Sight Seeing and shopping

It has been a busy couple of days for us and for some reason we could not post updates until now. Anyway, we spent Saturday going through TianAnmen Square and the Forbidden City on a rare clear day that was not too cold. We all learned alot about Chinese history by way of what we saw and from Kathy and our guide Snow. There were boys wanting to have their picture taken with Katrina and people staring at Meng, it was like site seeing with two starlets. Since it was our first day we were quite tired by night and all slept well. Sunday was hazy in the city but clear at the Great Wall and again not very cold. Snow said that we would "climb" the great wall but the girls and Jeff heard "walk" the wall and it was Climbing with a capital C with stairs from 6 inches to 18 to 20 inches up per step. Snow estimated it was a climb of about 1000 meters. The girls and Jeff got most the way to the top and each bought a "I climbed the Great wall" tee shirts for their efforts and sore legs. Vicki and Kathy went part of the way then back to the van and talked about work stuff. Meng was the hero of the day by climbing the wall in high heels. After the Great Wall we were off to Mings Tomb for more walking and eduction by Snow. Then it was back to town where we were treated to foot massages. It was very relaxing and a lot of fun. After the massages, we met Kathy's husband, Steve for a great Peking Duck dinner. With full stomachs, fresh air and all the excersise from the day we were all ready for bed. Today, Monday, was a day of shopping. Then it was off to the Silk Factory for more shopping after learning all about the different kinds of silk. We are now back at our rooms wrapping boxes of chocolate for gifts Vicki will be giving to officials at the adoption offices tomorrow.