Saturday, July 16, 2005 – 4:00 PM, local Beijing time
Today has been a nice and relaxing day. Our sightseeing took us to some very serene places. It fit nicely, since the last few days have been pretty action-packed.
Justin’s morning accidentally started at 5:30 AM. When the alarm went off, I got up to take a shower, thinking the clock was still set for 6:30 from yesterday. I didn’t check it last night, and forgot that Dilla set it for 5:30 (no AM or PM setting) earlier in the afternoon for a nap before leaving for dinner. I was quite surprised to see it was still before 6, expecting it to be nearly 7. No matter, I figured I’d catch up on the Cardinals on the Internet. WRONG! It was still 5 PM Friday afternoon in St. Louis – the game would not start for another 2 hours. So I just surfed the net for a while before breakfast.
After another filling breakfast, we took off with our new guide, Belinda and our faithful driver, Young, headed for the Heavenly Temple. This is a park; four times the size of the Forbidden City. Many local people go here to relax, exercise, dance, play games or just wile away the time. There are 10,000 trees in the park, so it is also known as Oxygen Park.
The 9 Dragon Juniper, named for the spiral grooves of the trunk that resemble dragons, is over 500 years old.
Belinda and Dilla at the entrance of the Emperor's prayer alter building.
Inside the park are some more historic structures. One is where the Emperor would come to pray twice a year at the Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice. . .
. . . a structure that houses the divine tablets of the gods from the Ming Dynasty.
. . . and a spot where the Emperor would go to talk to the gods, if he felt that he could not talk to the Empress, his concubines or his advisors.
Emperor Justin talking to the gods!
It felt good to take a leisurely walk through the park this morning – even if it was hazy, about 90 degrees and humidity so high it felt like you could cut the air with a knife! Seriously, it was very nice.
Belinda took us to a nice local restaurant near the neighborhood where she lives. The specialty was Southern Chinese cooking, which is a bit spicier than the Northern style. Belinda and Young joined us and once again, we got enough food for the Chinese Army. It was all very delicious, but so, so much!
Most people are familiar with the Chinese water torture. I think I am being victimized a different kind of torture – having to eat too much. They keep feeding us delicious food, and it’s so good, I can’t stop eating! (How do they know me so well?) I don’t know what they’re after, but I GIVE!!!!!!!!
We enjoyed good conversation over lunch, talking about Young’s family, movies and music. It’s really the first time we had a chance to talk to our driver, even though we’ve been with him every day. He doesn’t speak English, so Belinda interpreted. It was nice to get to know him.
After lunch, we enjoyed a walk through another park and stopped for a Chinese Tea service. We learned a bit about, and tasted different kinds of teas. It was interesting and tasty. Naturally, we couldn’t leave without a few souvenirs! 
A building in the park on the way to Tea Service
The bulbs in the top-left, when left in boiling water reveal a beautiful flower and make a delicious tea.
Learning about Chinese teas
We walked to the other end of the park where Young had the car cool and ready to take us back to the hotel. We’ll spend the rest of the day repacking and getting ready for “Gotcha Day.” Our next communiqué will come after we have Lily! FINALLY!!!!!!!
P.S. We ended up venturing out for a light bite and where do you think we dined for our final night before becoming parents on a Saturday night in Beijing, China? . . .
I'm lovin' it!