The Great Wall and More Volunteering

Today was a fantastic day. We climbed - and yes did we really climb - the Muytianyu section of the Great Wall. It took about two hours, and we climbed hundreds and hundreds of steps and even a ladder to make it to the end of the available section. We all made it. We were urged to dress warmly, but the temperature did heat up a bit, so we had layers to shed. The wall is incredibly impressive and awesome. It was first constructed in 220 B.C, and the Muytianyu Great Wall has the largest construction scale and best quality. It also is a bit less touristy than other sections. We took tons of photos, but alas, the internet connection still won't allow for downloads. I'll keep trying, and will share photos online once back in the States, if that is what it will take.

We had another enjoyable time with the orphans at The Hope Center. This time, they were awake when we arrived. Karen had brought bubbles that don't break easily, so the kids had fun chasing them around. We played with the toy slide and a large ball with them, as well as glow sticks. And the kids were highly amused by our empty water bottles, pretending they were bottles. Our digital cameras continued to be a big hit. Xing Lin, the little boy with severe vision problems, was out with the Hope Center Director and her son of Xing Lin's age for most of our visit, but was able to spend the end of our visit with us. It was hard to leave them; today was our last visit.

We finished up our day with dinner next to the Beijing Opera House, and then two half-hour performances of the opera itself. One had only two characters, a woman and a fisherman, and involved lots of singing and talking. The second performance had very little singing, but was a very lively acrobatic and dueling sequence involving the story of the Monkey King.

Saturday we will tour the Temple of Heaven and shop at the Pearl Market before flying Air China to Xi'An. Xi'an will strictly be a tourist stop; Children's Hope International has no facilities there. We are all looking forward to the famous Terra Cotta Warriors There. Monday will be another travel day, with a five-hour train ride to Luoyang. Luoyang will involve the most volunteer work, as we will spend four days helping out at the orphanage there.

I'll send updates as I can. Take care.

Chris