Sunday, July 15, 2007

Tour of Beijing Day




Today was a long day but one we wouldn't have wanted to miss. We began the day touring the Forbidden City. The architecture was beautiful and the size of it was impressive. Several Chinese nationals came up to us and asked to have their picture taken with us. Some have never seen a westerner before so we are excited to see us. We then went to a jade factory where we were given a tour of the process to make the jade into ornaments and jewelry. Of course they had a large shop but we didn't buy any because we know that prices are cheaper in Guangzhou. After lunch we went to the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China. The saying goes that if you visit China and do not go to the Great Wall you really haven't visited China and if you don't make it to the hero's level you haven't really visited the Great Wall. We all made it to the hero's and Kourtney and I climbed to two more towers. We ran out of time or we could have gone further. The climb is very steep and the steps are very uneven. By the time we got to the bottom our legs were like rubber. After the Great Wall we took a tour of the Hutong in rickshaws. Hutong means narrow streets or alley's. The Hutong village is where the real Chinese people live. They share common courtyards and families live in the Hutong for generations. A family in the Hutong invited us to tour their home. It is a very simple life and though they have very little they are happy.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

For Kourtney and Kelly,
Kristy is so lucky to have you 2 girls for big sisters! We know you will bring so much love into her life. Don't forget to tell your mom and dad how much you love them too!
Love,
Ms. Lynnette

Anonymous said...

Well, it is 11:20PM in SC...so timezone-wise, I think it is Monday there?................. that means.....
JUDY IS IN LABOR??!!!!

Thinking of you and praying for you before I go to bed!

Carmi said...

Praying that today (since is 11:27 in NC) will be wonderful for you all. Praying for little Kristy that she is not scared and transitions smoothly into your family.

Carmi

Our Itinerary

July 13: Columbia, SC to Chicago. Chicago to Beijing

July 14: Arriving in Beijing, Staying in Wang Fu Jing Grand Hotel in Beijing

July 15: Sightseeing the Forbidden City and the Great Wall

July 16: GOTCHA DAY!

Fly from Beijing to Guangzhou at 07:50am,

Arriving Guangzhou at 10:55am

Kristy joins the family in the afternoon

July 17: Registration and notarization

July 18: Apply for Kristy's passport

July 19: Sightseeing Six Banyan Temple and Family Chen’s Temple

July 20: Free day

July 21: Free day

July 22: Free day

July 23: Free day

July 24: Getting legal documents, taking visa photo and Physical exam

July 25: Visa appointment at 11:00

July 26: Swearing in ceremony at the Consulate, getting the visa

July 27: Fly from Guangzhou to Hong Kong

July 27: Hong Kong to Chicago.

July 28: Chicago to Columbia, SC

Map of Chinese Provinces

Map of Chinese Provinces
Shan Le Jiao is living in the Guangdong Province

Guangdong Province Map

Guangdong Province Map
Shan Le Jiao's orphanage is in Shantou City