It took us a while. Our 3 hour layover in Chicago ended up being 10 hours. But after spending the day at the airport we were able to get on the plane at 8pm (we left home at 3:30 am). The picture of the haz. mat team happened after we were boarded. We had a jet fuel spill! So we finally got started on the 12 hour flight after an hour on the plane waiting for the cleanup! We arrived at our hotel in Beijing at 1am. Chris wanted me to make sure you heard his highlight of the trip: two airplane meals and one snack.
Today (Saturday) we got to see Tianamen Square. The picture in front of the Olympic Countdown Clock is of us standing in the Square.
We also toured the Forbidden City (picture of us with the lion).
The afternoon was spent on a Hutong tour in the old neighborhood of Beijing. These homes are courtyard-based and high in community living (including a shared squatty potty). A woman who had lived there for 45 years cooked us a sampler lunch in her home! What a rare opportunity that was! The picture of us eating is part of our travel group. We are in her living room. The other table was in her bedroom area. The entire house was the size of our living room back home. And she and her husband raised three children there! We traveled there by rickshaw and that picture was taken by our driver.
I didn't even make it through one day before I got to experience my first squatty potty! But it was a "Three Star" and is said to be much cleaner than the usuals.
Tomorrow we are to tour the Great Wall, a jade factory (jade bracelets are passed down from mother in law to daughter in law), and the Ming tomb. Monday we fly to Nanjing and meet Josie on Tuesday. We have limited access to the internet here in Beijing. (I am using a travel-mate's laptop right now!) So I may not be able to update you until after we are in Nanjing.
Prayer: For a good night's sleep. We are going on about 3-4 hours' sleep for the last three nights! For adjustment to the 13 hour time difference. For health as we are going on limited sleep and we are being pushed during the day with tours so we will stay awake during the day!
Chloe and Michael, we love you and miss you! Thanks for calling us!
