November
2009
    November 15
     Zoe, Beth and Shari will visit the Forbidden
    City
Nov 15, 6:30  (China time)

I am quite aware that many of you open this blog and hope for many pictures.  Today ...
there are none from my camera.  Long story short - I have a whole pack of new Energizer
batteries and NONE of them worked.  I will have to buy more but haven't found them yet.  
Shari took a LOT of really amazing pictures but we haven't figured out how to upload her
camera to my laptop ... so check back for pictures.  

OK ... today.  Checked out of the hotel and drove to the Bird's nest and water cube.  If you
saw the Olympics in Beijing in 2008, you would have seen the Bird's nest - the main
stadium for the opening ceremonies, track, etc.  The water cube is the one for swimming
(think Michael Phelps).  It was tooooo cold to get out so we took pictures from the car.  
Only Shari was brave enough to get out in the cold ... risk hypothermia for the sake of the
picture.

Then off to the hutong village.  We didn't spend a lot of time there because it was just
TOOOO cold.  I thought I was just a wimp when it comes to cold but Shari is from Denver
and thought it was cold too.  

Then off to the Forbidden City.  Did I mention it was cold?  It's quite the hike across the
Forbidden city into Tian'anamen Square.  Zoe was once again a trooper!  Never
complained once about the walk or the cold or anything.  It's such an amazing place.  I'm
still struck (my 3rd time there) at how all this extravagence for just one man.  Makes our
White House look down right like a shack.  

After this, it was off to the local market to look for some tea.  They let us taste about 5
kinds of tea.  Nice and hot.  They also served us pumpkin seeds that were still in the
shell.  Zoe went to town on those.  Such a patient little thing.

Then through the market where I was able to buy some mittens for Zoe and some gloves
for me.  I accidentally brought Kaley's gloves and not Zoe's so they were too big and
somehow my lined leather gloves have fallen out.  By the end of the day, my hands felt
sore they were so cold.  So now I'm thankful for some gloves!  

Then we drove out to New Day foster home.  (About an hour out of Beijing.)  We've already
been greeted warmly, had some dinner cooked right in front of our eyes and settled into
our new location.  We're looking forward to seeing the babies tomorrow.  

Andrea, I have to tell you - I saw Annie already.  When we got here, there was no one to
greet us in the house so we went to the home for the babies to find someone to help us.   
Remember last time Addison greeted us at the door?  This time, it was Annie.  She was
immediately swept up and put into a room but there is that glass door and she went to
that to see me.  She was throwing balls at me as I would clap for her and then she'd
laugh.  Eventually a whole bunch of little kids joined her.  I was playing with them through
the glass window as we waited to find out where to go.  I got to hear her laugh and it's the
sweetest thing!  I hope my camera is up and running very soon so I can get a quick video
of her.  Gotta hear that laugh!  

Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.
Beth will also be
blogging at
destinyshousechurch
.blogspot.com


    Thanks for joining us on this
    journey!  Should prove to be
    an interesting one.  
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the itinerary
page,
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