Shaolin Temple Tour

Today we learned more about the local traditions of the Henan province by visiting the Shaolin Temple. We were warned that the temps in the mountain elevation were much cooler than in the city so we all brought layers for the babies. Turns out we were still all sweating like mad before we had gone too far. Of course you have to imagine our group- at least 6 families with small kids in tow. Toting strollers up and down ancient stairs or kids strapped to our fronts like kangaroos in pouches. We are still having random people take our picture on a regular basis! Now though, in addition to taking our pictures, they smile indulgently at the children and then smile more shyly at us. 

This tour was geared for adults, not adults with kids. It was beautiful and I will never forget the peaceful stillness of the pagoda forest or the stark details of the temple itself. By lunchtime at 1 pm we had walked ourselves ragged and our little people were beginning to think we weren't going to feed or change them ever again. Following lunch at the dining hall we saw a brief Kung Fu show. This guy (monk?) threw a needle through a pane of glass and popped a balloon. I have no idea how it happened! It surely shouldn't be possible for a needle to pass through glass molecules??!!?

After we got back to the hotel our guides called to say the kids' passports were ready!! So exciting!! Sometimes this step is delayed so we are very thankful to have it complete. Also important, the guide brought my fresh clothes back from the laundry- I sweat through all my clothes each day. Then a group dinner at Pizza Hut and fevered packing while Gabe played in his crib after bath time. Somehow all the stuff we packed multiplied when we put it away in drawers at the hotel this week... Hmm. So much stuff. 

Tomorrow morning will come early! We have to be on the bus for the airport at 7 am. I hear it's about a 3 hour flight to Guangzhou, so pray for us that everything fits in suitcases, that we all have enough hands to juggle suitcases and small children, and for a safe, uneventful (dare I pray for restful??!!) plane ride. Here's pics from our day! I have more on my other camera.