A look back at Saturday's events

Sunday, April 2, 2006, 7:13 a.m.
One day left until we get Cao Ai Hua


Photos from our adoption trip to Beijing. These five photos were taken Saturday, April 1, 2006. Text and photos by Terry R. Cassreino and Pam Cassreino.


PHOTO 1
Here, Pam stands on top of The Great Wall of China with the parking area and souvenir shops below. The air was thin and the breeze was strong atop the Wall. Besides that, the climb was tough and steep. But the view was magnificent.














PHOTO 2
After visiting The Great Wall of China on Saturday, April 1, our tour guide took us to a cloisonne factory. There we saw literally hundreds of incredible vases, plates and other figurines that were painstakingly created by hand. The prices were astronomical, with some pieces selling for the thousands in U.S. dollars. We also had a great Chinese luncheon upstairs in the restaurant. The two dolls I pictured in an earlier post cost upwards of several hundred U.S. dollars.






PHOTO 3
Here, a worker at the cloisonne factory decorates a vase early in the manufacturing process. Workers were busy during the two hours we were there.

















PHOTO 4
Here is the Chinese lady, center, who invited our tour group into her home. She is 67 years old and a retired factory worker. She lives with her husband and two children. Behind her is the radiator she uses to warm the house in cold Beijing winters. The windows were built at such a height and angle to keep the summer sun from heating the home but ensure the sun warms it during the winter.







PHOTO 5
Here is a shot of the family's kitchen. You can see a microwave, a small rfrigerator and a table. Not visible, but behind the photo, is a small, two burner gas range. I'm not sure, but I imagine they also eat in the kitchen. In all, I'd be shocked if they had more han 1,200 square feet of living space.







Photos and text copyright 2006 by Terry R. Cassreino