Random Thoughts on Beijing: The Chinese take their melanoma very seriously. Lots of parasols, hats, gloves, arm and leg coverings/ How in the hell did these Chinese emperors have time for 3,000 concubines? The physical and mental challenge of this boggles my mind./ Bobby and I felt like celebrities. Everywhere we went, complete strangers asked us to pose in photographs with them. Very random. They weren't shy about asking. Our guide said it was probably because they've never seen a foreigner. Plus we have light hair and large eyes/ The Chinese government keeps a close eye on its people. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are blocked./ America believes in God. China believes in luck./ Motorbikes, bicycles, and cars coexist on most roads. Frightening for me. Normal for them/ Paper products are few and far between here. No napkins were offered at lunch, only a small box on the table with tissues./ Note to self. Do not come back to Beijing in the summer. Hot as hell./I miss my kids./ Some Beijing people are rather pushy. By this I mean they shamelessly cut in line and bump into people. I also saw hocking and spitting, including women. I honestly don't think this is considered rude or inconsiderate, just a cultural difference./ The air pollution in Beijing makes me want to become an environmental activist./ Americans here are few./ What we've seen in the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven makes me want more information about the Chinese Empire. Fascinating./

We have no clue what people are saying around here, but we are happy fortune cookies on Air China.

Definitely in the minority here at the Air China ticket counter.

Bobby's saying goodbye to loved ones as we drive to the Houston airport for departure to Beijing and Australia. He's giving information about how to get to our wills. On one hand I am thankful for his thoroughness; on the other hand...ummm

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