There was one common theme in all of our stops. Specifically, everywhere we went, the native Chinese treated Grayson like a minor rock star. At the Forbidden City alone I'll bet his picture was taken by strangers between 30 and 50 times. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to convince a five-year-old that time out is a serious matter when people keep coming over to snap his photograph? A few older people insisted on kissing him on the head. Countless younger people wanted to have their picture taken with him. It was very strange. Grayson eventually just started saying people like me every time it happened. It must have something to do with the love the Chinese have of the young combined with the fact that our group is conspicuously Western. I suppose it makes for something of a novelty.
One thing that has surprised me a bit so far on our trip is the scarcity of people we have met that speak English. I guess I had gotten spoiled traveling in Europe where most of the citizens speak English. We come to expect that everyone must understand at least a little. Well it makes it a little more difficult at times, it also makes it that much more authentic. It's all good.
Tomorrow we'll travel to Chengdu. The day after that we'll meet our new daughter!
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