Beijing - Day 1 with our Adoption Tour Group

Today we met up with our adoption tour group from CCAI and WACAP (one family from this agency is traveling with us in Beijing and using the same travel agency).  We are a total of six familes adopting from Henan.  Seems like everyone is very nice and it was fun to get to know them.  I think we will be a pretty close knit group as the next 2 weeks unfold.

We left the hotel at 8:30 AM and headed for the Hotong tour.  This tour involved a rickshaw ride through the older part of Beijing.  Each carriage had a couple with a Chinese gentleman pedaling us on his bicycle.  I don't understand Chinese, but the other drivers appeared to give our driver a hard time since he had to pedal me (all 6'4" of me) and Robin around.  He was such a small guy and really had to work hard!  We felt sorry for him!!!  He had his pant legs rolled up and had worked up quite a sweat!  We also stopped at a home in the Hotong.  We met Mr. Hou and visited his house and saw what they were like.

Sitting on the Step of Mr. Hou's home

Robin with our "Driver" After the Ride

Next we headed to the silk factory for a tour.  It was quite interesting to see how they make silk products.  They tried to pedal silk comforters, rugs, clothing, and other items made of silk.  We bought a few gifts and Robin found a beautiful scarf - everyone knows how she loves scarves!

We then headed to lunch at a local Chinese restaurant.  George ordered for us and the food was fantastic!  I guess when you guide so many Americans around, you figure out what foods they prefer!  We had a great time around the table talking with the other adoptive parents and getting to know each family a little better.

Lunch with Other Adoptive Families

After lunch we headed to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.  We walked and walked and walked.........  It was so hot and muggy (see the pictures) !!!  I think we went through a couple of water bottles each!  We had a great time wandering around the sights and getting pictures.  Our guide George is wonderful!  Here are a few pictures: