The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City

The last time that we were in the Forbidden City it was a beautiful, sunny late fall day. Seeing this for a second time on a bone chilling and smoggy day definitely changed the tone. It is still an amazing place but not being able to breathe without a mask on takes something away from the moment.

The most beautiful part of this palace is the Empresses Garden. This spot (along with the Summer Palace) housed the Empress Dowager Cixi who was a very interesting woman. She controlled the government for 47 years at the end of the Qing dynasty after her modest start as an imperial concubine. The trees and gardens although now in winter are very impressive and sheltering.

Our guide Ingrid started the day by lecturing and then quizzing the girls about Chinese history. We have been learning about all the dynasties and today we learned more about the Emperors and Empresses of the Qing dynasty. This Imperial Palace was constructed between 1406 and 1420. It is the largest collection of preserved wooden structures in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But we apparently did not spend enough time at the Hall of Mental Cultivation because when we were quizzed on the bus ride back to the hotel only the girls seemed to remember their history lesson. You could hear their voices answering questions in unison from the back of the bus where they are holed up as far away from parents as possible. This little tribe has really bonded together.

One of the reasons that we chose this particular tour is that it not only covered the tourism parts of China but touches on adoption and homeland subjects that will be important as Coco ages. In the afternoon today we met for what is called a Citizen panel. The kids were taken out for games and entertainment while the adults met for an opportunity to ask Chinese citizens of Beijing some questions centered on the one child policy, how the Chinese view their children being adopted by foreigners, how birthparents might see things and a long discussion about the girls being able/interested in finding their birth parents. I have not digested this conversation fully but I certainly have a better idea of some cultural norms and the terrible issue of poverty and even illiteracy that I had not really considered. It is a complicated issue that requires more thought.

We are getting to know our traveling companions better. We have swapped our adoption stories and shared trip details. The groups split apart tonight and we will not see two of the families again. They each have two daughters and will travel to each of their daughters Province Capital Cities and then to their orphanages. They are nervous about going. I had not realized that most families did not visit the orphanage the first time like we did and they have no idea what to expect. They are stopping in Chengdu on the way. Chengdu is the city famous for its Panda Research Center and it was offered as a side trip as well. The rest of us are headed to Xian tomorrow. Xian is in the Shaanxi Province and home to a little over 14 million people. We are hearing that the pollution is just as bad there right now so we stocked up on extra pollution masks today. It is one of the oldest Chinese cities and the start of China’s famed Silk Road. It is also home to the famous Terra Cotta Warriors which will be one of the trip highlights. We will be staying there for four nights.

There is a good possibility that our flight will be delayed due to smog. Our guides told us tonight a big wind should be blowing in… so no problem. I was not aware Trump was on his way to China HA. Okay, I got that Trump joke out of my system. Lots of talk of our President Elect here especially in light of what has been in the news. If you don’t hear from us tomorrow, you will know that our travel was delayed.

Hope you are all well and staying warm. The next time you think to complain about the weather just think about the fact that we do not have to breathe toxic air!