Today started pretty much the same as 1 year ago. Up at 430 with a bouncing off the wall boy. This time it was Cheng.. At least he let us sleep a bit longer, before staying it was time for
us me to get up around 7. We're heading out to Papa and Mimi's today. The weather is probably about the same, though I think Beijing was much sunnier and a tad bit warmer.
I pick the boys up yesterday, Cheng still sleeping and Nian running to me to tell me about why he had his Captain America shirt on. As I'm looking down at my excited boy I got this sudden flash of the airport in China, when we first got there for Cheng. I can't believe I didn't think of it when I did my last post. I will never forget that look of nervous/surprise/fear on my child's face. I think he was surprised to see all these faces that looked like him. It, now that I think about it, was similar to our Gotcha day with him. SHUT DOWN. It did scare me a bit to see that look on his face again. Not knowing what was running through his mind at that moment. I remember talking to him about all the faces that looked like his and reassuring him that he was our little boy and we were going to have a great time learning and experiencing this country that he was born in and that allowed us to become a family. So funny how memories can rush to you at the oddest times, with things that don't have anything to do with them. Little did I know I'd see a similar look on his face about a week later at the orphanage visit.
I wish I could remember which room we had the first trip. I think it was in the same area of the hotel as this trip. We got about the same view out the window as last time.
 |
| 2015 |
 |
| 2017 |
2017 -
Didn't get much sleep last night. Someone, we won't name the little boy, was bouncing off the walls.. Finally got him to bed around 930ish, only to get back up at 1am. O M G... Talk about a cranky mama.. He was up for a little bit then back to sleep, I hope as I crashed and didn't get up again until about 430ish. We decided to get the day started, so we got ready, grabbed the big boys next door, and headed down for breakfast. I'm so glad they are big into baked beans because Nian LOVES them and ate 2 serving at breakfast. And no side effects from this kid!
Breakfast was good and I was happy to see Nian more like his normal self. We came back to the room and was able to chat with Joe's mom for a little bit. Then we headed to the lobby to meet the group, at least those here, and start our 1st day of touring. So far we have met 4 others from our group. 2 more join us at the train station on Sunday to Zhengzhou. One of the families also brought their son who's name is Liam, and he's 5 so that was great to see..
First stop was Tienanmen Square, just a short bus ride from the hotel. Nian did good but tired out quickly. No doubt from the lack of sleep and time change. Next was the Forbidden Palace aka Emperors Palace. We took a different walking route through this time and also stop in different areas so that was nice. And we didn't do as many pics this time either. After we headed to Old Beijing which still has some of the original buildings/ courtyards. Everyone got into their own Rickshaw and we had an authentic Chinese lunch at a local families home and she also allowed us to see the different rooms. Amazing how each room was it's own building and not an actual "room" as we know it. Interesting as well is they do not have facilities in their buildings, just running water for cooking and cleaning, so they have to walk to their nearest Bathhouse. That would totally suck in the winter.
Nian fell asleep on the short bus ride from the Palace to the rickshaw location. And he's still sleeping now. We tried to wake him for lunch but he is SO out of it.. Later we'll meet our guide Jason in the lobby and go to a local restaurant for dinner with whomever from the group decides to go.
The rickshaw ride was a little better this time, at least we didn't feel like we were killing the driver lol. I rode with Evan and Joe, Nian, and Caleb rode in another one. Joe and I didn't dare ride together after the last trip. That poor guy.. The room was cold like last time but not as cold that I do remember. The square was busier too. We did see some new things this last trip, and I'm wishing now we'd taken more pictures like we did the first time around. Oh well we'll get them next time.
I told Nian do you know where we were this time last year, he says no with a big grin, and I tell him China. He smiles so big and says he wants to go back. Me too baby, me too... we'll get there..
Here are some pictures from our day.
 |
| I'm surprised no one tried to pull his pant legs down. |
 |
| Busy |
No comments:
Post a Comment