Day 2 – November 19, 2005 – Beijing

It was hard - but I passed on the crepes this morning (OK! OK! I did snitch a few bites from Ben as he had BOTH a raspberry jelly and chocolate cream crepe today!). Instead I had an omelet, bread pudding with raisins, a Madeleine, too many cups of tea to count, fresh fruit (watermelon, cantaloupe, mandarins, and some really interesting fruit I'll hopefully take a photo of and post soon!), a cold oatmeal/yogurt cereal, dried mango, and orange juice. I guess it is rather obvious that I like food? J All of this eating made us a few minutes late to our scheduled lobby meeting with our tour guide. At least we aren't holding up anyone else since our travel "group" consists only of the 4 of us (soon to be 5!).

Hutongs are alleyways. We loaded up in 2 rickshaws and off we were - cruising the old town of Beijing. Families live in small homes that are heated with coal. We visited the home of Mrs. Zhou. Through the wooden gate and into a courtyard with a persimmon tree we were led by our guide, Jesse (her chosen American name - to make life easier for us westerners who have a difficult time with the Mandarin tonal language). The kitchen was a bit Spartan but it was the welcome home to several birds in cages and a little chipmunk! Passing through a storage room complete with antique furniture we entered the elderly couple's bedroom (two single beds separated by a big tv). Mrs. Zhou sat and talked with us as we waited for other tour guests to leave her living room. At some point Mrs. Zhou was referred to as Nai Nai (grandma) and this made Lilla instantly feel more at home. She kept asking for Ye Ye (grandpa). Mr. Zhou was out fishing for small fish to feed the 3 good sized turtles kept in a tank in the living room. This became Lilla's favorite room because of the aquarium and also because of 3 bowls of candy sitting on a table in front of some stuffed animals. Nai Nai said Lilla could have a candy and that candy turned her into the happy performer and Silly Lilly we all know and love! Mrs. Zhou seemed intrigued with our family as she asked questions regarding Lilla and our coming adoption of Clara Li Juan. The tour of the hutong also included a stop at Opium Street which is over 500 years old. The rickshaw driver carefully helps lift Lilla onto my lap each time we unload and then thoughtfully covers our laps with a very warm and much appreciated wool blanket. The weather is a bit nippy this morning and at one point it begins to rain and possibly sleet. Leaves are falling from the trees and we are enjoying this change of season that we don't experience in California. To see photos of and read more about hutongs : http://www.hutongphotography.com/

Once again we must brave the bigger roads of Beijing as we head north to the Great Wall. No seatbelts or carseats required in China. None available to us in the van in which we're riding. We are living life in the wild side! After 40 minutes or so of fairly calm driving we are once again headed for a climb up the Badaling section of the Great Wall. http://www.thebeijingguide.com/badaling/ Conquering the Wall couldn't be our goal this time with a 2 year old in tow. We did climb quite a ways considering . . . one detour involved 2 Reeder girls climbing onto the back of a Bactrian camel - quite a memory! Our family continues to draw many curious glances and many second looks after seeing Lilla's sweet Asian face and hearing her distinctive American voice! We met a sweet young girl from Guangdong at the base of the wall - she enjoyed practicing her "little" English which was much better than our "little" Mandarin! Lilla quickly embraced her as a new playmate. FYI - although we searched and searched at Lilla's request for Humpty Dumpty, he was NOWHERE to be found! But guess who was found?!? Can't wait? Can't stand it? It is . . . . . Erin Tilbrook - fellow Lovebug, Navywife, former Guam boonie girl, and soon to be (counting the minutes!) adoptive China Mama! We met over the cloisonné ornaments at the Cloisonne Factory (ATTENTION ALL FEBRUARY LOVEBUGS - there are the CUTEST ornaments with LADYBUGS on them!). It was so great to finally meet face to face! I'm posting a blurry photo of the two of us (we'll have to get a better one in Guangzhou!). All of you are soon to be having these face to face meetings with lovebugs - but whoa - much better than that - with our daughters!!!

Safely back to the hotel and jetlag strikes yet again. We are immobilized and hang in our room all evening, ordering room service (very good pepperoni pizza for 70 yuan!), sleeping off and on at odd intervals, and trying to get this post finished to our LadyBug Journal. My nap with Lilla is over on the lovely soft loveseat and somehow I must try to sleep again in our hard kingsize bed. On the positive side - the pillows are delightful! Tip for the day : Get used to sleeping on your back if this is not your typical preferred sleeping position. 

Adieu (this is a European hotel you know), 

Mama Lisa, Papa Ben, Jie Jie Emma and Mei Mei Lilla

Photos have been added to day 1.