Saturday, December 13, 2008
Today was another cold and wonderful day. We began our morning
at breakfast where we met many more of our travel mates that
arrived yesterday while we were out touring. Everyone is so
friendly, and I feel our group is already forming a special
bond.
After breakfast, we went upstairs to bundle up for the
adventures that lay ahead. Rob went downstairs early to exchange
some money for the day. Zoe and I headed down a little bit
later. When I entered the lobby, I recognized our coordinator,
Elsie, right away. She was our coordinator when we adopted Zoe
and we were actually part of her very first adoption group. I
went to introduce myself but before I could do so she said,
“Hello Susan. I remember you. And Zoe … she is so big now.”
Unbelievable, especially when you consider I wore glasses and
had hair halfway down my back the last time she saw me! She is
such a great lady!
After talking briefly with Elsie, we gathered with the rest of
the families in our group in the lobby. There was a little five
year old girl names Lili that took to Zoe immediately. For the
rest of the day they were two peas in a pod. They sat together
on the bus, they chattered back and forth, and they giggled
endlessly. Lili made today all the more fun for Zoe, and I’m so
glad the girls liked one another.
We boarded the bus to visit the Forbidden City and TianAnMen
Square. The sheer size of these spaces is almost
incomprehensible! Being there with Zoe did not afford me the
opportunity to catch many of the details shared by our guide
Chloe, about the history. But just being there, gazing upon the
buildings, walking through the huge squares, and sharing the
whole experience with our daughter were things I don’t think
I’ll ever forget. I’ll also probably remember the stress of
hurrying along to ensure we did not get lost in the crowd. It
may have been cold, but there were many people there.
After the long and cold tour, we found our way back to the bus.
The next stop was a Peking Duck lunch. It was scrumptious!!! I
enjoyed each dish more than I did the last. Zoe even discovered
she liked the duck as well so long as there was no skin on it.
When we were preparing to leave the restaurant we learned that
we would be taking an hour long trip to climb the Great Wall and
it was suggested we all take a bathroom break before we go.
Guess what kind of potty was in the bathroom … yup … only a
squatty potty. At first Zoe fought me on it and said she didn’t
have to go. So while we waited in line we asked Olivia (age 7)
about the potty and Olivia seemed to put Zoe’s mind somewhat at
ease. She started to practice her squat position and we all
complimented her on her excellent form. Then it hit and she had
to go to the bathroom … BAD! She was dancing around saying “I
gotta go potty!” in a rather loud voice. As soon as the door
opened we scooted inside and she found using the squatty potty
was not so scary after all.
On our trip to the Great Wall Zoe and Lili sat together, and I
am not sure either of them took a single breathe. They chattered
non-stop and it was too cute!
At the Great Wall, we discovered there was a layer of ice
covering the majority of the steps. Zoe wanted to climb and we
probably made it halfway to the first watch tower. At that point
the steps were nearly as tall as her little legs. I was
concerned that she would slip and fall and take me down with
her. So I asked her to choose how much farther we should go and
she said, “That step,” pointing to the one three steps above
where we presently stood. So we made her goal, gazed at the
amazing structure and surrounding scenery, and then headed back
down. The trip down was even more challenging than the trip up.
Rob walked in front of us, and I had Zoe’s hand tightly with one
hand while the other one grasped the rail. There just are not
words to describe what it feels like to walk on an old structure
(built during the Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644) of such massive size.
Once we made it safely to the bottom, Zoe needed to go potty
again. This time she passed over the western potties choosing to
use the squatty instead. After she finished she proudly
announced, “Squatty potties are the best for me!” Hilarious!
On the way home from the Great Wall, Zoe sat in the back of the
bus with Lili’s family while Rob and I sat up front. Elsie
shared with us tomorrow’s details. We meet in the lobby at
5:30am then we head to the airport. The big news we have all
been waiting for is that the babies will be brought to our
hotel! We will all gather in a meeting room to meet our babies.
Lexi is asleep in her crib right now and has no idea what
changes she will face tomorrow. I pray that her heart heals
quickly from the losses she must work through, and that she
bonds with our family.
This is our family night going to sleep as a family of three …
|
In TianAnMen Square.
Zoe rode on Daddy's shoulders quite a bit today. He's such a
trooper.
Lili and Zoe ... partners in crime!
Climbing the icy Great Wall.
Freezing but having fun.
Zoe and a warrior. |
