Saturday

Its Dave here. Today started off a little earlier. We met our guide at 0730 and drove to The Marriott Hotel to pick up another family. We are now touring with five families. The day started by going to a Jade factory. Our guide, Stephen, told us that we were going to have "a look" at how Jade was manufactured into pottery, jewelry and other figurines. I have figured out by now that "have a look" means get your money ready because its an opportunity to shop! We spent about an hour and a half at the factory. It was amazing to see how they carve and polish the jade, which starts as an ordinary looking piece of rock into the final product. We also were taught the different colors and quality. We bought all the kids a present and Monique got two! Don't worry were keeping score and it will even out in the end. From the factory we drove about another 45 minutes to the Great Wall. Just for info the Chinese call it the "Long Wall." On the way there we drove past the Olympic Village and were able to get a look at the Olympic Stadium "The Bird's Nest" and the aquatic center "The Cube." We were not able to see inside as that tour was the day before we arrived. It was amazing to see the outside and how detailed the architecture is. The building next to the Cube is the Olympic offices. It is a high rise building that is shaped like the Olympic torch. (pictures are forthcoming) We have been on a crazy schedule and have had no time in the hotel room to keep up with the blog. We made it to the Great Wall. What an incredible sight. Seeing is believing. The terrain where it is built is steep and the views from the top are incredible. They were very ingenious people. How they built it is "ANCIENT CHINESE SECRET." I will write more later. Stephanie is cracking the whip because we are a little behind schedule. Bye for now.