Jet Lag Is A *@%&!

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Ok so since we were up so early (4 a.m.) we were the first people to be seated for the breakfast buffet (6 a.m.) Bao decided to indulge in a standard Chinese breakfast otherwise known as a powdered sugar doughnut and I had the traditional ancient Chinese elixir of the gods a.k.a. cappucino. But I did have some Chinese food, I did, such as a 1,000 year egg (you know that is just the name, right?) and a green vegetable. Really nice food, immediately went against my vow not to have fruit on this trip and ate an entire plate of watermelon. I did offer some to Bao but he was still busy with the doughnut. Then we ventured out for a morning stroll after our leisurely breakfast (by then it was already 7 a.m.) Very very busy on the streets.

A friend asked us to visit a workshop where he imports jewelry from, to see their operation and let him know about standards, work conditions, etc. We didn't know that the jewelry artisans were trafficked women that this organization has helped. Very very sad. I was so shocked at how young they all were. And they were very shy. One woman is from the town that Jin is from and she has a 5 year old that she only sees once a year. And they were brought to Beijing from so far away - one young woman is from Inner Mongolia. I will not soon forget the sadness in their eyes. And it was a strangely pleasant visit. The jewelry workshop and area where they live is on the outskirts of Beijing - very quite and peaceful.

Mac crisis averted, as the head of the jewelry group had an American volunteer accompany us to a Mac store to get a new power cord. The first store we visited, the Mac store, was in an area known as the Fifth Avenue of Beijing, very pricey, very tony, very upscale. We were going to buy a real power cord, but it was $150 so we bought an unofficial one (!) for about $40. And it works! We also bought a really cool silicone keyboard that you put over your real one, to prevent liquids from damaging your computer. So clever. So now we are back in business.

We decided not to go to Beijing Aquarium. Pretty much made the decision when we were at a restaurant for lunch and Bao developed quite the fascination (like it kept him occupied for more than 5 minutes) of the fish tank in the back. Can't we just tell him that we went?

I have attached some photos of around Beijing.

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Photos

Bao at Hotel In Favorite Activity Since
Since Arrival In China of Running Away From Parents

Allen and Bao
In Outdoor Beijing

Closest Subway
To Our Hotel

First Authentic Chinese Meal
Mabotofu and Chinese Mixed Vegetables

Bao Don't You Remember
Seeing Beijing Aquarium?

Sorry, Had to Include Some
Engrish.

Comments

[Tamara]

Hi from home!
I'm so excited for you! Can't wait to "see" you get your little one. Tamara

[Diane]

nicely done (:
Hi Cindy and Allen, Great job on this blog. It is fun following you! Take good care..