Day 9: Free day, Hutong Pizza, Dinner with friends

Today is our last day in Beijing...and we're ready to go! We have toured nearly every possible attraction taken thousands of photos. Hopefully someday Benjamin will appreciate the photo journey and memories we've created for him.

After packing (phase 1), we took a taxi to a hutong that is very popular....lots of restaurants and shopping. Hutongs are a type of narrow streets or alleys, most commonly associated with Beijing. The Hutongs are alleys formed by lines of traditional courtyard residences. Since the mid-20th century, the number of Beijing hutongs has dropped dramatically as they are demolished to make way for new roads and buildings. More recently, some hutongs have been designated as protected areas in an attempt to preserve this aspect of Chinese cultural history.

The taxi driver dropped us off very far from the Hutong (not sure he understood Greg's directions) but we managed to find our way via a map and Greg's iPhone compass app! We strolled the hutong in search of a very famous pizza place named appropriately, "Hutong Pizza". It was down a very narrow alley way and we were surprised to find it. It was air conditioned (thank goodness) and a very charming little place. Exactly the "hole in the wall" type of place we love. We ordered a cheese pizza, french fries and a chicken/veggie pizza. It was delicious!! Greg had 2 Chinese beers - living like the locals!

We sat next to an expat couple from Sydney. The husband teaches 4th grade in a local school and the wife is a stay at home mom...with an ayi (nanny). They were very interesting and have a 4 year old girl and a 2 year old boy. It was nice to speak some English and hear about their lives in Beijing. They were amazed how well Benjamin was behaving...especially for a 2 year old. :)

We decided to head back to the hotel after lunch so BenBen could nap before dinner. We're meeting a family at 5:00 p.m. tonight @ the Tube Station (pizza again!). They are from San Antonio, Texas and recently met their 12 year old daughter in Beijing. They also have a younger daughter (age 4) from China who is with them. We're looking forward to meeting them and hearing about their journey. Their daughter has lived in a foster family most of her 12 years and not the orphanage like Ben.

We're so excited about our flight tomorrow to Guangzhou. We've heard wonderful things about the island and of course, the legendary White Swan hotel. We will stay in Guangzhou 8 nights and finally head home!!! It seems like a dream to even type it!! I pray Ben does well on the flight. Motion usually puts him to sleep or makes him vomit. Hoping for the former. I've heard the airplane bathrooms are "soundproof" (from another adoptive mom) so perhaps we'll be spending some time in there, if need be.

We skyped the kids earlier today and they're doing great! BenBen always wants to see Chezzy "gow gow" he yells and points. He's going to love that dog!! Ben also recognizes Ellie and Jack and says their names....although he's hard to understand. He gets so excited when he hears the skype ringing...but then usually starts crying when we don't let him push the buttons on the keypad. No different than any other toddler! LOL!

Packing (phase 2) will be our challenge. We had a 50 lb. limit per checked bag on the international flight to China. Within China the limit is 44 lbs. So, we'll be leaving a few things behind....lightening our load by 18 lbs!!! We've eaten most of the food we brought and given most of the gifts so that helps some.

......back from dinner with the Harrell's and it was sooooo fun!! They are wonderful people and I wish we could have spent more time with them. Their new daughter is beautiful. She doesn't speak English but sat across from Sam and gave him a card that said in English and Chinese, "You are very beautiful". Awwww, she was so sweet and seemed to be attaching so well to her new family. I look forward to following the rest of their journey and perhaps meeting them again in Guangzhou.

Finished packing and all is good! Ready for our 8:30 a.m. pickup tomorrow morning. Off to snuggle with my lil guy!!! (favorite part of each day!). Goodnight from Beijing.... 

http://schultzfamilylife.shutterfly.com/pictures