February 12, Sunday

It is 4:30am on Sunday morning. I have been up since 2:30am. I am showered and dressed and starving. Breakfast doesn’t start until 6:00am and Zac is still sleeping. I feel like Bill Murray in Lost in Translation. This time difference greatly affects the old! Although by the end of dinner Zac is falling asleep at the table. I really thought I would be struggling to keep up with him in the evenings, but that hasn’t been the case.

Since it is very early and I am sitting here in the dark trying to not wake up Zac, my mind is racing with thoughts and feelings regarding China. So I thought I should jump on the computer and write it all down while it is still fresh. Please forgive my grammar and spelling. Just want to get as much down (thoughts) as quickly as possible. Okay, Tori Woods, don’t be upset, we all can’t be as talented!

The hotel:
Is beautiful, Zac is blown away by it. It is the Kunlun Hotel, 5stars. Very close to Embassy Row. Many well dressed people here. Probally diplomats. The resturants are beautiful, the food is good. And not very expensive. Our two dinners have cost 225 and 218 RMB. A little less than $30.00 each. They have this wonderful turndown service where they put slippers out for you next to your bed and leave chocolate on your bedside table, sweet! Because it is still Chinese New Year, we hear Fireworks every evening but can’t see them. Last evening I went to bed around 10. At 11 I woke to such a loud gunfire-like noise, right outside my window, we are on the 15th floor. I jumped out of bed and ran to the window and there were fireworks exploding in front of me. Very cool.

Beijing:
Is not beautiful. We have seen many beautiful Temples and the history is rich and beautiful but the city as a whole is not beautiful. It may just be that it is winter-like here. Although Chinese New Year celebrates the festival of spring, and the days will be getting milder. It feels very grey. The smog is horrible. Even on a sunny day, it still feels grey and the visibility is poor. There is construction everywhere, but doesn’t seem well planned or thought out. The Hard Rock café is across the street, but we needed to cross a eight lane highway to get there. It is very difficult to cross any intersection here. Zac says it is like playing Frogger. Funny for him, terrifying for me. Many people, many cars, many bicycles. There are 10 million bicycles in Beijing. Wow.

The People:
Everyone is friendly and gracious. I am wearing a picture of Molly that I turned into a pin on my coat, and many have pointed to her picture and smiled at me. They are happy for these baby girls. There are people every where and they don’t have the same idea of personal space as we do in the states. There is no such thing as a line here. People will just jump ahead of you if you hesitate. It is completely acceptable to spit in public. I have seen several men doing this, including the suits. The street vendors are very aggressive, bordering on harassment. Our guide doesn’t recommend buying anything from them because of the problems with counterfeit money. But their prices are better than in the stores. Zac’s theory is if you have exact change it shouldn’t be a problem. The idea of opening my wallet in front of them is frightening. Not because I think they will steal from me but because I will not be able to move, they will surround me. They come at you many at a time and create a wall which is difficult to get through. Zac thinks it is hysterical. One of the husbands mentioned that it seems like they all make a bee line for me. I said, yes, funny that you mentioned it, I felt that same way. He said I was too well dressed and they thought I had money. I was wearing jeans, uggs , turtleneck and a coat. Ha Ha I thought I was dressed down.

Today’s Plans:
We are leaving at 8:15am for the Great Wall. It is said that there are two ways to climb the wall, the first way is hard and the second way is harder. Zac can’t wait. We are given two hours to climb up and back. It is said to be very windy and cold on the wall, so there is a Starbuck’s at the bottom for hot coffee and tea. Amazing! We are having another group lunch and then being sent to the Pearl Market for shopping. This is where I will put a dent in the budget. I am writing this in word because I can’t get a free wireless connection from my room. I will post this to the blog in the evening from the lounge. Zac needs to install the camera software for me and then I will post pictures as well.

Just two more days and I will have Molly in my arms!!!!!
Max, I miss you lots and yes to all the questions!