We're in China!!!
Arrived around 9:30pm last night. Dr. Susan (works for our adoption agency and lives here in Beijing) and our guide for Beijing, Lawrence, met us after we cleared customs. Our bus and driver took all of us to the Bamboo Garden hotel where we're staying for the next few days. The hotel is lovely - an old "mansion" that has a beautiful center courtyard and gardens, and lovely traditional Chinese architecture and decorations and furniture.
Amy and David were on the plane with us - they are in our adoption group with ASIA and live in Portland, Oregon. Diana and Todd, the third family in our group, arrived at the hotel the night before we did. Both couples are adopting baby girls who are about 10 months old right now.
After breakfast buffet (curry noodles, hot dogs, spring rolls, fried rice, congee, hard boiled eggs, broccoli, bacon), we boarded our bus for a harrowing day in Beijing traffic. We did Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden Palace (huge beyond words), and then had a delicious Beijing style lunch at a great restaurant. Then back onto the streets to see the Temple of Heaven. Dinner was a traditional hotpot dinner, then we were off to a show about the history of kung fu.
It is VERY cold here - and the wind doesn't help!!! I've learned camera batteries have quite a short lifespan in frigid weather. We've had interesting traffic experiences, and had two Chinese people try to sneak into the Forbidden City as part of our group. But the guards grabbed them and whisked them away.
LOTS of people on bikes, beautiful new things to see, VERY interesting squat toilet facilities that we are all becoming pros at (the women, that is!).
FOUR days to the babies!!!
More tomorrow - Off now to my hard but comfortable bed in our warm room...
Cheryl
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4 comments:
Hi Gang, this is Marty. I'm fascinated by your journal of adventures. Hope to be able to see photos soon or at a minimun at Jerilynn's house. I laughed out loud when reading about your bathroom venture. Stay well. I'm trying to keep up with you!
Hi Cheryl! Tim and I loved the Forbidden City and had the very same problem with people trying to sneak in. It is an amazing place. I am so nervous and excited for you. We can't wait to meet her in person. I read the blog every day.
Lisa
Hi - Nancy here -
Ah yes, the squat toilets. Not so terrific on aging knees. So glad I brought a walking stick to Ghana - probably saved me from several embarassing moments.
Great blog - your descriptions really convey the excitement of your adventure. I'm so happy for all of you and am eager to meet Kaeli. Have fun!
Hot dogs for breakfast? Did you let them know the western way is cold pizza for breakfast.
Again this is way too cool for words glad you came up with a way for us to share it. Looking forward to the next post to spark up my day. Tommy
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