Day 14- Beijing

Today was our last full day in China. It is so hard to believe that our trip is done and we will be on our way home tomorrow. Our day today was somewhat relaxing and not so busy. We went out shopping to another market but this one was my favourite. It wasnt like the other markets where the sellers were very agressive, but this market you could bargain at as well. This is where you can buy shoes......I ended up buying 8 pairs of shoes for Channing and not 1 pair for me. I actually wish I would've bought a suitcase full for Channing. The leather is so soft and they are so cute!!! I did however buy a few shirts, a suitcase and a few gifts. PoPo and Gong Gong decided to stay longer and took a taxi back to the hotel. I went back with the group on the bus and then Channing and I went out for lunch with Mike, Tracey and the girls........to McDonalds!!!!

The afternoon I took Channing for a walk, did our usual loop around the block and through the back alleys. It was very hot out today again, but I just enjoyed soaking it all up since it was our last full day. I started to pack things up and then had to get us ready for our party!!

Our agency had a "Good Bye China" party for the 12 children in our group. Channing looked so beautiful in her traditional Chinese outfit complete with her head piece, dress and shoes. We boarded the bus at 5pm and drove for about 30 minutes to a Chinese restaurant. It was a traditional Chinese meal with tons of different dishes. One of the last dishes was the famous Peking Duck. Once that dish came I think most people were full, which I was, so I didnt give it a try. After everyone was done eating we were entertained by Mr. Lee a magician. He was actually very good and the kids loved him. Next a Sichuan Opera dancer performed which a lot of the kids thought was scary. Throughout his performance he would flash/snap a fan in front of his face and his mask would change. It was neat and I have no idea how that was done. After the performances we had a birthday cake for all the children. The cake said "Good Bye China" and there was a flower for each child on the cake. Our agency then presented each child with a Chinese wall scroll with their name in Chinese....they are very beautiful.

After we got back to the hotel the people who were leaving tomorrow had to meet in Yulin's hotel room to pick up the kids passports and a few other things. Everything has gone perfect so we are good to leave China. We then went back to our room and James, Louisa, Kaili, PoPo and Gong Gong came over to have our last "happy hour" in China and to finish up the beer.

Tomorrow we will meet for breakfast and then might head out shopping one last time in the morning. We have to have our suitcases in the hall and checked out of our hotel room by 12:30 and then we leave for the airport at 1pm. So it will be a quick good-bye to the families flying out on later flights or on friday. Our flight to Vancouver is at 4:20pm....another 11.5 hour one!!!