Beijing Day 2

Today was a fun filled day but very tiring, not that we aren't tired enough from Jet lag). It was the day to visit the Great Wall. It took about 2 hours to drive there. On the way we stopped by the Jade store. Got a quick tour a bought a couple small things. There were many beautiful pieces, it really is amazing at what artists can carve out of the Jade.
It was greet to see the Wall. It is just amazing and beautiful. as we got to the point where the climb up started, you think "oh man am I going to be able to climb this thing. I was here 12 years ago, in early August and didn't make it up half the way, it was soo hot then. Today it was warm but there was a nice breeze. So up we went. We would make several rest stops along the way and did not make it up all the way to the top but we made it to the point that we wanted to get to. Dominic was more nervous about going back down( which I don't blame him). It took us about 40 minutes to get up and 30 to come back down. By the time we stopped at the bottom, my legs would quiver if I stood still. I was hoping that we would go to the pass that had the cable car that took you too the top so I was a little disappointed at first but after we accomplished the limb, I am glad that we were here instead.
So we started back to Bejiing. Stopped for lunch at a place that had some good food but way too much and then on to the Acrobat show. We got back to Bejing a little early so our guide took us to Dr. Tea. THe give you a tea sampling and then try to get you to purchase the tea. It was fun but since all our favorite tea was black, we thought why should I pay for something I can get easily back home.
Finally we were on to the Acrobat Show. Remember how we were running early? Well the traffic was horrible getting there and we made it to our seats just before the show started. A special thank you to our driver who got us there in time but also gave us a taste of what it would be like if vans were in the NASCAR races!

The show was fun and we all enjoyed it. It was really great just watching Dominic and his expressions during the show. What was even more amazing was that we got to sit in the first row. The seats were probably not the best for the overall show, but we were so close that a few times I was a little nervous that one of the acrobats would fall and end up landing on us. In fact Russ got hit in the head twice by feathers from one costume.

We then went back to the room had a little to eat and are all ready for bed and it isn't even 8:30. Oh, we did manage to sleep in till almost 6 am today.

Tomorrow we don't leave for Tianjin until 1pm. There is another mom going with us and she would not get to the hotel until 2am, so they are trying to let her get as much sleep as possible. I can't believe that we have only one more whole day left without out little girl and that we will be in the same town as her tomorrow.Wow, it still doesn't seem real - I wonder when it will?