Today, we toured the Forbidden City. What you can see on TV is only a fraction of the magnitude of this city. There are dozens of palaces, temples, and other buildings within the city's walls. It is so massive that there are actually over 8,000 rooms within the compound. We walked for hours and only got a fleeting glimpse of the amazing architecture. You have to see it in person to truly appreciate the intricate, hand carved adornments on every building in the city. It is amazing.
Speaking of amazing, after eating lunch at a local restaurant we ventured past the Olympic venues known as "The Birds Nest" and "The Water Cube" to the Great Wall. More than just a name for thousands of Chinese restaurants in America, the Great Wall is one of the most incredible creations in human history. We climbed to the top of a mountain on the wall and got some great pictures along the way. We are pretty sure that we won't need any more exercise for the rest of the trip.
Several times during the day, I found myself saying, "I never thought I would be climbing the Great Wall of China" or "We're in China." Some of the other couples we are travelling with shared the same sentiment. It is important to remember that until 1978, China was not open to Westerners. And until 15 years ago, China did not allow international adoptions. So while we are not the first Americans to visit China and adopt a child there, it still feels quite special.
Tomorrow we will fly to Nanning city in Guangxi Province. Bordering Vietnam in the south, the weather is forcast to be in the 80s all week. (We think we packed too many cold-weather clothes, but who knows.) Then on Monday, November 3, we will meet our son. WOW! Stay tuned...
2 comments:
Hi Aunt Bethy & Uncle Trav,
Glad you made it to China safely. We are having fun with Alex. We played on the trampoline and went to the train restaraunt tonight. Alex got a bionical. I can't wait to me my new cousin he looks so cute in the pictures.
Love Olivia
Awesome pictures!
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