Well, it has been another beautiful day in Beijing. Bradley keeps telling everyone that he loves it here and that he could live here! Even people who don’t speak English- they don’t understand a word he says. They just nod and smile. He is really doing well, adjusting to the culture and the language… it’s a good thing! Bradley has really tried to learn and say many Chinese words. I am not sure that he is going to want to go home—except he does miss Max and Jake!
Today we started off early and headed to the out-skirts of Beijing. We saw the construction of several Olympic venues. The 2008 Olympics will be a spectacular event! After taking a few photos, we went to one of the entrances to the Great Wall… no words can do it justice! The view was amazing and to think of the labor involved in the construction- so long ago! It was a bit cold, especially the higher you went—good thing we dressed like we were in Michigan! I still have to pinch myself because I can’t believe that we are really here. After climbing a part of the Great Wall, we went to the Friendship Store for lunch. The meal was very good. Finally we are getting into the Chinese culture by eating “real” Chinese food! There were many tourist there and of course more souvenirs to buy! No McDonald’s in the plans for today! It was back into the van and we headed toward the Ming Tombs. It was amazing to see such architecture and historic artifacts from so long ago. We also enjoyed watching some of the vendors play a silly hacky-sack like game with feathers on it. Bradley had a good time kicking the toy around with them. There was also a girl painting on the inside of a bottle- a tiny bottle. She told us that this was a family custom that she learned from her father. There was a beautiful tiger bottle that I just had to have! Go MacDonald Tigers! (I miss you all… remember your “paws-itive” behavior!) After a full day of sight-seeing, Nancy and I needed a foot massage! We walked to a local massage parlor and had fifty minute foot/leg massages for only 80 RMB—(about $10 USD). After a great massage- we felt like we could climb the Great Wall again! We met Miss Cai for dinner at “Our Own Restaurant”. We tried Beijing Roast Duck. It was very good. There were no Americans in this restaurant, only local Chinese families—we have fully emerged ourselves into the culture now! There were wood burning ovens on the streets roasting the ducks- nothing you would see in the US! It was a great day--- everyone at the hotel and everywhere in Beijing have been so kind and friendly… we almost hate to leave. Tomorrow is the BIG day--- our Gotcha Day! We will finally have AngeLina in our arms! Guess I better begin gathering and packing my bags for another airplane ride to Guiyang- AngeLina’s Province. Richard is still dreading the flight. This trip should only be 3 ˝ hours and shortly after we arrive at our hotel—the foster mom’s will bring AngeLina and Claire to our hotel! We can’t wait! Maybe everything will seem real once we have her in our arms—but I don’t think so. I will keep pinching myself!
Thinking of you all—missing you more!
Love, Sherri, Richard and Brad
