Beijing Day 1 Is In The Can

Well, it's just before 9 PM here, and we have had a full first day in Beijing.

In fact, we are exhausted.

We walked for several hours today, from Tieneman square, through The Forbidden City, around The Summer Palace, and of course, what felt like miles getting back into the bus after every destination.


(Stacy and I in front of a Dragon statue in The Forbidden City)

In between stops, we did a little shopping at the Beijing Pearl store - below you see a small group of the happy Pearl Ladies, all ready to sell you something. When we arrived at the building, it was eerie - there were two dozen of these ladies all standing at their assigned stations, waiting for us to come in and see the presentation. We did end up getting a good deal on a necklace and set of ear rings for Sophie...



We saw this sign in The Forbidden City and had to take a picture - apparently, they really want you to rest in the restroom over here!





(Our full tour group listening intently to Sherry in The Forbidden City)

We had two authentic meals today, served family style. We are eating about half the stuff put in front of us - we don't do fish or mushrooms... And by the way, Chinese food doesn't taste much like Leann Chin, in case you were wondering...

Tomorrow we will go to the official church, then have lunch and go to a jade factory, then go to the Great Wall. Afterward, some people will be seeing an acrobatics show - we'll be repacking our bags to meet the weight restrictions and trying to get some sleep...

We are less then two days from getting Sophie!

I took about a half hour of video today, and 262 pictures - not bad for one day and having to switch constantly between cameras!

We'll post again tomorrow!

Good night,

Larry