September 5, 2008

I apologize for the "spotty" updates but we are finding internet access and speed of connection difficult. There are few opportunities to work on it.

Today we had a very nice buffet breakfast at our hotel. We took a tour of Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City. These are very important political sites in China, and we enjoyed both very much. We are a bit jet lagged but are trying to get on schedule.

We toured a silk factory and experienced some shopping in Beijing this evening. The shopping is interesting in that you have at least one and often up to 5 employees helping you at all times. You decide (with a lot of help) what you would like to purchase, pay for it, then go back to the department where you found the item and pick it up. This would work very well for me at home, as if I had all this time to think about my purchases, and go back a second time to get them - I might spend a lot less money! I am thankful that we have most, if not all, of the items we need for Jade because I find this type of shopping very stressful. I did purchase her a very cute pair of red leather shoes with an adorable bow on them. I hope they fit! These are not the "squeaky shoes" we plan to look for in Guangzhou.

The people of China are very friendly and helpful to us. Of course, we experience a language barrier, and we are learning a few new words in Chinese each day. The Chinese always look to Megan to "interpret" for them, and they don't understand why she can't speak Chinese.

Megan was very excited tonight to find a pair of jeans that fit! Actually, they were about 4" too long, but in the stores in China, they will take the pants, cut them, hem them, and hand them to you in an hour or less. She is so excited to have a pair of pants that fit and are not too long!

We are all healthy. We are finding the food very tasty in Beijing.

Odd numbered license plates represent cars that can drive every other day - and even numbered on the opposite. This cuts down significantly on pollution and is being implemented for the Olympics - and now for the Paralympics. Many of the buildings are lit in beautiful colors at night, and we are told this will end when the Paralympics end as well.

According to our Guide - The Peoples Republic of China spent over 40 billion dollars updating and improving the City for the Olympic venues. The people consider this a very good thing because not only was it an honor to hold the Olympics in China, but it improved the living conditions of the people in Beijing immensely.

Megan is learning alot about her birth country and culture. She misses her first days of school in 8th grade but is very happy to be here.

Tomorrow we will visit the Great Wall and other attractions. We are enjoying swimming in the hotel pool as well. We couldn't ask for better accomodations, and our agency has been very good to us. Our guides, William and Sunny are excellent, and we enjoy everything they are teaching us.

We are counting down 2 more sleep nights until we meet baby Jade.

Thank you Barbara for covering my office in Slaterville Springs while I am away. I found you some Olympic mascot key chains just as you requested, and I think you will love them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Dillon International Group

 

 

Note to Emily:

Today we visited some historic sites in Beijing. We also visited a shopping area, and here is a photo of what we bought for you. These are the mascots from the Beijing 2008 Olympic games. The names of the characters are Jingjing, Huanhuan, Beibei, Yingying & Nini. I hope you like them! You can hang them on your school back pack.

Love you and miss you!!

-Mom

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