Last Posting!

Last night we had a farewell dinner with Nelson and his family. His son, Tom, is now 13 years old and is much taller that we last saw him. Nelson would like him to get a master’s degree from a college in the United States. For dinner we had hot pot in where they bring a boiling pot to your table and you drop food in it to cook your meat and vegetables. One side was spicy and one wasn’t. We ate noodles, lamb, potatoes and rice. After the good dinner we went to Nelson’s condo for a few minutes then headed back to our hotel for the final night. His family also gave Peiton a gift of a scarf.

We have to say it was a excellent trip but will be glad to get home to fresh air and less traffic.

Jim and Peiton

Last Day in China

For our last full day we had Nelson take us to the Summer Palace. We walked to the top of the palace this time. It was like what we saw on the travel channel. It is a beautiful park with a large man-made lake where the emperor and family would spend time during the Summer.

Tonight we are going to a hot pot to eat with Nelson’s family. Tomorrow we head to the airport after we check out for the long flights back home. The trip has been way better than what we ever hoped for.

Jim and Peiton

Back in Beijing

Tuesday morning we toured the Xian city wall which surrounds the old part of the city. After that we toured a temple then headed to the airport. The plane was delayed an hour due to fog (third time this trip so far). Once in Beijing we have been taking it easy so far. Our friend, Nelson, picked us up at the airport and took us to our hotel. Yesterday we spent the day shopping and bargaining for some gifts. Many of the items you can get for 10-20% of the original price quoted. Last night we walked the shopping street of Wanfujing then ate Pizza Hut. We ran into one of the families in our group while we were eating.

This morning we are heading to the Summer Palace, then we will rest in the afternoon. Finally, we will have dinner with Nelson’s family tonight. Enjoy the pictures.

Jim and Peiton

*We included a photo of a church in Beijing and us sitting in a Christmas holiday setting. Even Beijing can get into the Christmas spirit.

Xi'an

We made it into Xian around 11:30. At the Airport we met an American family originally from New York but now living in Chengdu. They have a 10 year biological boy and a 5 year Chinese daughter. They took a one year sabbatical to live in China to study the language. They had a few days off from school so taking a trip to Xian.

Xian is home of the first emperor who united the warring states of China. Xian was also the capital of China for hundreds of years until the 1400’s when another emperor moved the capital to Beijing and built the forbidden city. The people of Xian would like to move the capital but to Xian J.

We first went to a factory where they make and repair the terracotta soldiers, we bought a couple of smaller ones. The full size ones were a little too expensive. After the stop we went to lunch and then to the museum. There are 3 pits at the museum, the first is the largest and has most of the soldiers. They have found 7000 soldiers (or pieces of) so far. These were made to protect the emperor in the afterlife. The soldiers are 2200 years old and was first discovered in 1976 by a farmer digging a well. I asked if that farmer was paid for the discovery but it was government owned land. The farmer does work at the front of pit 1 signing autographs if you buy a book and postcards, so we did. The sites were just amazing. When the soldiers for first unearthed they had colors since they were originally painted. Once they were exposed the color all faded away fairly quickly.

It was about a 2 hour drive back to our hotel because of rush hour traffic. In every city they drive crazy and the yellow lines mean nothing to them. Our hotel is right across from the bell tower and just down the street from the drum tower. The picture of the bell tower is from our room window, just beautiful. We went to McDonalds for dinner and then walked some of the markets. The markets started at the drum tower and went on for several blocks. At the market we had some chops made (stamps with names carved on them), there is also a picture of that.

We do a city tour this morning then fly back to Beijing after lunch today. It is 7:00am here and letting Peiton sleep in for another hour today.

Jim

Shoes

Peiton is wanting everyone to see her new shoes that she was given!

Pandas!!!! in Chengdu

We got in Chengdu about 10:30 this morning. We first went to have an early lunch, there was a wedding ceremony going at the restaurant while we are there. Very common at nice restaurants on the weekends. After that we went straight to the Panda Breeding Center. They have about 50 pandas there and we were able to see them upclose in the nursery at two weeks old, 2 months old and 4 months old. We weren’t allowed to take pictures in the nursery. Peiton was able to hold (sit next to) a 1 ½ year old and she was very excited. They wouldn’t let me in the room, but took my camera and took several pictures for us. Tonight we are going to walk down to Pizza Hut. We have been craving that for a week.

Jim

The panda center was a big place, we did lots of walking. I had to wear medical scrubs to protect the pandas from germs. We went to the lake and fed fish and swans. We watched a movie on pandas. Then I got to sit by a panda. The panda was soft. He was eating an apple. I wasn’t scared, but he was bigger than me. It was cool and I am happy I got to do it. Daddy was nervous since he couldn’t be in the room with me. I know you are going to be jealous Chas!

Peiton

Last Day with Group in Wuhan

Yesterday we visited the Yellow Crane Tower. It was also the first day it rained while in China. After lunch we went shopping at Walmart and a large mall. We saw some new flavors of Pringles that we took a picture of for everyone: Seaweed and Crab. We can’t find those back home.

The orphanage director drove over from Huanggang last night during our dinner (a 2 hour drive) to give us a copy of the local paper we were in and two DVDs. One was a bunch of footage from the orphanage and the other was a news clip that was aired on CCTV. Last night we were also on CCTV news, there was at least a 5 minute segment that featured our group on our tour. Peiton and I are in it several times, and to think this broadcasted over all of China as well as cable around the world. The treatment of our families has been just remarkable. It was a real big event to for China to have their girls come back and visit, they really made a great impression.

Today the group splits up. Most are going directly home after going back through Beijing, some are going to Hong Kong and another to Shanghai. We will be heading to Chengdu to see the pandas.

Jim and Peiton