June 2, 2007

Our final day in Beijing wasn't quite as busy as the day before. We visited more of the city's landmarks, had a little down time and some birthday cake for Betsy during the afternoon, and ended by going to an acrobat show. I was able to write about most of our day last year so I will use that post again here with (***) a few additions. Here is what I had to say that evening:
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We didn't pack so much into this day. It was nice to be able to determine our own schedule. We ended up working as a group to book a private tour of the Forbidden City and Tian' anmen Square.

We met for breakfast at 6:45 this morning. The buffet has been very good. They have an assortment of dry cereal and juices, fruits, breads, and a line-up of hot foods such as various sausages, potato cakes, boiled eggs, beans with tomato sauce, dim sum, ham, bacon, fried rice, made to order eggs, and congee. Some have asked us about congee. This is what most of our daughters are probably eating every day. It is sort of a soupy rice. It doesn't have much flavor at all. Most people seem to be adding sweetener. It seems like rice that has been cooked in water for a very long time so it becomes super soft and the water is very starchy.

This morning our tour left at about 8:30. Our guide today was Benny, a college English teacher by profession, and tour guide during his extra time. His English was very clear. He seemed to really have a wealth of knowledge about the places we visited. I just wish I'd have had some way to write it all down. My memory of all the details from today is pretty weak.

*** Here is a view of the Temple of Heaven from our van. This is definitely on the list of places to visit next time. ***

We began our walk at Tian' anmen Square (which means "gate of heavenly peace"). Benny talked about the circle structure of Beijing City. Originally, Beijing was built in a series of rings (4, I think) surrounded by walls. There were 9 gates to the city on the outer ring and only 4 at the center leading into the Forbidden City.



We found geocache #250 today in Tian' anmen Square at the focal monument to lost soldiers there. It was a virtual cache, so we just posed in front of the structure with gps in hand. YEA!!! #250 - IN CHINA! Also today was special as there were children standing 'at attention' in front of the monument because (if I understood correctly) yesterday was a children's holiday of some sort.

*** Here is a photo of the children. We've since learned that June 1 is Children's Day in China. Isn't that a wonderful idea? ***

*** This is one of my favorite photos from this day. Betsy is taking a few seconds here to honor children of her own. Many of us had lanyards or other tags with our referral photos so we could wear them and have them with us for our trip. I just happened to catch this moment with Betsy dreaming about the daughter she was about to meet. ***

*** These uniforms were present at all of the national landmarks we visited. If our memory is correct, the green guard is military and the blue uniform is from the police. ***

There is an official government building to the west (I think) where representatives from every province meet once every 5 years there for formal meetings. There were many questions about what happens now at these historical places. For the most part they are all being preserved as museums, but that one large building in particular is still used for some official business.

The other very special place at Tian' anmen Square is the monument to honor Chairman Mao. This is a place that is very recognized in pictures.

This one is for you, Brian.



I have to comment on the vendors...PUSHY vendors in this area. They are all selling postcard packets, kites, hats, tourist books, and "Mao Mao" watches. I don't understand how they all rush you at once, watch you say "no" to the first few people, and still come up and ask you to purchase the very same things. They have been a bit of a challenge for some of us. it is frustrating to have swarms of people around you ALL the time with no escape.

We have one member of our group who is certainly drawing some extra attention. Lexi = rock star. She has been touched, stared at, tugged on, hugged, offered food, posed for pictures with local children and adults, and she is still smiling. She has been such a great little traveler so far and she has handled it all with lots of inner grace. She is loved.



From Tian' anmen Square, we crossed the street through a tunnel to the Forbidden City. This area was so much larger and more extravagant that I could have imagined. We were taught a little more about fung shui and the placement of the buildings and arrangement other things inside the city. There is a manmade river called the "Golden River." There is an "Outer Golden River" that acts as a sort of moat around the city, and an "Inner Golden River" around the imperial area. The water is to act as a barrier to prevent good fortune from leaving. Surrounding mountains are to act as wind barriers to prevent good fortune from being swept away.
*** Info at the entrance ***

*** These next couple of photos show some of the construction that was taking place as Beijing prepared to welcome the world for the Olympic Games. You can also see Benny and some of our group in the second shot. ***



*** Info about this Empress Chamber ***


Ron & Andy



We've learned that almost everything is symbolic of something.
Colors for example - Gold = Royal Color; Red = Celebration; Green Jade = Happiness
Phoenix = Empress, feminine grace, beauty
Dragon = Emperor, strength, power (Also, it is interesting that in America we typically associate Dragons with breath of fire whereas in China, Dragons are associated with water).
Elephants = peace
It is all so fascinating. Where a person sleeps means something. What bridge a person was allowed represented status in ancient times. All of the animals of the Chinese zodiac represent various qualities. And so much more! It seems like everything means something.

The lions each are special as well. Apparently, in ancient times, the female was displayed with her paw on the child as she controlled the family. And, the male rested his paw on the globe, as he controlled the world. Reactions?

And another - The branch-interlocked cypresses symbolize loyal love. It is said that Puyi and Wanrong, the last emperor and empress of the Qing dynasty, had their photograph taken in front of the trees after their wedding ceremony to show that "we wish to fly in heaven, two birds with one pair of wings, and to grow together on earth, two trees with branches interlaced." (copied from a nearby sign)

Also the Forbidden City is home to our #251 geocache. We were able to leave the group for a quick rest while we took about 10 minutes (and our guide) to hunt this one down. This cache is called "Case Closed." We were to find something surrounded by 5 ft. tall glass (NOT grass as I was searching for grass for the longest time). :) Anyway, we found it with little trouble. Much thanks goes to Benny for leading us around the maze of buildings. When we arrived, we found a very large quartz crystal of some kind. I overheard another guide explaining the the Emperor wanted his Queen and all his concubines to be as pure as the crystal. Huh? OK. Like I said before...everything represents something. :)

*** Here is our group as they waited for us to return from our geocaching excursion. ***


*** Two more with scenery from the Forbidden City/Imperial Gardens ***


*** This was our view as we exited the Forbiden City and looked behind us. ***

We also were treated to a yummy surprise tonight. It is Betsy's (another expecting Mom from our group) birthday tomorrow and her very sweet husband (careful Andy, if you're reading this) bought her a cake and invited us all to surprise her before we left for the theater. OOPS - a slight backfire...as we got off the elevator to go to her room, Betsy was just coming down the hallway toward us. "Betsy, what are you doing out here?" Oh, well.

Our evening was exciting with the performance of the Chinese Acrobats. Skill! Flexibility! Focus & Determination! It was really an amazing show. I would guess that some of the youngest performers were maybe about 6 yrs. old. It was a very cool thing to see.

*** It is so strange to think that while we were busy enjoying the amazing Chinese culture and Beijing sights, our little girls were probably embarking on the first leg of their trip to Nanning as they returned to the orphanage from their foster homes. How heartbreaking for them. They had no idea that their lives were about to be turned upside down...again. We, their new families, were totally giddy with anticipation while these six little angels were bravely on their way to meet us. There is no way we can even begin to comprehend the experiences of the next few days from the girls' perspective. All I can say is that we were all so ready to meet our daughters.

A year ago tomorrow we got on a plane bound for southern China. We were so close to having our Hope in our arms!!! ***