Tianjin

We made it to Tianjin yesterday afternoon around 4 p m.   It took us several subway stops (4 or 5)
while transferring stations too.  That in itself was an experience (pretty neat).  Emmi was a little
uncomfortable I think, but we made it to the train station just fine.  The bullett train, to my understanding, is relatively new (built for the olympics?).  Needless to say, it's very clean.  There's a train that run's every fifteen minutes and when it stops, there are people waiting to clean them.  What would have taken 1 hour and a half only took thirty minutes, NICE!!!  Once we got off the train, we stood in a line the length of a football field waiting for a taxi.  I felt like I was at a theme park waiting to
get on a ride.  CRAZY!!  It did move rather fast though!  There is a nice system in place!!!  Tianjin
has so many pretty buildings, lots of European style designs.  Our guide, Alice, said that many Chinese
visit Tianjin just ot see the buildings as they will never be able to travel to Europe, lots of European
influence!!!  Very pretty!!! 
Onc thing I totally forgot about China, is to step UP when entering a room.  I've tripped so many times
and yes there is a story beind why you need to step up.  I learned that at the Forbidden City in 2000.

Once we checked into our hotel, nice!!!  Emmi loves it!!!  We met Alice for Dinner.  She took us
to a noodle restaurant.  It was awesome!!!  We used chopsticks, no forks available, slurping and all
with NO napkins.  I can say that that was a true Chinese experience, loved it!!!!  After we ate we shopped for candy to take to their children waiting to be adopted with a few other supplies.  Then
back to the hotel.  After we returned to our room, around 6:00 p.m., I felt it - TIRED!!!  I've only
had around 8 hours sleep since Thursday night.  Woke up this morning feeling great!!!  And now
we're ready to venture downstairs to breakfast.  We meet our guide at 8:45 a.m. and then we are off to the orphanage.  It's so surreal!!  I can't believe it's time!!  Please pray for us!!  I'll post later
today with pictures.  Blessings to you all!!!

                                                            Emmi at the noodle shop!!