In China
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Wednesday, November 5, 2014 Today was our first full day in Beijing. We spent the morning exploring the area and visiting different local shops. We probably walked about 2 miles. We as usual got many stares as we were walking down the street. We also got reprimanded a few times because the boys were in shorts. It was really a beautiful day today and the sky was so blue, which is not typical for Beijing. Our guide informed us that this week is the APEC convention and that 23 Presidents from all different countries were attending including our President. So to clear the skys they put into affect that only drivers with even number plates could be out on the roads. Cutting the traffic in half. We bought lunch at a local supermarket and had noodles in the room. We had our first experience with fake money. Grandpa Robin got handed back change the night before and one of the bills were a fake. Counterfeit money is quite common here and so we got a quick lesson on how to tell the real ones from the fake ones. It was really quite impressive how close the two bills looked alike. Then after lunch the kids worked on some homework in the room. We met our guide at 1:30 in the lobby to leave for our tour. We had planned on walking around the Olympic grounds, however when we got there it was closed due to the APEC convention so we had to take pictures from the outside gate. So we changed our plans and decided to attend the Lama Temple instead. It was home to the largest Buddha in the world. Zoe had lots of question for our guide about their beliefs. After the Temple we still had time to kill before our Kung fu show. So the guide suggested going to a Tea Ceremony. We all really enjoyed seeing the different kinds of teas made before us and tasting each one. Lastly we attended the Kung fu show. It was the same one that Steve and I attended five years ago with Zoe's adoption. Our guide asked us if we wanted to upgrade our tickets and I said No. Well next thing I know we are sitting center row three rows back. They upgraded us for free. Zoe has really taken to our guide and she to Zoe. It's really cute to see. Zoe keeps using the two Chinese words she knows and making people laugh. Well I'm going to sign off for the night we are all very tired and we have another big day ahead!

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