October 20, 2008 Beijing

OK, so now I know why the Chinese are so thin. They WALK everywhere!! My calves are killing me. How much room do you think an emperor needs? Well, evidently he needs a whole city. We went to the Forbidden City today. It's named that due to the public not being allowed to enter in. The last emperor lived in the Forbidden City until 1927, but was done with his reign in 1911. The city has been open to the public since then. It is crazy big and Aron and I were shocked that the government let's people roam free inside. We entered at the South Gate, very near Tienamen Square. The city is basically concentric squares protected by a moat. Every lion statue, phenix statue, brick and door have a meaning in China. They are very superstitious. It was fascinating to see it. One of the emperors started his reign at 4 years old. The previous emperor chose this little boy and the night the emperor died the little boy had to spend the night with the dead body. It "completed" the dead emperor's life. YIkes! Poor kid. Our guide is a fabulous historian and has so much info for us. These are the pictures of Tienamen Square the Forbidden City.

After the Forbidden City Tour we went to "old" China. We went to the housing area where the people lived before the high rises. It was very interesting. We even got to enter one of the homes and visit with a woman who has lived there for 40 years. She is just getting electric heat this fall. She has heated her house with charcoal for 40 years. She also uses the communal potty across the road. No indoor bathroom. This type of house is called a hutong. We took a hutong tour by rickshaw today and we saw our lives pass before our eyes. Evidentally they drive rickshaws like they drive cars. WILDLY! I thought for sure we were on 2 wheels half the time. We seriously passed between an oncoming truck on the left and a parked car on the right with inches to spare. Our little Chinese driver was pedaling for all he was worth and my hair was actually flying back. We were really moving. We had a young Chinese man as our hutong guide and he called himself Oscar. He was so funny. The hutong tour was very interesting and we tipped our rickshaw driver well. He really earned it! These are pictures of the rickshaw and the hutongs.

We got back to the hotel about 3:00 pm and then went to the Bank of China. You take a number and wait until your number is called. OUr guide went with us thank heaven because we had to exchange our new bills for Chinese money. The teller did examine the bills front and back for any folds or writing on them. She accepted every bill! Praise the Lord. Our guide let us put the money in her back pack but she didn't want to cary all that money. We are a bit nervous about traveling with it but we have no choice. So would you pray for our safe travels?

After the bank my brilliant husband thinks we should walk to the McDonald's for dinner. He's hankerin' for a Big Mac. It gets dark around 5:00 and it's dusk when we leave. I'm a little nervous about this. I thought that there would be more racial diversity here but there really are very few white people. We kind of stand out. Anyway, it can't be that far, so off we go. It was a good 20 minute walk. We almost gave up but then those golden arches came into view and we nearly sprinted the last block. The food tasted almost identical to American McDonald's. Don't worry Mom we didn't drink the fountain pop. I know the ice may not be purified water. But the fries were soooo good. When we leave it is dark. There are still rickshaws, bicycles, motorbikes, mopeds, home made 3 wheel jobies... all over the place. In China, vehicles have the right of way. Pedestrians, look 4 ways before you cross the street. One piece of advice from our guide was "do as the Romans". I know, she's pretty funny. So, we pretty much crossed the streets with the crowd. One time we went and could only make it half way. There were 2 Chinese next to us and they were laughing at me because I was screaming. Aron took my arm and said "don't look just run". Man, this chubby lady hasn't moved that fast in a long time. We made it to the other side!!
My husband could be a world traveler. He wants to enter the Amazing Race. He thinks we could win.
Tomorrow the first set of parents leave to get their little ones. They are soooo excited. We were joined today by a lady who is adopting a 13 year old girl. She has a husband and 10 and 6 year old boys at home. Her mom is with her. She is soooo wonderful to be giving this teenager a home. There really are very few options for orphans here. There are 16,000,000 people in Beijing alone. Aron was told that they need to create 9,000,000 jobs a month here in China to keep their economy growing. Wow!! These orphans are so alone. I wonder at the despair a birthmom would have to feel to relinquish a child. It makes me sad. I hope that I will do for AJ what she couldn't do for herself and child. There really are very few options here. I pray that she will know in her heart that he is loved and cared for. I hope that someday we will meet in heaven and share a smile. I pray that she will find hope.

Tomorrow we go to the Summer Palace and maybe the silk factory. Oh Aron, hang on to your wallet! It will be fun to see but I am getting anxious to meet our boy....1 more day!!