Friday, November 24, 2006
GREAT WALL AND THE
SUMMER PALACE

We started our first full day in China with an update on Kristen! The latest report from her orphanage tells us that her nickname is Yue-Yue (pronounce the “ue” like the “oo” in “look.” They say she doesn’t take any formula anymore, but instead eats table food for three meals a day plus a snack. Guess we didn’t need to worry about which of the 4 bottle systems or sippy cups to bring! Our little girl can feed herself with a bowl and spoon, and apparently gets plenty down this way, as she appears very sturdy.

According to the report, she takes a two hour nap in the middle of the day, and sleeps very well in her crib. They confirm what we heard before, that she says a few words, can walk, likes to be held, and is attached to her caregivers. We pray that all these things are proved correct on Monday!

Upon reading our reports, the ten families excitedly shared news of our children with each other. As a group, we have children as young as 14 months, up to age 6. Our guide, Genie (her “American” name), spoke from the heart with us about the one child law, domestic adoption in China, and special needs adoption. Many of us ended up teary eyed as she spoke of our desire to adopt these children with “special needs.” We love them as their Heavenly Father loves them, and they are our kids!

Although it seemed cold when we arrived at the Great Wall, it didn’t take very long before we were plenty warm. As the pictures below only begin to show, the steps are VERY steep and rather irregular in their height and depth. Thanks to a rail to hold on to (okay, I used it to pull myself up the wall!), I made it to the first lookout point. Finding that a respectable accomplishment, I decided to reserve some strength for the climb down. Monte followed his favorite creed, “Go Big or Stay Home!” He continued on with one of the other dads, who happens to be a tri-athlete. They climbed about three times as far as I did. Monte says to be sure to check back later this week to see if he can still walk. It was quite an experience just to be on the Wall, and to contemplate the rich history of our daughter’s homeland.

After the Great Wall, we toured a cloisonné factory. While the handwork is quite beautiful, I found my mind pondering the lives of the workers we saw. How much are they paid? How many hours do they work in the cold? Did they have to leave school to work?

Following the cloisonné tour, we had lunch served family style on a large “lazy Susan.” We had to include a picture of the fish, as we warned our boys about food being served with its head on the platter. When the server first brought out the food, several of us heard her describe one plate of dumpling-like morsels as “puppy.” Monte stayed true to his goal of trying everything, so he dug in. We were relieved to hear a bit later that the dish was actually pork dumplings. Whew! The store attached to the factory and restaurant had something to offer in every price range. The carved jade eagle can be yours for only $30,000 (plus shipping.) Let us know if you want us to get one for you!

Finally we toured the Summer Palace. We were awed by the beautiful artwork and buildings which dated back to the 1600’s. The Long Corridor is 792 yards long, with intricate artwork inside and out, as it separates the formal gardens from Kunming Lake.

On the way home, we were able to drive by the Olympic Stadium which is under construction for 2008. Unusual, to say the least! By the time we got back to the hotel, our full day and jet lag squashed our ideas of going out for Peking duck. Room service in our PJs sounded much more appealing!

If you have made it this far in reading the update for today, thanks for sticking it out! We are using this not only to update family and friends back at home, but also knowing it will be a journal of our experiences in China.