Inside the Forbidden City

This is a picture of the first palace. KG this is where the Emperor met with important people. There was a throne in there like a real princess castle. :) This was one of many palaces. They all had a different purpose. The big pots were the local fire department. They were filled with water. In the winter time they built a fire underneath to keep it from freezing. 

--
Aimee Fannin
www.jacknjillsale.com

Tian’an Men Square

This is T and I in front of Tian'an Men Square. The building in front of us is the entrance to the Forbidden City. It was forbidden because common folk were not allowed inside the walls. It was surrounded by a moat and a red wall all the way around. When you entered there were no trees. All open courtyard. This was so that if someone tried to enter to kill the emperor they were exposed. Also the ground was seven layers of brick thick so that no one could dig their way in. 

--
Aimee Fannin
www.jacknjillsale.com

Day One- cont.

CT, this is a picture of a dragon boat that we rode across the lake. The other big boat is made of stone. They used it for entertainment. The emperoress had this built.

Summer Palace-Cont.

I think I am only going to be able to post two pictures at a time. This is T and me in front of the lake, and then a picture looking across the lake. Very pretty.

First Day- Summer Palace

Today was a sightseeing day. We got up and had a Western Breakfast. I was so excited, I almost teared up. :) Eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, fruit, and orange juice. After breakfast we headed out to the Summer Palace,  Tian'an Men Square  , and The Forbidden City. All of them were pretty cool. The jet lag has been a little issue. We slept pretty good last night. Going to bed at 8pm, but I was wide awake at 1am. We took a 3 hour nap today. I don't know if that was so smart as far as sleeping tonight. We will see. Tomorrow we have the silk factory, Olympic Stadium, and The Great Wall! I will have to attach pictures in separate emails due to size. 

I will try to explain these pictures. I don't know what order they will show up. The first set we are at the Summer Palace. This is where the Emperor and Emperoresses would spend their summers. It is not too far from the Forbidden City, but situated on a lake, and much cooler. The man writing the Chinese characters is using a sponge dipped in water. It was fascinating, and really cool. 

We made it!!

We have made it to China. That flight was not too bad. :) Our hotel is nice, and we had Pizza Hut last night. Facebook and Bloggers are blocked so I will be updating through my email. We are sightseeing today. Pictures to come.

--
Aimee Fannin
www.jacknjillsale.com

Trip Itinerary

This is a brief itinerary of our time in China. We are so excited to go! We hope to be able to post while we are there. If not we will post everything when we get back. We will be 13 hours ahead of Central Standard Time.

Brief itinerary:

Sept. 10 (Thu) --- Arrive in Beijing at 3:15 p.m.

Sept. 11 (Fri) --- Visit the Summer Palace, Tian'an Men Square and Forbidden City.

Sept. 12 (Sat) --- Visit the Great Wall, Olympic Venues and Silk Factory.

Sept. 13 (Sun) --- Transfer to Hangzhou.

Sept. 14 (Mon) --- Meet children at Zhejiang Civil Affairs Office. YEAH!!! Gotcha Day!!

Sept. 15 (Tue) --- Complete adoption proceedings.

Sept. 16 (Wed) --- Visit West Lake.

Sept. 17 (Thu) --- Visit Lingyin Temple.

Sept. 18 (Fri) --- Receive children's Chinese passports and transfer to Guangzhou.

Sept. 19 (Sat)--- Complete medical examination.

Sept. 20 (Sun) --- Visit Safari Park.

Sept. 21 (Mon)--- U.S. Consulate appointment.

Sept. 22 (Tue) --- Oath-taking ceremony at Consulate and receive children's U.S. visas around 4:00 p.m.

Sept. 23 (Wed)--- Head to visit friends.

Sept. 25 (Fri) Head home!!