Hello everyone!  We have been in China for about a week and a half now -- and we have had a very busy and exciting time so far!  We arrived safe and sound on August 8th, exactly one year before the summer 2008 Olympics begin (on 08/08/08) and quickly discovered that China is very crowded!    I guess we should have expected that, but it's hard to imagine what 13 million people in one city will feel like.  Well, it definitely feels crowded.  Fortunately, no one is in much of a hurry to get anywhere -- you can't be when there are that many people around -- so life actually seems rather slow-paced here, which is quite nice.  Anyway, we stayed in two hotels and one temporary apartment before moving into our new place that we will rent until we leave in December.  While getting settled in and adjusted to the 13 hour time difference, we decided to jump right in and get bicyles and figure out how to manage the insane traffic in Beijing.  So far, so good, we are happy to report -- but it is quite hectic maneuvering around thousands of cars, trucks, carts, pedestrians, and bicyclists all at once. 

After finally getting unpacked and adjusted, we went out for our first bit of site-seeing over the weekend.  We went to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, as well as the Wanfujing shopping street (they call it New York Street here because of all of its shops, stores and restaurants).  I cannot begin to describe the beauty of the Forbidden City -- the former seat of the Chinese Emperor, which was built over 500 years ago.  You can see the photo album for some of the pictures, but they sure don't do the place justice.  You will all have to come over and see it for yourselves!  It really is something to see!

Probably the most interesting experience we have had since being in China is the attention that Hannah gets from all the Chinese people we encounter.  I guess they don't see western children very often over here -- they are getting somewhat used to seeing western adults -- because everyone is absolutely mesmerized by her.  Yesterday at the Forbidden City we had at least 4 people come up and ask if they could take a photo with Hannah.  It was like hanging out with a rockstar!  But, I think she is getting quite tired of the stares and fascination.  We both think it's pretty funny though. 

As for food, we have found some really great Chinese restaurants, but not everything has been tasty.  The Chinese do eat some really strange things -- like chicken feet, pigs knuckles, and jelly fish!  Yuck!  We are sticking mainly to the stuff we find appetizing, but we have experimented a little.  We had some boiled peanuts and seaweed last night!  The peanuts were okay, but the seaweed was, well, fishy to say the least.  Fortunately, we do have a Pizza Hut nearby, and we have to admit that we have visited a couple of times.  The pizza is pretty good!  And the Chinese seem to love it because it is always packed!

As for upcoming adventures, we will try to figure out the Chinese subway system this week.  We will also visit Hannah's school for a tour.  She doesn't start school for a couple more weeks, so we have a little more time to look around and get comfortable.  We will report on these things soon.