Just learned that our email posting has a limited size, so here is the update from yesterday minus the pictures (sorry)….. Be praying for us, we will meet Josiah in about an hour and half… so 1 am Sunday Jan 3rd. We will post more about our crazy adventures on an airplane and our hotel later.
We had a great day, making our way out and back to the Great Wall on our own. We decided to try it without a guide, and we were so glad. It was a great experience, getting there and back with the Chinese people. We hopped on the subway, which fortunately is right by our hotel. When we got off the subway, we were of course completely disoriented and had no idea which direction to go to find our bus. We just knew our bus number was 919, so we saw some buses with that number and followed where they came from. We asked about 3 different buses if it went to Badaling, and they all waved us away, talking in Chinese, which we know none of. So after walking back and forth down the street a few times, looking completely lost (which we were) we finally found the right place. We got on the bus and hoped it was the right one. We were so excited when it ended up at the Great Wall! If anyone wants a true cultural experience, I highly recommend going to the great wall this way. Dirt cheap too, 12 rmb each for the bus and 2 rmb for the subway, that is about 1.75 US.
Once there, we hiked up one way, decided it was way too dangerous (due to being really steep and super slippery - there was a light dusting of snow this morning) so we went the other way. The views were gorgeous. I (April) hiked up to the highest point, while David and Joel got over half way and decided to go back and get some lunch. It was a wonderful day, one we will never forget.
To top off the day, we found a local food market that was hidden from us foreigners (the sign was only in Chinese), and got some noodle soup bowls to heat up back in the hotel. We decided to go to bed early tonight instead of going to the acrobatics show since we have an early flight tomorrow and want to be well rested for when we meet Josiah! I am really excited for what tomorrow will bring, and nervous at the same time.
Please pray for Josiah as he prepares to meet his family for the first time. Pray that the meeting will be good, and we will know how to help him work through grieving so he can attach to us.
Hannah and Olivia, I am including a picture of the Princess Restaurant just for you two. We happened to see this sign on our way back from the great wall. We miss both of you a bunch and love you! You will have a little brother tomorrow!!!
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