Okay - what do you get when you have a rainstorm, black clouds, high winds and cold, cold air chasing all of Beijing and tourists in an underground tunnel Tiananmen Square? Uhhh....a very cool, humorous wacky experience! Well, it was packed like sardines and for the most part, Robert and I stood out in our cheap umbrella we got from a vendor (who later was hauled off and arrested after he sold it to us - NOT KIDDING!) and we got DRENCHED! It really was fun! Robert's hair held up well! He's so proud!
It rained the WHOLE day with the temperature dropping. Our guide, Lineker said this was unusual weather for Beijing! Anyway, hardly any pictures because of the weather but that's okay - we'd rather take more for tomorrow when we get baby girl anyway!!!!
Today's agenda is the Christian church service, Great Wall of China, and the Jade Market. And.....of course..... MORE chinese food. Let's also say that ....well.....Robert and I both LOVE the China Buffet in Lebanon by the Walmart!!!!!! It's pretty bad when your plate of brown 'stuff' tastes.....slimy!!! Robert says he's getting skinny. Its also great to have packed some protein bars and LOTS of chocolate! When I woke up at 2am this morning (thinking of Mary, of course) my 'dinner' consisted of Butterfingers - rock on!!!!
Oh, also, we were stalked at the pearl factory by a lovely sales lady. She followed us EVERYWHERE and she knew every english word except, "no, thank you"! Robert and I didn't quite have such a problem at the silk market, which was AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL but now - we have a strategy! We figured if a salesperson starts to just follow us, we'll split up!!!!! Then, we'll tell the salesperson the other one has the money!!!!!
We washed our wet clothes in the sink last night and dried our shoes with the hotel hair dryer - whatever works! This city of about 18 million people is just incredible - stretches for miles, high rise residential buildings and crazy drivers everywhere! We have gotten to know the other 2 families, the Videons and the Lutz family who will be traveling very early with us Monday morning to Hefei City to get our daughters! We also have a serious prayer request! There is an outbreak of a virus - a more severe case of "hoof & mouth" disease in the province of Anhui, which is where our daughters are from. Twenty-two children have died so far. Now, Anhui has a few million people in it as well, so we are praying and believing that this virus has not reached Hefei City and that ALL the orphans are safe! God has shown Himself faithful, providing us with wonderful friends and the greatest adventure we have ever been on so we are confident in His word that Mary and the others will be safe! Our flight out to Hefei City is VERY early Monday morning.
We love you all - and remember, as you are sleeping tonight, we'll be meeting Mary!!!!
Love, Robert & Ronda!
