The Great Wall

On Sunday we met up with our travel group at 10am and headed towards the Great Wall of China. I was a little apprehensive about touring with Maelyn, but in the end, it all worked out.

Maelyn trying to take our picture with Daddy's Blackberry

The bus ride there was about an hour long. On the way, the older kids sang songs and giggled, while the parents occupied the little ones as best as we could. Maelyn, of course, ate snacks the entire way! We were originally going to a section of the wall that most families visit, but due to a strike, we had to change plans. When we arrived, I couldn’t believe how beautiful the mountains and the wall really were.

Off the bus we all geared up to head out for about two hours. Paul and I can’t get over how much ‘baby gear’ is needed when we go out anywhere now. Paul took the backpack and I took Maelyn in the sling. It was hot and humid and with Maelyn strapped on me, it was even hotter.

The wall is very, very steep. It is quite unbelievable how difficult it is to walk along any part of the wall, but especially when it gets really, really high. The steps are very unevenly spaced and at times a little worn down. My goal was to make it as high as I could both physically and safely, with a toddler strapped to me. In the end, I was proud of the height I was able to reach and was rewarded with a view that is difficult to describe. What an experience!!

Along the way, we came across the locks on the wall. There is a tradition in the adoption world – one that I have often read about on other blogs and wanted to be able to do for our family. The tradition is to bring an engraved lock, one that outlines your family name and the date of your Family Day and to then lock it on the wall. It is meant to symbolize the official union of your family. At first, we weren’t sure if we would find the location of the locks, but we were thrilled when we did! Now, our family lock will always be in China, one key here and one key at home.

Paul actually made it to the top of the section we had come to visit! I took the backpack and our little one back down and fed her lunch, while he climbed the rest of the way. Maelyn and I were soon joined by Leanne, Joad and Jennie and we had a lot of fun letting the girls get to know one another. They kept poking at each other and giggling – priceless!

Before boarding the bus, I had to give in and use the public washrooms. I had finally come across the dreaded squat toilets. I am happy to report I survived the experience – and the smell!

Our guide took us to the Friendship Store for lunch, where we shared a meal with some of our travel group. Maelyn had fallen asleep on the ride over, so I was able to leave her in the carrier and eat a proper lunch for the first time in a week. It was delicious!

Then it was on to the Jade factory. Oh my!!! What an amazing place! We were able to see and learn how they form the different types of Jade into jewelry, carvings, etc., and even how to select Jade. Then we were let loose in the store. I have never seen such a large and clean display area. There were enough workers there that each couple shopping had their own salesperson looking after their every need. After a little bargaining, Paul and I came away with three matching Jade necklace pieces, one for each of us, and a few gifts. Although expensive, when we return to China, we have big plans for the next pieces we will buy!!

We didn’t get back to the hotel until dinner time. We hit a ton of traffic on the way back to the hotel, so it took forever to get back. The kids entertained each other on the bus and for awhile there, had us parents in complete stitches. Tracey and Dan’s son, Lu, who is four years old, took it upon himself to make Maelyn laugh – and laugh she did!! We have the greatest video of them acting goofy and making faces at each other.

The rest of the evening was a little difficult. We got back late enough that the kids were exhausted and hungry and we just couldn’t get food into Maelyn fast enough. Then we tried running a bath for her and the tub wouldn’t plug, so we had to call the front desk for help. In the meantime, our guide showed up to get the kids Visa pictures taken, but it was quite late at night and difficult to get done. Maelyn proceeded to have a well-deserved I-am-tired-and-hungry-and-I-need-a-bath-and-to-go-to-bed meltdown. Then Mommy had an equally well-deserved crying I-am-a-horrible-mother-who-can’t-feed-her-kid-or-get-her-to-bed meltdown. Poor Paul – he had to deal with two crying women. Once we were done with the melting down, Maelyn went to bed without any difficulties at all – in fact, once we were finished our late-but-consistent bedtime routine, she pointed to her crib and wanted to get in – couldn’t blame her.
Paul and I had grand plans of blogging, cleaning up and getting a few things accomplished, but in the end, we just went to bed, too.

What a great first full day in Beijing!