a few thoughts...

So after we tried numerous times to hook up the computer with the adapter that we brought from home, we took a chance and spent the 5.00 on one at the grocery store up the road- I know, a huge chance!!! Guess what!! It works, so now we have power and free internet access. Yippee!!!!
We have basically been left on our own today and tomorrow which is great. One of the families has a friend here and we met her at the bank. She told us where to go to find the Beijing artists in residence and we think that we will take the Subway there tomorrow. Now the Bank, that was certainly an experience and I have to say that we were VERY happy that we insisted upon brand new bills from the bank. The gal really did look at each bill, back to front, put them through the counter/counterfeit detector a few times. It took over an hour but it was fine- Shawn is learning great patience!!! There are lots of extra police on the streets as there are conferences going on so we felt very very safe walking the streets with our moneybelts on.
Oh and pack your deodorant in your carry on!!! As our luggage hasn't arrived yet, we are without and it took a LONG time to find some here as the Chinese don't really use it. It was also very expensive but NECESSARY. It was wild - we bought deodorant, hair conditioner, lipstuff and Shawn's hair stuff - the total was almost 80RMB!!! Our lunch from the takeout was 8RMB in comparison (rice with egg, stir fried veggies, bread for Shawn and a pineapple bun - very yummy!!).
We are now having a little rest (we were up at 4 am this morning) and then we are off to see the sights and I might have a massage as the massage place is just across the road. Looking forward to that!!!!!
Will post pictures later. The sights here are amazing- a bunch of guys sitting on their bikes having their lunch, an old bike with the trailer holding a tv, it is really the people that make this city vibrant and there are lots of people here but not as many as in Toronto's Chinatown!! Actually it still kind of feels like Chinatown at home except people speak very little English. We had a small run in with the pineapple bun lady and three other people came to help!! It was too funny but everyone here is kind and will try and help the silly foreigners.
Anyway, just can't believe that we are here!!!! Can't believe that in two short days we will meet our darling child and wow, is Chinese tv ever humorous!!!!