Beijing Tours - Day 1

Yesterday was a full day of touring!  And let's just say these Mississippi folks weren't prepared for the cold winds that wouldn't even allow you to walk forward or push Mac's stroller forward at times, but we survived.  First, we took a rickshaw tour of a Hutong village and learned about traditional Chinese housing.  Then we were off to the silk factory to learn how silk is made and do a little shopping.  We had a great family style, Chinese lunch after our morning tours.  Madeline loved the Beijing duck!  I'll have to say it was pretty yummy.  After lunch we visited Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.  This is where the cold wind really got us.  It was an interesting tour but pretty difficult to stay focused when we were so cold.  Once we finished the afternoon tour, we headed back to the hotel.  On the bus ride back, it struck me just what a blessed people we are in America.  We passed a school which was dismissing for the day.  Some parents were picking there children up in cars, but most were being picking them up on bikes, scooters, or carts to endure that cold wind the whole way home.  There were even lots of children with their backpacks walking home.  We once again had dinner at the mall that is connected to our hotel.  This time we had Subway.  Then the kids and Jason went ice skating.  Madeline loved it, but Mac didn't last very long.  We headed back to our room and went to bed at 8:00p.m.  I haven't been in bed that early in a very long time.  Today we are headed to the Great Wall, the Olympic sites, and an acrobatic show.  Tomorrow morning we fly to Zhengzhou which is where we will meet our sweet Miles!