What a long day! 6/1/07

OK - Here is the list from today:

Group Breakfast
Lobby at 8:15
Jade Factory
Great Wall
Cloisonne Factory
Lunch
Ming Tombs
Silk Factory
Tea House
Hotel - 8:00 'ish

I cannot believe all that we saw in one day. Everyone is completely exhausted!

We started out with everyone meeting this morning for breakfast together. We are very happy to report that after a cancelled flight from MSP and some unhappy encounters with airport personnel, and then a lost reservation upon arrival here, the O'Donnell Family has made it (safe and tired, but here. They have quite a story to tell.

After breakfast, we met in the lobby at 8:15 for our tour. Our fist stop was at a jade factory where we purchased a small "peaceful button" necklace for Hope. Her button is both green (happines) and white (purity) jadite (a hard, high quality stone).



At 10:30 we were back in the vans and headed to the Great Wall at Badaling. Words cannot describe the wonder of this structure. We were in awe! When we first looked around, I was convinced that we were going to go our left. It seemed like there were fewer steps in that direction, but alas...NO. We went to the right and man was it a workout. People aren't fibbing when they tell you to get in shape before taking on the wall. It was simply incredible. Even through the haze we were able to experience wonderful views from the top of our climb. It is difficult to imagine the construction process involved. Absolutely a "wonder of the world."

Our first group shot in China (we are still minus 2 families)



Beth & Dave (1st to climb to the top - I know...heights! I'm full of surprises this trip!)



The view from above - it doesn't look so bad from this angle, but when you're at the bottom looking up, the climb seems endless.

This monument says that "you're not a real man until you've walked on the wall."

Our next stop brought us to a cloisonne factory where we learned about the steps of decorating these beautiful copper crafts. It is a very intricate, detailed process. One thing that I've noticed at all of our stops thus far, is the pride of the Chinese people in their work and tradition. Our guides have been very passionate in their descriptions of everything we've seen. The hosts/hostesses have been very polite and gracious, and the craftsmen (& women) are very intent and focussed during their work as we all gather around for closer views of their art. Their attitude is inspiring.

Upstairs from the cloisonne factory we were treated to a very delicious lunch. We were served sweet and sour pork, beef with peppers, rice, and an assortment of other dishes (I'm not just sure of it all). I personally enjoyed the sesame seed balls. MMMMMMMMM! The fishy tasting mystery meat, not so much. :)

Next on the list for the day was a visit to the Ming Tombs. Another very interesting place with a rich history. This was the burial place for 13 emperors. How incredible that people would take such care in creating such a magnificent place for burial. I don't really have a lot to report from here. It is just so awesome to take it all in.

Emily, Lexi, & Kennedie

Really Cool Cypress Tree

Ron and Bob (who just keeps going, and going, and going,...you get the picture)

By now we were all starting to lose our energy. Jet lag has hit most of us and we're ready to end the tour. But, Bob (our guide for the day) had other plans. We still stopped at a silk factory and a tea house before heading back to the Jinglun Hotel. I think most of us glanced around at everything and thought...OK - let's go. :) We made time for just one more picture though. We think Hope would be pretty darn cute in this light pink/peach color. Opinions?


Hope all is well at home. We miss everyone. The last week before we left we had many phone calls and visitors and now we're feeling a bit detached. We're very excited that we'll be meeting our daughter in 3 days now. Please keep the comments coming. Also, please continue to pray for us and all of the families here that we remain healthy as we overcome our jet lag and prepare to meet our daughters. We love hearing from everyone, and we'll be saving everything for Hope to read as she grows as well.

All our love - Beth & Ron

Quick view from the van window of the Olympic Stadium in progress. ("bird's nest")