July 14 – Saturday
The Great Wall was our first destination this morning. It was amazing, very steep – the part we saw of it. As you can tell from the picture, it was very foggy and misty. Again, the girls were quite an attraction! Lots of pointing and staring and pictures – and lots of thumbs up and peace signs. Too funny. It was so crowded. We held onto the girls very tightly. There had to be thousands of people in the section where we were – I couldn’t believe that no one fell down, since it was wet. There was a grandmother that was pushing her grandson to have a picture made with the girls and he really didn’t want to. It was hilarious. Several people said “very beautiful” to the girls – they were good sports and smiled a lot! Doug got a cup of coffee when we finished out climb. He came out of the coffee shop and made the worst face! He said it was THE worst cup of coffee he had ever had. He poured it out. So funny!
We then went to lunch (which was conveniently located in a store that sold cloisonné - copper vases and décor that is painted and fired like ceramics). They are very intricate and colorful. I had always thought they were ceramic, but the lady said they could not break. Of course, there were lots of jewelry and clothing dealers too. Lunch was OK, but not quite as good as yesterday.
On the way back we drove by the Olympic stadiums that are almost complete. The “bird’s nest” is the primary facility. It looks amazing! Huge and cool design.
Today was about the worst traffic we have ever seen – ever, anywhere. Bikes and walkers and rickshaws and U-turns. Everyone everywhere on the streets. The lines on the road are mere suggestions. No one speeds because it’s too crowded. Cars literally were 3 across 2 lanes – just squeezing in between others, all while people and bikes weaving in and out. We even saw a man pulling a cart of corn across a major road. We could not believe we did not witness a person getting run over. We did see one fender bender and neither car stopped – they just kept on driving!
We see lots of people just hanging around. Lots of smoking and people that just squat. Instead of sitting on the ground, they squat. It looks terribly uncomfortable!
We are back at our hotel for a little while and then we go to the acrobat show and dinner after that. These will be our last “events” in Beijing. S and L are asleep for a quick nap – no asking them twice to take a nap – they are worn out, but are in a good mood, thankfully!
Tomorrow is the big day. We have stayed SO busy that the time has passed quickly. These days in Beijing have been amazing. Not something I’d probably do again, but very thankful to have had the opportunity to see this city. It will give us a whole new appreciation when we watch the Olympics next summer! We need to be at the airport at 9 AM tomorrow, so we will wake up, pack and eat b’fast first. We are scheduled to arrive in Xi’an about 1 PM and meet/get Ally between 4 and 5. We don’t know if we will go to the orphanage or if they will bring her to the hotel. Either way is fine. We will get to see the orphanage on Wednesday. There are a couple of little folks that we are on the look-out for and hope to be able to get some pictures for their new families who are waiting to travel! I hope we can see them. It’s hard to believe (have I said that yet???).
The Great Wall was our first destination this morning. It was amazing, very steep – the part we saw of it. As you can tell from the picture, it was very foggy and misty. Again, the girls were quite an attraction! Lots of pointing and staring and pictures – and lots of thumbs up and peace signs. Too funny. It was so crowded. We held onto the girls very tightly. There had to be thousands of people in the section where we were – I couldn’t believe that no one fell down, since it was wet. There was a grandmother that was pushing her grandson to have a picture made with the girls and he really didn’t want to. It was hilarious. Several people said “very beautiful” to the girls – they were good sports and smiled a lot! Doug got a cup of coffee when we finished out climb. He came out of the coffee shop and made the worst face! He said it was THE worst cup of coffee he had ever had. He poured it out. So funny!
We then went to lunch (which was conveniently located in a store that sold cloisonné - copper vases and décor that is painted and fired like ceramics). They are very intricate and colorful. I had always thought they were ceramic, but the lady said they could not break. Of course, there were lots of jewelry and clothing dealers too. Lunch was OK, but not quite as good as yesterday.
On the way back we drove by the Olympic stadiums that are almost complete. The “bird’s nest” is the primary facility. It looks amazing! Huge and cool design.
Today was about the worst traffic we have ever seen – ever, anywhere. Bikes and walkers and rickshaws and U-turns. Everyone everywhere on the streets. The lines on the road are mere suggestions. No one speeds because it’s too crowded. Cars literally were 3 across 2 lanes – just squeezing in between others, all while people and bikes weaving in and out. We even saw a man pulling a cart of corn across a major road. We could not believe we did not witness a person getting run over. We did see one fender bender and neither car stopped – they just kept on driving!
We see lots of people just hanging around. Lots of smoking and people that just squat. Instead of sitting on the ground, they squat. It looks terribly uncomfortable!
We are back at our hotel for a little while and then we go to the acrobat show and dinner after that. These will be our last “events” in Beijing. S and L are asleep for a quick nap – no asking them twice to take a nap – they are worn out, but are in a good mood, thankfully!
Tomorrow is the big day. We have stayed SO busy that the time has passed quickly. These days in Beijing have been amazing. Not something I’d probably do again, but very thankful to have had the opportunity to see this city. It will give us a whole new appreciation when we watch the Olympics next summer! We need to be at the airport at 9 AM tomorrow, so we will wake up, pack and eat b’fast first. We are scheduled to arrive in Xi’an about 1 PM and meet/get Ally between 4 and 5. We don’t know if we will go to the orphanage or if they will bring her to the hotel. Either way is fine. We will get to see the orphanage on Wednesday. There are a couple of little folks that we are on the look-out for and hope to be able to get some pictures for their new families who are waiting to travel! I hope we can see them. It’s hard to believe (have I said that yet???).
3 comments:
OMG ~ It is so hard to believe that tomorrow when I wake up there will You, Doug, and Sara, Lauren, and ALly on my comuter screen! It is giving me goosebumps! I am so excitied for you! I can't believe that we have been on this road together for so long ~ I can't imagine my red thread without you guys in it. We have the beautiful towel that you made for LiLi out, so that you are in our thought and prayers ~constantly! Not that we need the towel to remind us, it is just so darn pretty :D
Ladybug Hung!
TOMORROW IS ALLY DAY!!!
Can't wait to read tomorrow all about your day! Talked to mom last nite - she is getting cited!! Loving the pics - looks like everyone is having so much fun.
Good words.
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