China Adventure

These past few days have been a whirlwind of activity for the two of us.  We are usually quite happy to stay inside during the cold.  We don’t go out too many places.  We prefer to stay in with each other instead of go out visiting.  That’s just the way we are.  These past few days have seen us in situations we never expected.  I think it’s a good thing.

We’ve visited many Chinese treasures and a few Chinese.  We had tea with one in his house yesterday!  We have eaten local cuisine and been in a Chinese car with a Chinese driver on Chinese roads (I don’t know how bungee jumping exists for a thrill when crossing the street or riding in a car in China would serve just as well to get the adrenalin pumping)…truly we have experienced a part of the country!  I feel honored to have been able to do that. 

In just two days we will be presented with our daughter.  A little girl we have been preparing for for some time now.  I cannot speak for those who have done it the normal way, but it has been a lot of pain getting here.  I know it won’t be easy.  I am, however, blessed with the most wonderful wife ever, and I cannot imagine going into any adventure without her at my side.

We have done many things together.  From going to many parts of Disney world, to traveling up a mountainside and traversing the treacherous curves up there with nothing but thin air on one side, just to get around a closed section of Highway 101.  From outings to the beach to traveling to my favorite airplane museums, she is the one to have at your side.  She is a voice of reason.  She is a sense of humor without fail.  She is the most wonderful woman I know.  And now.  Now we get to share the greatest adventure.

While we await Chloe, let me share some more photos with you.  These first are more from the Temple of Heaven.  I got several photos here and I like most of them.  I hope you agree.  I like getting detail shots, since those things don’t show up in wider shots.  

I like the look of this photo, with the people walking through the tree bordered lane.  It was twelve degrees out, and still the visitors were there.  It says something about the Chinese that they are out visiting national monuments in such weather.  It says less about us, since I think we are crazy anyway.

The five fingered dragon is the Emperor’s protector if I remember right.  It was only allowed to adorn things the emperor would handle or be around.  Now of course, times have changed, but the detail work is amazing whether this is the Emperor’s or Mr. Wang’s fence post.

 The dome we are standing on is where the Emperor stood when he made his prayers for a good harvest each year.  We were probably both making silent prayers for warmth, I know I was.

 We visited a silk factory and actually got to witness them spinning silk.  It is amazing how strong those threads are.  The ones in her hand I tried to pull apart.  Granted I did not try very long nor hard, but the strength of them is impressive!

 These are a few of the lights of Beijing at night.  It was taken on the way back from the restaurant where we had our Beijing Duck.

 We got thirsty and wanted something other than water.  I bought a can of Coke and a can of Pepsi.  This is what they look like.  Note the Pepsi can has a pull tab.

 The final one is the view from our room.