Beijing Day 2-Chinese Acrobat Show

This was a fun show to see, crazy what they can do with their bodies. Jake was glad to be awake for it this time. The girl who was balancing on top of the guys head (Julie's favorite) had to have been no older than 12. They were all pretty small. Jake's favorite were these two guys jumping up and down the ramp on one arm. I can't imagine ever being that strong.

Beijing Day 2-The Great Wall of China

Wow, that is about all we can say. What an incredible wonder-of-the-world. What great sacrifice and dedication was put into that! It was neat. Jake was a hit because of his height, and because he talks to everyone with a big smile. The kids adored him! And, he had his picture taken with his "I Like Mike" t-shirt! We wear our religion and our political views on our sleeves (or on Jake's T-shirts) here. It's created some great conversation and some great new friends.

Beijing Day 2-Jon Schmidt

Look who we found on a major Chinese cabel Beijing Channel....pretty cool! We love Jon!

Beijing Day 2-Jade Factory

We were looking forward to going to the Jade factory to pick up a Happiness Ball. I don't know where else you find them, but they are these balls made of Jade, one incapsulated in another until you find the center. The larger the size, the more balls within balls, each uniquely hand carved. The outside layer has 12 holes, representing good luck during the 12 months of the year. The inner ball represents you, and each layer going to the outside represents a past generation. As a whole, it represents how we are each interconnected with our posterity, and encapsulated within a family. Ours broke, so we wanted to replace it.

Here are a couple of photo's-the first of someone carving the Happiness Ball, and the 2nd a Jade Ship selling for $1,000,000. I don't know where you'd put it, but it is a cool museum piece!

Beijing Day 2-Favorite Signs

Not as many, but some fun ones from the Great Wall of China!

Beijing Day 1-Tienanmen Square & The Forbidden City

Tienanmen Square






















The Forbidden City




We spent about 2 hours walking through. It is tough with a group this large when our guide, George, is so worried about loosing any of us. We did loose one family, but they'd went on ahead (smart idea). It was hot, I was very swollen after, but it was neat to share this incredible area with my parents.






The architecture is so amazing! We couldn't go or see inside many of the buildings, but it still amazes me that they lived in such luxury. It is an incredible place. My favorite part is the garden's where the children played. It is so beautiful.





It was a long, tiring day, but a beautiful one! I need to study more of the history of the area so I can understand the architecture and lifestyle! I guess I have some history homework!