Our Trip                                                      

November 24, 2001 - Day Seven: Tourism

click HERE for Day Seven Photos

Questions for Ms. Foster's Classroom: Silk is one type of fabric. How is it
made? What are other types of fabric? What is one type of fabric that is made
from a plant that grows in the southern United States, and one fabric that is
made from a farm animal?

Paige’s Comments:

The air pollution that I wrote about yesterday is but a faint memory as a cold
front blew through Beijing, and us and the 15 million residents of this city got
to see blue sky for the first time since, well, since we’ve been here. The cloud
of smog that has been choking us for three days was blown away, and somewhere,
downwide of Beijing, there are peasants coughing up lungs. Just like we did
after going biking yesterday afternoon. I was hacking like a three-pack-a-day
smoker and only a digital photo could properly capture the essence of what was
coming up. But this is a family website so I’ll spare you.

In less then 48 hours we’ll be parents and today we hung out with the 16 other
soon-to-be mom’s and dad’s that arrived last night from Chicago. American China
Adoption Association Group 64 is finally complete. Have met some VERY cool
folks. From all over the country. One of the guys works at an agency in Memphis
and knows many of the same people I consult at Flinn Broadcasting in that
market. Another couple, Kelly and Suzanne are from Gaithersburg, Maryland, and
he and I are equally odd. And I mean that in a positive way. So we had some fun
tormenting the rest of the group.

In these final hours of DINK-dom, we set out for the first of two days of heavy
duty-down in the trenches, touring. One of the things that I guess I didn’t
expect, is that Beijing is a big tourist destination. I was stunned at first to
see American families here, on vacation. But they are. Which is pretty cool.

This morning we started out at Tianamen Square and then hopped across the street
to the Forbidden City. I’m more of a bumperboat and waterpark guy, but this was
actually very interesting. We met in the lobby at 8:30 am and boarded a bus for
a full day on the town. There’s 46 of us. Some people have brought their other
children to meet the “new additions” and some couples are traveling with their
parents. No pun intended, but this, the final stage of adoption, is a real
family affair.

Our local guide Sheri, made a strong point of not taking photos of “strange
people” we may encounter in Tianamen Square. Historically this massive public
square, adjacent to Mao’s tomb, has been a place for people to gather and
protest. And the police and military are not too keen on this being documented.
She repeated the warning three times. Sternly. Do NOT take photos of “strange
people”, ie: protesters. There were several thousand people and tourists in the
square and twice, big police vans zipped in and stopped at various groups. We
didn’t get too close and heeded her warning. On a previous tour headed by Sheri,
another adoption group had someone who tried to sneak a photo…and they all got
hauled down to the police station to be chewed out.

After the Forbidden City, we hit lunch as a group, which gave a chance to spend
some time meeting the other couples one-on-one. After that we went to the
Yunglang Silk Store, which is the biggest silk store in the world. Let me be
absolutely clear about something: I hate shopping. I’m not cheap. Or dislike new
clothes. I’m simply a guy. A guy who hates milling through aisles when I could
be outside doing something, well, fun. But you know what? This was actually kind
of cool. We stocked up on some COOL clothes and stuff for Sophia. Things that
will be culturally-connecting for her. Feeling very paternal as I whipped out
the Mastercard.

One of the things that all of the previous adopters have said in their internet
posts is that the shopping is amazing. Insane prices on pearls and jade and silk
and art work. And I’m beginning to catch the fever. Now if I could just find a
store that sold neon Tsingtao Beer lights. Well then, I’d be one happy and
content comrade…

Tomorrow: the final day before we fly to Nanjing and finally DO THIS. But first,
the Great Wall (or Great Walmart as some people sarcastically refer to this
place that is crawling with people hawking cards, shirts and mementos.)

Ann’s Comments:

Had a nice breakfast before heading to the lobby to meet the rest of the couples
who are adopting. There are some really nice couples in the group…and we
haven’t even met half the group yet.

Today we went to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, had lunch at a Chinese
restaurant in a park across from Tiananmen Square, and then went to a silk
store.

Tiananmen is the heart of Beijing as our guide told us. The gate to Tiananmen
was built in the 15th Century and was used in the imperial days as place from
which to speak to the people. The first thing that really stands out about the
entrance is a huge portrait of Mao. No matter what area we were in, the Chinese
people were posed so their picture could be taken under it.

We had time to walk around an area that had a Monument to the People’s Heroes,
Mao’s Mausoleum, and the Great Hall of the People. Then we went into the
Forbidden City which is the largest cluster of ancient buildings in China. It
was home to two dynasties – the Ming and Qing.

The layout of the city was established between 1406 and 1420. Most of the
buildings, however, are from the 18th century since the buildings kept going up
in flames. There’s a moat around the city that was used for fire fighting.

I was amazed at the size of the city and the number of buildings. It seemed
like it just kept going on and on. There are 999.5 rooms at the city…if that
gives a better idea about the size.

We ate lunch in a park next to manmade lake that was lined with willow trees.
The waitresses kept bringing us food. It was really good. There was more than
enough for meat-eaters…and enough for me to choose from.

After lunch we went to a silk store. There are four floors, with one being
totally devoted to the best silk. The others, we were told by our guide, had
inferior silk and overpriced jade and pearls. She told us to focus on the 3rd
floor. And we did. Perhaps too much. I kept finding little dresses for Sophia
– a red one and a purple one for her first year; and then another red one and a
deep blue one for when she was older. I wanted to buy a few more for her
later-elementary school years, but we are overpacked as it is. At our last stop
before we head home, I think we’ll purchase more outfits – so she has one for
each year of her childhood years.

Also bought these cute red shoes that have hand-embroidered dragons on both
shoes. Even the soles of the shoes are embroidered. We also purchased a little
yellow/gold hat for her that she can wear right away.

Then we went to the raw material section. There were rolls and rolls of all
types of silk – heavy, medium, and light and a variety of colors. I chose a
plain white for hand-dying at D’Arcy’s recommendation before we left; and then a
variety of different silks for Sophia to play with (maybe when she’s a bit
older). There were so many patterns…I ended up choosing more of the purples,
blues, and greens. Hope she likes those colors.

Took a taxi back to the hotel and ended up falling asleep for about 3 hours.
Woke up and watched a movie and am trying to deal with an intense headache.
Already took two tylenols and it’s not helping at all. Not sure if it’s lack of
sleep or the pollution.

Tomorrow it’s the Great Wall and the Summer Palace. Monday we’re headed off in
the morning to Nanjing to meet Sophia. It seems like we’ve been gone forever,
yet the time has come quickly to meet her.

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