More Fun on Day 2 in Beijing

We are wrapping up another full day here in Beijing. We had a MUCH better night last night, getting about 5 or 6 hours' sleep before our bodyclocks would not let us slumber any longer. Hopefully tonight will be even better!

Was a much more pleasant (warmer) day, which is great since we spent a good chunk of it climbing the Great Wall! It has been so many years since I was last here, and I always said I wanted to bring my family to the Great Wall. TOday was the day! On the drive to the wall, we stopped at a jade factory (i.e. shopping opportunity), and got matching pairs of earrings for Anna and Lilly. We had about 2 hours to spend `climbing the wall at our own pace. Anna overcame her initial fear of the heights we were climbing, and we hiked a good chunk of the stretch thatis open to the public. Jred and Tom hiked the whole thing. The weather was gorgeous and it felt good to get some exercise!

After the Wall, we drove to a cloisonne factory, which was also our lunch stop. On the way back to the hotel,.we stopped for a photo op near the Olympic Birds' Nest Stadium and the Water Cube.

Dinner was on our own tonight--we ventured out of the hotel and had a pretty nice dinner. I am hoping we will soon find a good dumpling stand!

Our suitcases are once again packed as we leave Beijing tomorrow and will fly to Henan Province, where Lilly and the other children being adopted by our travel group's families are. Less than 48 hours and we'll haveher1

I have to say that as much fun as all this sightseeing has been, it feels surreal to be doing the tourist thing just days before our family gains a new member!

I will post some photos tomorrow from the Great Wall...too tired to do it to night! So sorry for many typos in these posts...jet lag mixed with the tiniest keyboard ever make for interesting typing!