Adventures in Xi'an

While we wait for Thomas's passport to be issued, our agency arranged forus to go on several tours in and around Xi'an. Confession: when I learned that the agency does this for families, my first thought was, "no thanks, I'm here to get my kid, not be a tourist." Very short-sighted of me. We have had a great time seeing Thomas's birthplace. Today we saw the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built during the 7th century. We also walked along the Xi'an City Wall. ("It's their version of the Big Dam Bridge." - Mike). Also learned that I was born in the Year of the Pig according to the Chinese Zodiac. Nice. Thomas seemed very pleased that he and Daddy share the same sign - they were both born in the Year of the Dog. Definitely preferable to the pig. We walked through the Muslim market to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower. I'm sure we were quite a sight - three light-skinned Americans, our little Chinese son, and our Chinese tourguide - but we bought food from the merchants and soaked it all in as we walked.



I'm feeling very thankful for our wonderful bi-lingual guides. Fletcher's asthma has been a problem since we arrived in Beijing and made worse by a cold. We have had to buy medicine from pharmacies in both Beijing and Xi'an - not an easy thing for a certain very cautious American doctor to do for his son. Thankfully, big brother is on the mend. Mike and I are so incredibly proud of him. Despite not feeling well, he has been a tremendous help with Thomas, and he has taken in the experiences everywhere we have toured. He's even tried a few new foods. Seeing his new little brother eat anything set before him hasn't hurt.

Kid has serious fine motor skills

Hammin it up

Enjoying local foods with our guide Genna and her friend

Checking out Buddha

Looking at Xi'an from the hotel room