Last Day In Beijing

Waking up this morning I am beyond giddy to meet Liam.  Trying to manage my emotions is more like it.  We meet him tomorrow and I keep dreaming about our Gotcha Day.  We are trying to soak in Beijing and enjoy every moment of it.  I can't imagine coming all the way to China and having to adjust to the time difference the day before meeting your baby.  We are so grateful to have had this time to see Beijing, but to also get our bodies, minds and hearts right before our big Gotcha Day. With that said, today was pretty freaking amazing.  We spent the morning visiting the city of Beijing.  Off the cuff, a couple of thoughts…..

1.       There is no such thing as personal space in China

2.       SO. MANY. PEOPLE. (but our guide showed us pictures that proved we are very lucky to be avoiding the normal crowds due to time of year)

3.       Beijing is beautiful and its people are very proud of their heritage

4.       Beijing/China has a very dark past that is not talked/taught about

5.       GOOD food can be found

6.       Liam’s birth year (2013) is the year of the snake, also called “Little Dragon”  Ken’s birth year is the year of the dragon… Dragon/Little Dragon?  We need to confirm this but it sure seems cool!

7.       Chinese massage IS NOT like a western massage

8.       The subway system should be well understood before attempting on your own

9.       Chinese acrobat shows are way cooler than Western – they can get away with a lot more

10.   It doesn't snow often here but it’s incredibly beautiful when it does (we witnessed)

11.   When singers sing, they sing in an American accent I.E Elton John & Dolly Parton.  Its hilarious. 

12.   Asians yell at each other in regular conversation.  They are not angry but it’s scary from our end.

We started our day visiting Tienanmen Square.   It’s a gorgeous square with lots of people in the heart of Beijing.  There are many monuments, statues and a large building (everything in Beijing is large) housing Mao Tse Tung’s tomb.  He was much loved in this city and people pay homage to him.  When we asked Heidi about the famous stories of over 700 students being killed in Tienanmen Square in 1989 she said the government has never allowed its people to learn about those times.  It is now just starting to come out as China is becoming a more progressive country.  On the front page of the paper Friday a famous photographer just published black and white photos of the protests in 1989.  He writes that he may get put in jail but if he doesn't publish them who will?  It’s incredible to think of our freedoms in  America and how much we take for granted. 

Entering into the Forbidden City is another “take your breath away” moment.  The size of the city is like nothing I could have imagined.  The Forbidden City was built during the Chang Dynasty for the emperor.  It has 5 gates to keep the emperor protected and once inside the gates all business would take place in the perimeter buildings.  The center of the city housed a gorgeous room for the emperor’s coronation, his living quarters and a place for his concubines.  A gorgeous garden stands in the city for play.  History shows that an emperor could have up to 80 or so concubines!

Check out that wingspan LA! 

For lunch, Heidi took us to a dumpling restaurant that hit the spot.  Ken has been very adventurous with the cuisine whereas I, not so much.  So this restaurant was a very welcomed meal.  I love the vegetable dumplings, rice and veggies, tea and beer. 

After lunch we visited the Hutong District.  This area is just outside the Forbidden City and is now protected by the government.  It’s considered the old district.  Homes are very small and share restrooms/showers with their neighbors.  You must pay for a shower; therefore, many only shower twice a week.  We tasted tea in the Hutong District and purchased some for “better sleeping and digestion”. 

This afternoon we met some new friends at the acrobat show.  Actually they are Clemson fans from Orlando and the wife knew Ken’s cousin, Susan Brown.  (Kimberly (Clark) & Zack Fulmer).  They are here adopting their little girl.  What a small world!! 

It is Sunday morning here …… we fly to Nanjing, the capital of Liams province, Jiangsu.  We are very fond of Beijing, but are SO ready for our little man.  One more night Liam!