We're awake :-)

We are up now (4:20 a.m.). We went to bed around 9 or so because we were both falling asleep. Today, we were planning to go to the Zoo in Beijing, and if possible we may try to go to a couple other sites in Beijing by taxi. It is still very hard to believe that we are actually in China, and that we will have Jade the night after next! Everytime we think of getting Jade a smile appears on our faces. Our guide, Rose is probably in her late twenties or early thirties, and she is so sweet. Her english is excellent. One thing that has struck me overnight is the way that old and new China are mixed together even in this big city. By that I mean we walked down the street with Rose last night to see old bicycles in rows on the sidewalks, new buildings, old buildings, tiny old stores beside new more modern stores, and even a three foot wide opening where they had Peking ducks hanging on hooks with an open wood fire oven in the wall of the building cooking them. Rose said we have to try Peking duck while we are here, go to the Great Wall, and see an acrobat show (she is going to try to see if she can squeeze this in after the Great Wall). Those are three things you have to see when you come to Beijing. Gotta go! Theresa wants to use the computer to check her email, and we're enjoying a Sunkist orange we bought off the street -- yes, it's okay to eat it as long as you wash it thoroughly with bottled or boiled water. We're also removing the skin from it, and the peaches we purchased. It's good. Jeff