me too much. Lunch was good. I'm not sure what some of it was. Nothing to out of the ordinary though.

We went to the Summer Palace next. It was an imperial palace built during the first year of Emperor Zhenyuan of the Jin Dynasty. It includes the Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake (a man made lake). It was beautiful. It has different areas that are representative of different parts of China. One area represented the area that Emma is from and it was beautiful. Weeping willow trees, a wonderful breeze. Sherry described the girls from that area as willows - skinny and swaying in the breeze. I guess we will see when we meet our little willow tree.

We went to the Government run pearl market and found out a lot of history regarding pearls and how they are harvested, etc. They have trained the staff, all young ladies, to be very good salespeople. One girl follows you around the store and shows you the jewelry. They are very well trained! I bought Emma a necklace and earrings for when she marries someday. I also bought a few other things there.

The Silk Museum was next. We were given a lesson on the silk worm and how they make the silk. I bought Emma a traditional Chinese dress for her picture that she will have done here with all of the other children.

We had dinner at the Western Restaurant. Yes, that's the name. Pizza, fries, salad, other Chinese foods. Not that great, but okay. Nothing very western about it.

Back to the hotel in the pouring rain and then off to bed. The driving here makes me very nervous. Bikes, scooters, buses, cars, taxi's. All very close and everyone is very offensive in their driving! Bo should love it.

There are so many interesting things to point out that I don't know where to start. I think the cutest thing has been the reaction from the Chinese people, especially older ladies, to 2 little girls in our group that are blond and blue eyed. They were practically mobbed yesterday by these older ladies who proceeded to hug and kiss them. The girls are young, but they handled it well. Their mom looked slightly nervous about the kissing and hugging, but she handled it well. I have a picture of them I will post later.

We are on display here. It's an odd feeling.

Today we attend a state run church. I'm looking very forward to that. We then are going to the jade market and the Great Wall as well as lunch and dinner and an acrobatics show tonight. But the most important thing of all is that we are less than a day away from Emma!! We leave in the morning to fly to her province. I'm not sure of the times yet, we will find it all out today. Everyone here is just so ready for that part. We are all liking the sight seeing, but that isn't the main reason we are here and we are ready to go get our children.

I still have not slept well. I seem to sleep for a couple of hours and then I'm awake off and on.

We are heading out to breakfast now and off to start the day. We love you all and I will post again soon. The next post may be after we get Emma, so that's really what everyone wants to see anyway!!