Day 4: Sightseeing in Beijing

Today we got up a little later, 5:00 AM. We went to breakfast and then met Snow in the lobby at 9:00 AM. Our plans today are to go to the Great Wall and an Acrobatics show in the evening. The drive to the Great Wall was around an hour and a half from our hotel. On the way there, we stopped at a jade factory. We took a tour and learned how raw jade is used to produce such lovely jewelry and statues. I bought a pendant for myself and a few small things for the girls. We made it to the Great Wall around 11:00. I knew there was no way I would make it to the top and did not want to risk hurting my back any worse than it already was. I did go about 1/3 of the way up and then stopped. Katie, mom, and Snow made it to the top. Katie made it all the way up all by herself!! What a little trooper!! Snow did have to carry her down, but that was OK. Katie thought her “baby hister” was at the top of the wall. We got to the van and Katie started crying~ she wanted to go back to the top of the wall!! Snow took her to another section and did go up with her again. Snow is wonderful with Katie and Katie just adores her. On the way back, we stopped at a restaurant to eat lunch. The restaurant was above an cloisonné’s factory. We did the obligatory tour and then bought a few things. We just love to shop!! Afterwards we went back to the hotel for a small rest. At 4:30 Snow and our driver were back again to take us to an acrobatics show. It as wonderful. We got back to the hotel and just snacked before going to bed around 9:00 PM. We had to rest so that we would be ready to meet Sarah tomorrow!!