Day Three Adventure

Well today was another EXCITING day. We started the morning with a delicious breakfast and then we headed over to what looked like rickshaw alley. There must have been 50 rickshaws lined up and ready to go. We climbed aboard (as you can see in the first picture) and then our eight rickshaws caravanned down through Hutong lane. This was like stepping back in time. It was one of my most favorite parts of the trip. Everyone coming to Beijing should do this. We careened around corners and down alleys and got glimpses into the everyday life of the Chinese people. The streets were close, children were being pulled in wagons hooked onto the backs of bicycles, people were sweeping with brooms made from straw tied together by hand and there were little holes in the walls that were markets with fresh produce for sale. Many old people gathered in groups to play cards or dominoes. We stopped and had tea with a local family. They were very impressed when Anna Kayla spoke with them in Chinese. I wish she didn’t have to leave on Friday we need her for the whole trip. Her recognition of the Chinese characters and parts of the language has been very helpful. In the second picture you can see the common courtyard area that was shared by four families. It’s so hard to believe that people really live like this. Everything about their lifestyle is so basic and simple. I was sad when our rickshaw rounded the last corner ad we had to leave Hutong lane behind. I know that the things that I saw will stay with me forever.
When we boarded the bus, Mark our guide said we had the choice of going to a jade factory or a pearl factory. We all decided to go see how jade was carved. I was especially happy about this since Clara Beth’s Chinese name means a virtuous person, beautiful like jade. While there Anna Kayla and I found two beautiful jade bracelets that you can see in picture three. Mine will be given to Clara Beth on her sixteenth birthday. I also bought her a little dog carved from jade since she was born in the year of the dog. Paul has been so good about standing behind me and figuring out the exchange rate (my friends that know I am math impaired understand my need for this very well) and kindly reaching into his wallet and paying with a smile.
After jade shopping and another traditional lunch (by the way I want everyone to know that I have eaten with chopsticks every meal, and I am quite good at it.) we were off to the Great Wall where yet another adventure with a squatty potty began. I am getting quite good at that also. Just ask Nancy next time you see her. Then we began the trek up the wall. Did I mention that at times there was such an incline I do believe that my toes touched my forehead. But we pressed onward and upward. We would have made it to the top if it had not been for that wrong turn we took somewhere along the way. In picture four you can see the fearless foursome some where during our climb. We had plenty of opportunities to stop and rest during the many photo ops that Land and Anna Kayla had. Chinese people of all ages would grab them and giggle and ask for pictures. Land truly felt like the celebrity after about 20 different poses with people. Then lo’ and behold they started grabbing me. One lady nearly squeezed my arm off turning me around throwing her arm around me for pictures. Poor movie stars, I know exactly how they feel now. They grabbed Paul for pictures too. Picture five is just one shot of Land, the American movie star, with some of his adoring fans. Well I better run now, I’m off to bed, we have a 4:00 wake up call and we fly to Changsha then just ONE more day until we hold Clara Beth. We can hardly wait. Pray for safe travel.

To my friends at school I know you are soooooooo excited to be back after spring break. I miss you all. Tell my class I miss them too. Until next time………Robin