Today was filled with touring and rain and more rain and more rain! We had to buy umbrellas from a street vendor. Let me tell you they were really expensive! 20 Yuan about $2.10 for both. ;-)
We started at Tian An Men Square. We learned many things about China and its government. Many things that we never knew before. Our group was joking that we needed to get the National Geographic version so we could remember it all. The rain started in the middle of Tian An Men Square and continued for the rest of the day.
Next it was a very, very, very long walk through the Forbidden City. Again there is so much history and so many things to see it was hard to remember everything! The rain only got worse and by this time we were all really wet. It wasn't cold so we were glad for that.
Lunch was at a Friendship Store (Government run). It specialized in Chinese pottery. Very detailed work and such a time consuming process. We purchased a few things for Olivia and a dragon for Roger. It was still raining.
Next stop - The Great Wall. There are no words that can really do justice to what our eyes saw! It was breath taking! To stand on something that can be seen from outer space is chilling! There were not many people there, I am sure due to the rain. We had a blast! We put Olivia's lock, with her name and birthdate, on the great chain. Then Roger decided he needed to go on up to the second tower! Not me! I was lucky to make it just pass the first tower to the chain! Oh, yeah coming down is harder than going up!
Well tomorrow we leave at 6:15am for the Anhui Province. We will get settled and gather up some paperwork and get some rest for Gotcha Day on Tuesday!
We were able to get an update on Olivia, her daily routine, feeding times, and what she eats. They say that her personality is now extroverted, very bright, independent, strong willed, and always has lots of smiles. She sits well, rolls over, crawls well, and walks by support of holding things. She plays well with other children!
We will know more in just 1 day and a few hours!
Love, Ranata and Roger
