Another full Day in Beijing

Last night we went to the Acrobat show. The show was incredible. The costumes were incredible, and they were standing on rollers, sometimes holding 4 or 5 people on top of them. There was a bicyclist who had I would say 8 to 10 people on them at once. We went with another couple we will be traveling to province with, so we got to know them a little. We are going on this incredible adventure together. We even survived the ride home with them.:) When your life is on the line you really bond quickly.:) I don't know if I have mentioned this the drivers are insane. When lanes and traffic lights are options, and people are standing in the middle of the road it gets a little crazy.

Today we went to The Great Wall. It was really incredible to stand up there. It was really foggy though so we couldn't see the views, which we were a little disapointed but it was still incredible. Its amazing how many things ancient people built without any of the modern machinery we have. We walked up to the really steep part but didn't go all the way to the top. We had time constraints but wow did we get a workout just doing what we did.

I had to use my first squatty potty. We included a picture of one. I managed. Not as bad as I thought but really not the preferred way of going to the bathroom.:) Its amazing how all of the vendors are so forward. They just pull you into their shops and really push their products. We feels so bad because we are bargaining with them for such small amounts in U.S. dollars, which means even less for them.

After we left the great wall we went to the Colonaisse(spelling?) factory. It was amazing how they are made. They are actually copper not porcelain. After they are fired they smooth them down. They make beautiful vases and pottery. They were beautiful. There was a restaurant across the way that we ate at. Again the food is far exceeding my expectations. I am going to learn how to cook this way. I could eat this way all the time.

We came back to Beijing and saw the Bird's Nest and the Cube where the Olympics will be held this summer. After that we went to the Hutong. We went on a rickshaw ride and then went to a man's house there and was able to speak with him. He was an older man and he was just so happy and loved talking to us. There houses are little and sparse but the courtyard they live around was beautiful with birds and goldfish. He once had 40 people living in this tiny courtyard and as Americans I could not imagine it. He said he missed having all those people around. He said it was like a party all the time. It was so fascinating to experience how they really live.

That was our day in a nutshell. We are going to grab some dinner and do a little shopping. Tomorrow is orientation and we get updated information about Megan. I cannot wait. We are ready to get our little girl. 48 hrs from know we will have our little girl in our arms.