Thanks so much for visiting us during our journey, Steve, Patty, Caleb, Danae (daughter-in-law), Logan, Drew and Annika!
For this child I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him.
So I have also dedicated her to the Lord; as long as she liveth she is dedicated to the Lord. I Samuel 1:27 - 28
Today was another busy and full of sightseeing day. We were able to go on a Rickshaw ride through the old city of Beijing. Some of the streets are so narrow that only the Rickshaws and bicycles can go through them. You have to remember that there are so many people living in China that they really can not all have vehicles or they will not fit on the streets. People walk many places and the bicycles are everywhere.
We went to a School that is very similar to their orphanages and had a chance to mix with the children and play with them. The one thing that we did notice was the majority of the children in this school were boys.
Steve enjoyed spinning the ball on his finger for them and juggling some hacky sacks. The children all gathered around and one little boy looked at him and in Chinese said, "you have very white skin". He then giggled and ran the other way.
As we were looking around the playground I couldn't help but wonder which one of the few girls that were there might look like my daughter.
While on our Rickshaw ride we had many vendors on bicycles riding along side of us to sell us items. Anything from pencils to silk scarves. There was a particular girl riding along side of us and she tried so hard to get me to buy a scarf from her. She road the entire way with us and we went a long ways.....finally she looked at me and said "maybe later". Dummy me shook my head to get her to go away and darned if at the end of our ride she was right back by my side with that pleading looking wrinkling her nose at me. You are probably wondering what I did....Nope, really didn't want any silk scarves, so I wrinkled my nose at her, smiled and walked away.
We were able to go inside a typical Chinese house that has been passed down for 4 generations. The house itself has been added on to many times to accommodate the growing family. The original part of the house was over 300 years old. We ended up buying a beautiful Chinese picture in pinks for Annika there as the father is a painter.
There is a smell to China. Not sure if I can put my finger on it, but it lingers and you can't get away from it. I have been queasy since we stepped off of the bus for our hotel the first day. I still can't seem to find any food that sets right with my stomach and I just feel sick all the time. Steve does not seem to be having any problems with food.
Our adoption group that we are traveling with are a variety of people, but we all get along well and everyone has a great sense of humor.
We were able to spend the afternoon and evening with friends of ours from back home. Anne and Greg O'Boyle came and got us by taxi and we went out to eat with them and their children and went back to their apartment for "good" homemade chocolate cake and milk. Yes, I had two pieces. It was pretty much all I ate today.
We walked alot to catch buses, taxis and just to walk to stores with them. The Chinese people get right in your faces and stare at you and love to listen to you talk your English and sometimes they practice it on you. I have learned to do alot of hand gestures to get what I need.
YES!!! I conquered the squatty potty today. First time I used it and I did not even fall down or make a mess. Mission Accomplished!!
We have a very busy day tomorrow. Meeting our group at 8:30 a.m. for the Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Peking Duck Dinner and the Pearl Factory. We will be back to our hotel around 7:30 p.m. Very long day of walking, touring and cold weather.
We are having a great time in China. In the back of my mind I keep thinking that we are so close to Annika and yet......we still do not have her.
Thank you again for following our journey. Please leave messages in the guestbook. I am unable to access The Story of You from China, but I do want to print this off for Annika and have it for her to keep and look back on of our journey to get her.
