Saturday, February 3, 2007

Wow!!! What a full day it has been!!! Shannon has decided they try to wear you out touring in Beijing so getting a baby seems like a piece of cake!! They say it is to help you get over the jet lag. We went non stop from 7:30 this morning until 8:30 tonight and on our feet most of the day. The morning started with a delicious breakfast buffet. We had heard we might lose weight in China , but if we eat like this every morning-not a chance!!!! We then took a short bus ride through Beijing to Tian’anmen Square , the largest public square in the world, holding up to 1 million people. This is the center of Beijing. We took pictures of the Beijing Gate with Chairman Mao’s famous portrait. As well as the eternal glory monument. They glamorize his life and works as founder of the modern China. They might think he has eternal glory, but we know that only one person who has walked this earth has Eternal Glory!!!!And one day Every knee will bow and every tongue confess the eternal glory of Jesus!!!!!

We then walked through the many gates and courtyards of the Forbidden City, enjoying the ancient Chinese architecture and were amazed by the great lengths they went to for the security and privacy of the Emperor. There are over 8,000 rooms in the Forbidden City. They are renovating many of the ancient structures for the 2008 olympics in Beijing.

We then went to a family style Chinese lunch similar to what we think of as Chinese food in America. We ate too much again, even with chopsticks!!!

After lunch we went to a pearl factory where we saw how they harvest the pearls from the oysters here in China. We purchased a small string of light pink pearls for Lottie to wear some day.

The Summer Palace was the next stop. This was a retreat for the Emperor to go to to relax. He had a river made connecting the Forbidden City with his Summer Palace so he could go by boat. It is on a big lake and is quite beautiful. The lake is iced over this time of year.

Our last stop before dinner was a silk factory where they produce silk from the cocoon to the final clothing and bedding products. We purchased a silk outfit for Lottie to wear for a traditional Chinese portrait.

We ended the day with a Peking Duck Dinner. Again a family style Chinese dinner.

A very full day of learning about the heritage and culture of our daughter’s birth country of China. Thank you for following along on our journey. We tour the Great Wall tomorrow and then fly to Guangzhou Monday morning to get Lottie!!! Please pray we will be rested a little more for that special day!!! We look forward to your e-mails and guest book entries on our website!!! We may be half a world away but our hearts have not left home with our family and friends!!! We love and miss you all!!!!