Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it. ~ConfuciusToday we visited Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and a tour of the old part of town called Hutong. We went as a group on a bus and stepped off at Tiananmen Square. The minute that we stepped off the bus it began. The local merchants followed us with their merchandise hoping to get us to buy some souvenirs. People would stop us as we were walking so they could touch Hannah. Many people asked if they could have their pictures taken with her. They were not so pleased to find out that I would need to be in the picture as well since I was wearing her in the carrier. I guess they decided to take the good with the bad and settled for both of us. Hannah has decided that she likes China and she wants to stay forever.
We walked from Tiananmen Square into the Forbidden City. I have seen many pictures of the Forbidden City, but still had no idea how large it is. The Forbidden City is where the Emperors of China lived. There are 9,999 rooms in total. And we think we have it big! The views from the complex were breathtaking and it was surreal to see a modern city sprawling beyond the boundaries of the ancient city.
After hiking for several hours we went to lunch at a local restaurant. The food was awesome. I haven’t eaten so much in a long time. We had a chance to sit and talk to other families adopting and enjoyed ourselves immensely.
We left the restaurant to take a tour of the old city of Hutong which translated means “narrow alley”. We rode in rickshaws around the city and caught a glimpse of the life of the average Chinese national. After the ride we walked to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wong. The house consists of four rooms that surround a courtyard. They were considered to be wealthy because they actually had there own bathroom. Oh the things we take for granted.
From the home of the Wong’s we walked to a historic building called the bell tower which kept time in ancient Beijing. There we had a traditional tea party at a tea house. We learned a little about how the Chinese make tea. We do it all wrong with our long brews and water heated in the microwave. The tea was delicious and Joe learned the ancient Chinese secret to cure “bald spots”. They demonstrated coffee mugs that changed colors and designed when water the temperature of the Chinese tea is poured into them. The final demonstration was of a “lucky boy” figurine. They asked us what we thought the figurine would do when wet. We said “change colors” or “design”. She poured water on him and he whizzed out onto the table. Hannah squealed with delight over the water spraying onto the table. The ladies thought she was so cute they gave her a complimentary anatomically correct ‘lucky boy’ of her own. She carried proudly back to the hotel room.
The day was topped off with a fine meal from McDonalds in our hotel room. Another day of our adventure is complete and we look forward to the Great Wall and tour the Jade Factory. Most of all we look forward to Monday when we finally add Elainea to our family!
We walked from Tiananmen Square into the Forbidden City. I have seen many pictures of the Forbidden City, but still had no idea how large it is. The Forbidden City is where the Emperors of China lived. There are 9,999 rooms in total. And we think we have it big! The views from the complex were breathtaking and it was surreal to see a modern city sprawling beyond the boundaries of the ancient city.
After hiking for several hours we went to lunch at a local restaurant. The food was awesome. I haven’t eaten so much in a long time. We had a chance to sit and talk to other families adopting and enjoyed ourselves immensely.
We left the restaurant to take a tour of the old city of Hutong which translated means “narrow alley”. We rode in rickshaws around the city and caught a glimpse of the life of the average Chinese national. After the ride we walked to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wong. The house consists of four rooms that surround a courtyard. They were considered to be wealthy because they actually had there own bathroom. Oh the things we take for granted.
From the home of the Wong’s we walked to a historic building called the bell tower which kept time in ancient Beijing. There we had a traditional tea party at a tea house. We learned a little about how the Chinese make tea. We do it all wrong with our long brews and water heated in the microwave. The tea was delicious and Joe learned the ancient Chinese secret to cure “bald spots”. They demonstrated coffee mugs that changed colors and designed when water the temperature of the Chinese tea is poured into them. The final demonstration was of a “lucky boy” figurine. They asked us what we thought the figurine would do when wet. We said “change colors” or “design”. She poured water on him and he whizzed out onto the table. Hannah squealed with delight over the water spraying onto the table. The ladies thought she was so cute they gave her a complimentary anatomically correct ‘lucky boy’ of her own. She carried proudly back to the hotel room.
The day was topped off with a fine meal from McDonalds in our hotel room. Another day of our adventure is complete and we look forward to the Great Wall and tour the Jade Factory. Most of all we look forward to Monday when we finally add Elainea to our family!
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