Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City

• Lunch at a 'family style restaurant'
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  One of the dishes we enjoyed!
  

  
  
  The day started early. Buses picked us up and took us to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. It was amazing to stand in a spot that I had seen a multitude of times on the television and newspaper. Chairman Mao's huge portrait seemed to watch over the entire area. Various Chinese people attempted to touch Ian and one lady wanted her picture taken with him. He didn't actually like being the center of so much attention. We tried to explain to him that they were just curious about his blonde hair and blue eyes but that didn't change his hesitancy. It was interesting to watch people stare at him.

  
  

  
  

  The Forbidden City is vast. We saw the quarters where the Emperor lived with his concubines. It was unreal. The architecture, the intricate carvings, the paintings were all a visual feast.

  
  

  
  

  We went to a Chinese restaurant for lunch. They served the food 'family style'. Food was placed on platters and rotated around a table seating about 10 of us. We each took what we wanted. The guide gave us a brief Chinese dining etiquette lesson. It was so interesting. The food was absolutely delicious. Ian loved the rice and the soup!

All of this to say that this has been such a stimulation overload of a trip. In Beijing there are fascinating older neighborhoods called Hutongs. They look like something out of the ancient times. Red lanterns hang over entry ways and carved wooded frames (some painted) are seen everywhere. It was really so overwhelming to see. It's as if you are walking in an ancient place--which, in fact, is the case. Anyway, the day went fast and helped reduce our jet lag.

We are meeting more of the families here with us. I can't wait to share their stories with you.

Tomorrow our guides want to take us to a state church. We must take identification with us in order to get in. After lunch we will drive out of the city and see the Great Wall. It really has been such a stimulating journey so far. My nerves have calmed quite a bit as I meet other moms here and listen to them share about their soon-to-be daughters and sons. The group has many parents in it who are adopting special needs. I'm especially moved by a family who is adopting a deaf boy who is nearly two. They live near us in D.C.

Thanks for checking the post. I will write more once I get Ian bathed and ready for bed.