Today was a full day again! God continues to open our eyes and heart to a culture that we really are just beginning to learn about. We walked (ALOT) yesterday, through Tiannamen Square and Forbidden City. A country rich in history and tradition and overwhelming beauty has been set before us...and I, as a westerner, and again realizing how little our world seems in America.
Our high point of the day was a rickshaw ride through Hutong village...this literally means narrow alley and is in a part of Beijing where the streets are very narrow. I believe, the Mongolians created the infrastructure of this part of the city and established many water systems as well...as time passed, this type of area has expanded...they are literally like little cities within cities. Homes sharing common courts, being passed down for generations...poorer areas, sharing common restroom facilities...
Those of you who know me, know how I love to watch cultures and yesterday was a gift! We saw elderly sitting in the park playing some type of game that looked like checkers and dominoes..children in the streets giggling...old ladies sweeping the street with a traditional straw broom..vendors selling their produce...etc.
The finale was being invited a traditional Hutong home for tea...Fresh tea prepared for each of us with the flower petals still floating...aromatic and savoring every moment as I "drank" it all in...praying that God would preserve my memories of all of this for Eliana.
We finished our day at the famed Pearl Market...enough said :) Tomorrow is our "Gotcha Day" for Eliana...our entire group is on edge with excitement and anticipation...
Praise God for the way He is revealing His love for the Chinese peoples (yes there are many different ethnic regions in China)...and praise Him for making this possible in our lives!
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