Since there's never much time to actually get on the computer, and I can't actually see the blog, I sometimes forget what I've said or the pics I've sent. The last couple of nights I have fallen asleep when Isaac went to bed and I may have been asleep before him...at least he gets a nap in the middle of day. The first four nights we were here in Beijing, he has cried when we put him in his crib, but tonight (Wednesday) he was great and just curled up and went to sleep right away.
He is quite the handful and it is not easy trying to feed him and Ella at breakfast...oh, yeah, and to feed ourselves as well. He is a good eater, but also very picky. This hotel does not have the same great selection as the Dolton in Changsha. Also, once he's done, he now plays a game of saying he has to pee just to get away from the table. We brought pull ups with us, but we haven't used them and we haven't had any accidents...yet! He had a couple in his bed when he didn't get up in time, but otherwise, he has been great. I think he has peed at least four times on the streets of Beijing. Ella...three times. It's no longer a big deal! Actually, Ella is very good at getting her own breakfast at the buffet. She loves getting juice for everyone.

After our day at the Temple of Heaven (Monday) we went out for our Peking Duck dinner. The food was really great. We walked there from our hotel. On the way back, we discovered the hotel we had stayed in that last time we were here. After the restaurant, we went to a supermarket next door. Neil recognized the place and thought it was the same place we had visited in 2005. On the way back, we passed the Chang An Hotel where we stayed in 2005. Ella and I ran in to check it out and sure enough...the seal was still there. It's definitely a nicer hotel than the one we're in now. (This one is O.K....just not the level of service as the other one).

We asked our guide about the 'dirt market', Ted. We went there today. (Ted had told us about the 'dirt market' close to our old hotel, but since we were in a different hotel, we never thought about it again. We really had no clue where we were or that we were so close to the Chang An until Neil saw the supermarket).

As I mentioned in the last post, we went to the summer palace in the morning. We decided to go to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in the afternoon (and then the Hutongs....a very ambitious guide). However, our guide and the driver had to go back to their office for a special lunch (spring festival celebrations). We were O.K. to have the little break. Then we headed out around 2:30. However, the square was being shut down by the police and the army in preparation for the big celebrations tomorrow. As well, the forbidden city was closed.....had been for a few days. We walked around the outside of the square and saw many foreigners. We attracted a bit of attention from a group of Chinese...asking about the children. They also had children with them.

The 56 pillars on the square represent the 56 ethnic Chinese groups.

The police were very strict and ushered us away. We then went to the Hutongs for a ride in a rickshaw. It was the same spot we had gone to in 2005, but we went to a different house. Most people who live there are poor....it's a kind of subsidized housing for those renting from the government. However, to buy a full quarter house there, it would cost about a million yuan or more. After the rides, we walked to a shopping district just behind the Hutongs. It was very beautiful and would be nice to visit at another time - we just walked through it as were all getting hungry and tired. Many foreigners shopping there.

We got up early this morning and went to the silk market. It was open until 2 pm. I think Lisa could have stayed longer, but we left the market at 11 am (our driver waited for us). We've decided that the silk market is much better in terms of nicer people...not as aggressive...as the Pearl market. I'm sure mom will have many stories to tell about her shopping experience at the markets. The city is shutting down tomorrow for about three hours, so we'll sleep in...finally...and watch the celebrations on TV like most Beijingers will be doing. The airport will be closed during the parade, but we are hopeful that our flight will be on time. Everyone's ready to go home now. Just not looking forward to the long flight...this time with TWO kids!!!! Yikes!

Beijing

Our time in Beijing is nearing the end. It hasn't been that long, but sometimes it feels like an eternity. Even though we have enjoyed the sights, we all feel that we enjoyed Changsha more. It was a smaller city and we seemed to have more leisure time. As well, we really enjoyed the neighbourhood around the hotel. We haven't seen the sun much here, either; however, it is still hot and humid. I can't imagine what it's like in the summer.

On Tuesday, we visited the summer palace. It was restored in the 1700's and is quite the summer home....we could just imagine the family packing up and heading to the cottage for the summer!!! As you can see, it was an overcast day when we visited, but it seemed to add to the atmosphere of the place and the lake. We took a nice, but short boat ride across the lake. It's about an hour outside Beijing and is another popular spot for musicians. It is not free for seniors, though (as is the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City) since it is outside the city.

We headed back to the hotel for a rest...Lan Lan (Isaac's nickname) fell asleep on the ride back and slept for about an hour more in the hotel room. He really is a great traveller and I may have said this before (but I can't actually see the bog to check) but he absolutely loves the stroller. He watches the driver put it in the van and rushes to get out of the van to get back in it. He also loves driving in the van and looking out the window. The last two days were not as exciting anymore (in the van) and he got a bit restless, but was still very good. He always wants me to sit next to him...or rather, he on my lap. Of course, I may have forgotten to mention, but you can see from the photo of him asleep, that there are no seat belts and no child seats in cars here. We'll see what happens when we get home.

Enjoy the pics.

The Temple of Heaven

Well, we all made it to the top of the Great Wall....even mom. I really thought we'd turn back at the second or third rest spots, but we all kept going. Of course, Neil and I had to take turns carrying Isaac, but it really wasn't that bad. Ella did it all by herself. Our guide also went to the top. This was not the same spot we had visited in 2005. I believe there are three main tourists sections of the Great Wall. I could not remember the name of the place we visited in 2005, nor could the other family, but we all said it didn't matter. As it turned out, it was a new spot for all of us. It was a really nice day, not too sunny or hot. It was a little cool when we first started out, but the kids had to shed their layers as we climbed higher. Did you notice the Downhome magazine in Mom's hand? Did you also notice the flag was backward? That's the Newfoundland flag for those of you wondering. The other good thing is that it really wasn't that crowded.....most likely because of the upcoming national holiday.

October 1st is China's national day. This year is special as it is the 60th anniversary of the founding of the new government - The People's Republic of China. We are a bit worried about this day as it is the day we are supposed to fly home. However, we have heard that the airport will be closed that day until noon. Then we heard that it will be closed until 5!!!! I think our flight is around 4 pm. The holiday is actually about eight days long, so there are a lot of people travelling and travel into Beijing is being restricted. Our itinerary has been busy here because we cannot do anything on Wednesday and Thursday due to the big celebration on Thursday. All streets around Tiananmen Square will be closed. We are going to Tiananmen Square this afternoon. We heard that it has been decorated for the festivities. We've seen some of the preparations on TV...it looks fabulous. The city is decorated as well with giant topiary sculptures and lanterns all over the place. It's quite beautiful but not always easy to photograph from a moving van weaving in and out of traffic. I think we're getting used to it now. He who hesitates on the streets of Beijing, will never get across the road, into the next lane, out of a driveway.....just take your chances.

After the Great Wall, we went to the Jade Factory - again a different one than the one we visited in 2005. We had a very nice lunch there and bought a couple of souvenirs. We got back around 5 pm and met with the tailor for dresses and suits. Lisa got a dress, mom got a jacket, and Neil got a suit and two shirts. We were all pretty tired and just had instant noodles for dinner and then lights out for everyone.

Up early again Monday morning. Neil went to the embassy to apply for Isaac's citizenship. Around 10 am, we headed out to the Temple of Heaven. Mom, Lisa and Ella left in the first cab, The other family left second and Neil, I, Isaac and the guide left in the last cab. Lisa's cab arrived first...costing 19 RMB, we arrived second for 18 RMB and the other family arrived much later for 17 RMB. As you can see, it's a very beautiful spot. Ella is standing on a spot where you need to close your eyes and say something out loud...a wish of some sort. You are supposed to hear your voice. The Temple of Heaven is the largest city park in the world. It is a really beautiful place where many seniors hang out.....see the musicians and singers. All Beijing seniors can enter the Temple of Heaven, museums, Forbidden City, etc for free, so the Temple of Heaven is a popular place for them to meet and play cards, music, etc.

It was a very nice day...very hot. Everyone felt great, even though they had climbed all those steps the day before.

The Great Wall

Well, we're on a very tight schedule here in Beijing because of the National Day celebrations and the big 60th anniversary. We made it to the Great wall and all the kids are doing really well...especially when they find some water to play in. How about peeing on the side of the road in Beijing....when you got to go...you've got to go. Enjoy the pics....