The Final Rewind...I Promise!

I'm finding it hard to finish the trip report, as of course, life goes on. I'm not sure I like the idea of being back in the real world of doing laundry, cooking and getting kids to do their homework. What struck me the most is that it's COLD in Ottawa. Yuck!

Our last full day in China was March 18th. In the morning we went to Tian-men Square and the Forbidden City. Everything seemed the same to me as 11 years ago except for one key thing. No one was flying or selling kites in Tian-men square. People were selling postcards, souvenir books, Mao watches (with Mao waving) and the little "Red Book" but no kites. Strange.

Tian-men Square

Approaching the Forbidden City

Finally inside the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City goes on and on. You enter through the south gate and have to walk to through several courtyards to exit at the north gate. No shortcuts to be had. The buildings are amazing. In the center of each courtyard there is a large room, each with a different purpose. These rooms were reserved for the Emperor. Around the outer walls are a number of smaller rooms which would have been used by soldiers, servants and commoners. As with all ancient buildings in China, the detail is exquisite and beyond words.

Here we all are...I think this was the last family picture we had in China.

We got back to our hotel room at about 1:30pm and realized that there was still time for SHOPPING before the Goodbye China party we were attending in the evening. R.E. got directions and we headed off on the subway to the indoor silk market. The subway was easy to use as the names of the different stops were written in Chinese and English. On one of the lines there were even announcements in both languages. We kept hold of the children as we went through the subway since it was quite busy.

On the subway

We had a lot of fun at the silk market as our bartering skills had been perfected long ago. Still known as the "cheap lady", my husband confirmed that I was just brutal. Again we didn't get off the first floor and now I realize it isn't finding what you want that takes so long but the bartering. Oh well, we still managed to buy a lot of stuff.

In the evening we went to a local restaurant that again specialized in Beijing Duck. We all gathered and there was quite a few of us since at the beginning of the week we had joined an adoption group. They too were saying goodbye to China. Let me tell you, it was quite the party! There was food, there was gifts, there was cake, there was a magician, and even a special appearance by the "Monkey King". All would agree that we had an awesome last night in China!

R.X. thought the Monkey King was pretty amazing.

After all was said and done we returned to our hotel room to begin packing. Guess what I discovered? That in the morning I would just have to go SHOPPING for another suitcase. Oh shucks ;) S.S. and I got up early to go shopping and didn't just buy a suitcase. We knew we needed a few more toys and of course some shirts for Dad. Before I knew it we were out of money and had to go back to the hotel.

Our journey home began as we arrived at the Beijing Airport at 2:00 p.m. Our flight didn't leave until 7:00 p.m. so we had one last meal with friends. This is the day we lived twice as we arrived in Toronto at 7:35 p.m. Our flight was 12 1/2 hours long and yet it was still March 19th. We barely made our flight to Ottawa but thanks to a delay we made it and were very happy when by midnight we were on our way to sleep in our own beds.