Yesterday was another huge day, very busy and very wet. We started the day with breakfast in the Hotel, and then went to the Forbidden City. As we entered, the rain came down. It didn't stop until evening. The Forbidden City is extremely huge - it really is a city built for one. I will try to upload some pics of this soon. We also visited the Temple of Heaven, which is a man made wonder in and of itself. I will upload pics ASAP. There are wonderful stories that go with all of the places we have visited, and will most likely fill in the detailed story part later. The Temple of Heaven is 800 years old and is very majestic.
We went to Lunch and had many wonderful dishes, including pigeon soup. They had pictures in the menue, and Kati and I naturally wanted to try this dish. It was awsome. It was a pigeon cooked in some type of soup. The soup retains the pigeon flavor, and is simply wonderful. Kati loved seeing the head floating around in the soup - how very Cantonese of her!
Last, and most definitely not last, was mass at the oldest Catholic church in Beijing. The church is 600 years old, but had to be rebuild 100 years ago when the Boxers burnt it to the ground during the Boxer Rebellion. Mass goes beyond description. The spirit is so very strong, enough to bring tears to peoples eyes - even if you couldn't understand everything spoken. There is great passion here for Christ. The music was out of this world - very angelic and interactive. Words do not do justice to this experience. I can't really say a lot about details which Li gave me regarding the Church here but suffice it to say, the lay people have a very strong and resiliant faith. The kindness was also simply wonderful. I can talk more of this when I am back.
Kati was completly zonked out when it was time to go to mass, so we let her sleep. Jill was not able to attend the mass which she had so much wanted to be at. I hope there is another opportunity while we are here because it is phenomenal.
Li is considering Vocations - seriously, and it is very moving to talk with him about faith. Tomorrow is "gotcha day" for Stefani. I can't wait!
3 comments:
We are so glad we are able to follow you on your journey. Ann Crouse shared your blog with us. Stefani is beautiful and you did a wonderful job on the video. Congratulations and we will follow you through the rest of your trip. Katie has grown up so much since we last saw you guys.
Jim, Kathy and Mackenzie Sanders
We are so glad you made it safely! We can't wait to see the pics of GOTCHA day! Enjoy every second of this!!! God is so GREAT!
The Meislahn Family
Good post.
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