The Great Wall~

Today was our 2nd full day in Beijing, and we first went to a Jade factory.  We were able to see how jade pieces are manufactured and we bought a few items, one being the family ball of happiness.  It's a ball, with several smaller balls inside, all cut from one piece of jade.  It symbolizes the core of family and the generations that make up that family.  Very neat in design.

Then we went to The Great Wall.  Wow is about all I can say.  As we approached the Wall, we saw how great the mountain range was, where the Wall was built in the center.  The closer we came, the more you saw of the Wall.  It's massive, to say the least!  Our guide allowed us to have an hour and a half to climb on our own.  The Wall was constructed to protect Beijing from the Mongolian people.  It is large, built brick by brick, taller on the Mongolian side than the other.  Some of the steps were taller, some shorter than others...very uneven, which made it a challenge to climb. Here are some of the pictures taken.

After lunch today, we were off to the Beijing airport to fly to Fuzhou.  We met our guide, Maggie, and our driver.  Maggie is very sweet and knowledgeable, as she was trained professionally in adoption services.  We drove an hour back to our hotel, Lakeside Hotel, and felt the balmy and humid air on the way there.  It had rained earlier, and we could tell a difference in weather.  As we entered our room, Sophie's crib was already by our bed! EEEEKKKKK!!  She will be here tomorrow ( Sunday, April 27th ) afternoon at 3:30pm!!!  Send prayers our way....