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:
~~~~~~~~~~
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!!! ***

June 1, 2007

This day one year ago was the busiest we had in Beijing. We crammed so much into this day it was crazy. Some of it was our doing, and some of it was Bob's (our tour guide for the day who just wanted to make us happy, but didn't know when to quit).

Since I was able to blog on this day I'll be copying most of this post from my June 1 post of a year ago with a few minor updates (***) and additional photos. The pictures make this seem like quite a marathon post, but they're the best part. And, like I said, we had a very packed day. Enjoy re-living our Great Wall, etc. experiences of this day with us.
~~~~~~~~~~
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. *** Amy and Dave, Flossie and Ashley - we were so happy to finally have you there safe and sound. What a way to start your trip! I would have been an absolute basketcase. Who am I kidding? I was pretty much an emotional baby for our whole trip anyway. :) You handled everything so well! ***

After breakfast, we met in the lobby at 8:15 for our tour. *** We had no idea what we were in for. *** Our fist stop was at a jade factory where we purchased a small "peaceful button" necklace for Hope. Her button is both green (happiness) and white (purity) jadeite (a hard, high quality stone).



*** Expensive Jade bracelet we didn't buy. :) I had fun trying it on though. They put my hand in a plastic bag to get this thing on my wrist. Once Chinese women get their bracelets they very rarely remove them so they are intended to fit snugly. ***

*** Jade Family Ball - This is carved out of a single solid piece of jade. We were told that each sphere is to represent a family generation. The caption here reads "Dragon is a symbol of the masculine and phoenix is a symbol of feminine. The combination of the two in the shape of a ball can bring couples love and harmony."

*** Lady at Work - & Andy's head. :)***

*** Leaving the Factory - Next Stop: Great Wall ***

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)

*** To the Left ***

*** To the Right ***



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.

*** I added these next photos for perspective. You can see how steep, large, and uneven the steps are. Also, the railing is often at knee height...not the most comfortable for hanging on, but you certainly don't dare let go either. :) ***



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 focused during their work as we all gather around for closer views of their art. Their attitude is inspiring.
*** Another Lady Working***

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.
*** Some Info About the Chambers ***

Emily, Lexi, & Kennedie

Really Cool Cypress Tree

*** ...& Caption ***

*** Here are a couple more pretty shots from the Tombs. Notice the Dragon and Phoenix in the lower picture. ***


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?

*** SILK - Spinning & Our Group Stretching Silk for a Comforter ***


*** We're all still smiling, but we are WIPED OUT! ***

*** I ended my post last year talking about how much fun we'd had during those first couple of days but how far away from home we were beginning to feel. We'd been so busy before we left and we'd been having lots and lots of visitors and phone calls from friends and family wishing us well. Now all of a sudden there we were, thousands of miles away with only this blog keeping us connected. We asked for prayers and comments then as we do now. Please continue to keep our family in your prayers and to leave us notes when you visit us here. It means so much to hear from all of you, quick visitors, family, and friends alike. Though I type here for journaling purposes, it is still nice to know that I'm not alone in my ramblings. So, there we were at the end of an exhausting day, excited to know we'd be meeting Hope in 3 days but so tired and feeling the effects of the 13 hour time difference catching up with us. Stay tuned for the next installment of our Beijing adventures. ***

All our love - Beth & Ron

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