The Great Wall!

Well, we’ve finally climbed the Great Wall of China!  It is definitely impressive.  A wall that long along the prairies would be impressive; a wall that big snaking its way through large hills and small mountains is just awesome.

 

 We climbed up the steeper trail, and it sure was steep!  Sara and Li Lin waited at one landing as Rykauna, Logan, Hudson and I continued up to the next tower.  Unfortunately the sky was a big foggy so the view was not clear but it was still breath-taking and awesome.  As has been said, you haven’t been in China until you have seen the Great Wall so officially, we’ve now been in China!

 

On the way to the wall we stopped by at a Jade Factory/Store.  There were some absolutely amazing jade sculptures.  This one with the horses took 5 years to carve out.

  Hudson would like this boat to play with at home!

 After the wall, we went to a Cloisonne (sp?) factory for lunch.  After a great lunch upstairs, we were able to tour the factory, see the people handcrafting these vases step by step (they are INCREDIBLY patient!!!) and look in awe at the handiwork.  No wonder this stuff is so expensive.  We could choose between our house or owning this one vase!  Not sure if we could all fit in though?

When we got home, there was a carnation and a little card for Sara from our agency, wishing her a Happy Mother’s Day.

We were then treated to round... 5, or 6 of Chinese hospitality.  Our friend Claire from Toronto had wanted us to meet up with her sister while here in Beijing.  We were able to arrange that and so Mingfang (Lucy), her beautiful daughter Jenny and our friend Ruth Vance came to the hotel and we were treated to another wonderful feast.  We tried out Peking Duck, as well as quail’s eggs, crab, fish, chicken, beef and pork, along with a variety of vegetables.  I definitely will need to take up my running again once I get home!

This morning we went for a swim in the beautiful pool here in the hotel.  We are planning a trip to the Beijing Zoo this afternoon, followed by an acrobat show.  The kids have been wanting to go to one of those since we got to China so they are very excited.  Hopefully Li Lin is in awe of the sights and sounds and so sits still while watching!

Li Lin is continuing the bonding of our family.  She quickly takes off her shoes once she gets into the hotel room.  Given that she would not take them off even to sleep for the first several days, it shows her comfort level with us.  When Sara asks if she likes little brother, she nods.  Big brother, she nods.  Big sister, she nods.  Mama, she will sort of shyly nod.  Baba, usually a shake of the head!  She has mentioned a couple of times that she loves foster grandma and foster grandpa.  However, she did not cry when talking about them and has not called for them in several days now.  She also no longer asks to go out of our room constantly.  She seems to have an idea that this is her family, whether she likes it or not!