5/2 - We started the day again at 4:00 am China time. That's what happens when we go to sleep without dinner the night before! We picked up around the hotel and headed down to breakfast early. Most of the other couples appear to be on the same schedule, too. When 8:30 rolled around, we headed down to meet Zhou and the bus. Today's adventure started at the Opera House, locally called the Bird Egg. Yesterday we saw the Bird Nest, the Olympic Stadium. Somewhere in Beijing there is a communications station that is called the Bird Leg. The Opera House was surrounded by water and beautiful! It was built prior to the Olympics and cost millions of dollars. There were 4 or 5 floors and 3 full theatres inside, along with many galleries and small stages. We sat down for one mini performance and chatted up with a local computer science student who was interested in America. The people here are very friendly and curious about us. Next we walked to Tienneman Square, which is the largest square in the world. It was bustling with people, so we didn't get the full effect of what happened here 20 years ago. Dan was a little nervous about the crowds, but we've been told China is a very safe place. The security and military presence was heavy. It was surrounded by political buildings where the dignitaries meet when they are in country. We headed off under the many-lane road and came to the Forbidden City. This estate was used by the previous emperors and has 999,999 room. It is now a National landmark. It really is like a city - many different buildings and courtyards attached to walkways. We didn't really get to see inside any of the buildings, but we did venture to the back by the gardens. There were trees that were hundreds of years old, beautiful flowers and a huge rock that was used to climb and see for miles. Speaking of miles, it feels like we must have walked miles! Zhou set up rickshaw rides and a traditional lunch in a family's home next. Dan and I squeezed into a rickshaw which was operated by a bike and driver. We were by many small courtyards and this looked like a common setup in Hutong. These homes were hundreds of years old and very valuable due to their location and history. The home where we stopped had been in the family for 4 generations. The wife, husband and daughter lived next to the father's parents. We only met the mother, who was a great cook, and the translator, Kendy. I was a little afraid when I saw 4 crickets in little cages on the table. I was told those were for good luck - not eating! The house consisted of a living/dining room area, bedroom, small kitchen and a shared bathroom. It was nothing like a home in America. A typical home cooked lunch was totally different than I expected and DELICIOUS! We thanked the woman and headed back to the bus. Before we boarded, we stopped at a porcelain factory and saw how they make clay vases, apply color and glaze and cook them in the kiln. By this time we were all beat and hot. The bus took us to the silk factory, which was one of my favorites. We saw exquisite silk oriental rugs. The finer and larger rugs can take one worker up to 1-1/2 years to make! The real thing is beautiful and the price was steep. Upstairs we learned how the silk moth becomes a worm and eventually spins the cocoon. It was cool to see the entire process of how to make silk thread and a silk comforter. We purchased a silk comforter which will need a cover, but should be cool in the summer and warm in the winter and will last 30-40 years. The showroom was filled with scarves, ties, clothes, handbags and other decor. I settled for 2 meters of beautiful fabric. I missed my fabric shopping buddy, Celeste, but Dan helped me pick a beautiful lavendar fabric with pastel butterflies that I hope Kimberly will like. We piled into the bus and headed back to the hotel. Zhou briefed us on what to expect for the next few days when we all go our seperate ways to the orphanages. We will meet up again in Ghaunzhou with our babies in less than one week. Today was our last full day in Beijing and I originally wanted to go to dinner tonight, but it looks like sleep one out again! Dan has discovered that Chinese food is very easy on his stomach and a big breakfast means no dinner necessary.