Beijing Day 2

Greetings from Beijing. Day 2 went off without a hitch and now we are back at the hotel resting after a long day of sightseeing. Today started somewhat slowing due to very little sleep and some mild jet lag. After 4 hours of tossing and turning on only a box spring (no mattress), Terri and I got up around 5am Beijing time to start our day. After sending out some emails to friends, I decided to keep fit by doing some pushups followed by an early morning run. After getting ready, we headed downstairs for an outstanding breakfast buffet here at our hotel (Days Hotel and Suites). Our travel group met in the lobby at 8:30 am and we headed out for the day. We learned in great detail from our guide and Bethany employee, Joy, about the Chinese culture and beautiful scenery around the Beijing area. Our first stop was the cloisonné factory for a tour. Real Chinese cloisonné is a painstakingly process of molding copper by hand, followed by painting and firing into an unbelievable piece of art. From there, we headed to the Great wall. There is not much to say about the great wall that the name doesn’t already say—it is great indeed. Once we arrived at the wall in our private bus, we bought tickets and hopped into a gondola at Baldaling. After a scary ride, our journey through the masses of people began. Going up and down this massive architectural structure, reminded me of the swim start of the Ironman Triathlon. Don’t come to the Great Wall if you are afraid of heights or hate getting pounded like a running back running through a defensive line. I can only imagine what the workers must have thought the first time they were told they were going to build this wall. It is such an amazing and wondrous structure. We left the wall after 1 ½ of climbing so we could get a glimpse of the 2008 Olympic village. We were able to visit the cube were Michael Phelps won eight gold medals and the National Stadium were the track and field events were held as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. The day ended with us going back to the hotel for an adoption briefing by Shiyan., another Bethany employee. We have so much to be thankful for and look forward to our “gotcha day”. Tonight we are going to hang out, swim, and read. Tomorrow we head to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen square, before getting a rickshaw ride and evening at the world famous Chinese acrobat show. God is great, loving, mysterious, and powerful. We are thankful for this opportunity.

Brett