Heaven. It was very interesting to visit such great places. The culture is very rich and very
pleasant. After breakfast, we first visited the Tienemen Square. It was hot and sticky outside. I
surprisingly wasn't as hot as Robin was today. The Forbidden City was pretty cool. However, it
did seem like it was going on forever, and it was very crowded. I really felt like I was in a movie or
video game with the scenerary, you know Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon style. Afterwards, we
went and had a very nice lunch at a resturaunt. It was family style and our guide Jeannie
ordered for us. Nothing to out of the ordinary except for the fried duck, rabbit with mushrooms
and the fried watermelon. I pretty much stuck with the beef and chicken, at least I hope it was.
After lunch, we went to the Temple of Heaven, which most of it was under construction. It is
amazing how much of this city is under construction, they are getting ready for the 2008
Olympics. Tonight we are going to a chinese acrobatics show, it should be interesting. Our
travel group are all great, they really are very nice people. Everyone is just as excited as we are
about Sunday. I think we may have some dinner and drinks after the show with some of them,
not many nights left without a little one. That's ok, she is worth it. Well gotta go, the bus will
leave without us. Tomorrow we are going to the great wall, heard its amazing. These pictures
are not cropped yet, so they may seem a little blury or fuzzy. They will look better when I have
time at home.
This is the view outside our hotel room
in Beijing. We are staying at the
Kunlun Hotel. It is very nice.
morning. I believe they are doing Tai
Chi. However, they were running and
doing sword drills. It was interesting to
watch.
Square. Chairman Maos overlooking.
the Forbidden City. However very
busy and huge, It was truly amazing,
the world!" Robin found a Starbucks
inside the Forbidden City. I guess just
like everywhere look, there's a
Starbucks. Go Figure.
Heaven. The history and culture of
this place is so amazing. I'm so glad
we were able to begin our journey here.
July 16, 2005
and the Summer Palace. The Great Wall was something to see. Robin and I tried to speak of
the emotions that we felt when placing our feet on one of the seven wonders of the world. Robin
actually and broke out in goosebumps and almost shed a tear. It was truly magnificient. There
was a hard side and easy side. We of coursed tackled the hard side. We climbed for about an
hour and had to turn back. That was the only time we had. Don't get me wrong, it was tough,
just like me. The summer palace was cool, but seemed more like a park with a lake. We just had
dinner at a Japanese place here in our hotel, it was superb. I actually tried a crawfish. I just
about puked, seriously. Wasn't to bad, except for the legs. I felt like I was on fear factor. Robin
was very proud for trying something new. She however did not try it, the eyes freaked her out a
bit. Anyway, today we awoke as yet parents to be. Tomorrow is the big day. Robin asked me
earlier today how I was feeling. The best way to describe that is "surreal". Not quite real yet. I
keep thinking of Josie and to what she may be doing today. I'm sure she is not doing anything
out of the ordinary. She is probably just going about her life as she knows it. I just kept saying
that tomorrow that little girl's life will be changed in an instant, not to mention ours as well. I just
keep wondering what tomorrow will bring. What will I say to her and how she will react to us. I
know deep in my heart that she was meant for us. I cannot wait till morning. Tomorrow, my life
will always be known forever as "Josie's Dad."
climb. We took the hard side. The
people that took this side said it was
pretty hard though, especially with all
the people. Not as many brave souls
on the hard side I guess.
it as far as the little building in the
distance. We only had about an hour
and half to climb. We had to catch our
bus back. It was pretty difficult to make
it that far. I had to lose 20 lbs in sweat
alone. Truly magnificent.
No climbing at the great wall. Behind
her you can see the part that we
climbed.
side was difficult b/c the stairs were so
uneven. Sometimes they would be
three inches in height and next they
would be 2 1/2 feet in height.
drenched already. Behind me is the
part that we climbed as well. The first
incline over my shoulder is the incline
that Robin was on in the last picture.
It was very beautiful.
