Palm Sunday -- Great Man, Great Woman, Great Wall

We were ready early again today. We just can't seem to get a full night's sleep.

Penny arrived and we were already in the lobby. We thought we had it narrowed down to two different sets of guys as to who we'd be travelling with today. Penny tried the first one and he was not here with Holt. She tried the second one and he was the right person.

We all got into a van today since there were two more people. We set out for the Great Wall. Today we have been joined by Dan & Brian. Dan is here to adopt a 2-year-old girl. His wife stayed home with their son. Brian is his brother-in-law who came along to help. Holt recommends you have help from someone if you are single or your spouse isn't travelling.

Our first stop was a jade carving place. They told us about all the different kinds and qualities of jade and showed us how they start a piece, carve it, and then polish it. Then the guide showed us a laughing Buddah and told us to rub the tummy for happiness, rub the ear for longevity and rub the head for intelligence.

After the little tour they let us look around the store and told us where the specials were. And since we were the first group of the day, the more expensive (not on special) items were 25% off So we decided we wanted a jade dragon and found a very nicely colored one. We also wanted a laughing Buddah so we got a very nice one of those. We also found a very nice pendant that I can put on a chain at home.

Another exciting van ride took us into the mountains and to the Great Wall of China. Maybe Sunday wasn't the best day to go to the Wall. Lots & lots & lots of people. Maybe more than Disneyland. Narrow tunnels with 2-way traffic. Room for 1 car and many pedestrians. Finally, we got to the Great Wall to walk. We had seen portions of it on the drive in.

Almost indescribable. Tall. Wide. All stone. Climbing hills almost unwalkable. We chose the "easier" path to the south. Wow, this is the easier path? Very steep. Many steps. Way worse than walking on a roof. Not being in shape, this is a steep climb! Then it levels off for a bit and then there's more steps or a steep smooth incline. It basically follows the lay of the land -- mountains. Luckily there's handrails most of the time. We couldn't believe the range of ages on the wall. From too little to walk (or sleeping!) and having to be carried to older people that probably have no business being there! (Although, I think older people in China must be healthier due to their diet and exercise they get.)

Anyway, we had an hour to go as far as we could (or wanted) and come back down to meet Penny. After that climb, I asked her "Why didn't you want to do that?" She just laughed! She says one of the four things to do when you go to Beijing is climb the Great Wall because you're not a true man until you climb the Wall. I told her I must be a man now since I climbed the Wall. She said I'm a great woman and Tony is a great man now since we climbed the Wall.

So, by the time we were ready to leave it was near noon. I think everybody in China must have been at the Wall today! There were so many pedestrians I'd guess it took 30-45 minutes to leave the area. The police stopped all the vehicles from going through an "aweful tunnel" for quite a while. We recorded on the camcorder and camera all the people surrounding the vehicles.

Once we finally got out of the Great Wall area, we stopped at a cloisonne factory. Penny took us through the steps of how cloisone is made and then lead us through the store to a restaurant. All four of us ate together and visited while Penny and the driver did something else.

Driving back into Beijing, we saw that we were going to drive past the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. Dan & Brian were trying to figure out a time to go there. Penny said they wouldn't have time today or tomorrow so since we were right there, they got out to see the Bird's Nest and would take a cab back.

Penny took us next to the Hutongs. These particular Hutongs are right between the Bell Tower and Drum Tower. This is true old Beijing. The alleys are narrow and many, many people still live in these neighborhoods. They have stores, places to get a hair cut, primary schools, etc. We rode around in a pedi-cab. A guy peddles you in a little 2-person covered cart. We tried to record the ride to show how they live. We stopped for a few minutes while Penny explained the gates. Then we rode a little further and Penny introduced us to a family who live in a Hutong! We got to go inside this woman's house. It has been in her family for 100 years. She had picture of her with the Wall Street bull in New York. Her sister and her niece live with her. Her niece was there and was doing some of her artwork. She paints tiny paintings INSIDE of tiny bottles! It's just amazing! We bought some pieces to bring home.

Inside the Hutongs was very quiet. You don't hear the traffic and noise of Beijing. As soon as we left the alley, the noise was there again.

Penny had asked us yesterday if we'd like to see an acrobat show tonight We said we did so they took us to the theatre. Penny bought the tickets and even helped show us to our seats! Then she left. She held onto our backpack and purchases while we were in the show! She had nothing to do she said. So and hour later she met us outside, hailed a cab for us and told the driver where to take us. She's just a gem!

We got back to the hotel and decided to go try to find a gift for Penny since she's been sooooo good to us since the moment we arrived in Beijing! We found a grocery store and got some dark chocolates (she said yesterday she likes chocolate -- especially dark!). We got some laundry ready to have it washed tomorrow while we are having our orientation.

Boy! Are we tired! Tomorrow I think will be a little easier with just the meeting in the morning.

We are using free internet in the lobby of the hotel and they are Macs. Not really able to do anything with pictures at this time. Sorry.