Red Thread to Her

Today was a bad hair day..  My straightening iron stopped working due to some sort of power surge.  Then we turned on the tv in our hotel room and the lights in the room went out.  A couple very loud, Chinese speaking maintenance men came to fix things.  The tv works now but my straightening iron is toast.  I asked a hotel staff person where I can find another one to purchase..  he said, "Just use hair dryer." It turned out to be a good thing I didn't spend time on my hair since it is cold and rainy.  We pressed forward despite the rain and were able to see some interesting sites.

 Forbidden City

Tiananmen Square

We had a delicious lunch at the home of a family in "old Beijing" then took a rickshaw around the area.  I couldn't see much since the rickshaw was covered with a protective tarp and our driver had a large blue umbrella.

Despite the cold and rain, I enjoyed the day and the beauty of these people.  The layout and architecture of buildings are done with such careful thought and reflect deeper meanings, such as prosperity, safety and long life.  The Chinese respect and honor their elders, giving them the best treatment.  Families are intergenerational with grandparents, parents and children involved in daily life together.  Homes are small - most people in big cities like Beijing live in apartments.  Our guide said typical families sleep with parents and children in the same bedroom, since there is only one bedroom in the small house or apartment.  But this is their way, and they are happy.

Later this afternoon, we have an orientation with our adoption agency's China staff person.  Then we'll grab a quick dinner, probably at McDonalds (we've eaten Chinese food the last 3 meals) and go to an acrobatic show.

We fly to Nanjing in the morning and meet Abigail the next day!!  I am praying for this special and highly emotional time for new daughter and mother.