She turned 14 on the 14th... On the Great Wall of China!

A birthday she'll never forget, she says. And how could she? Despite the overcast day, the fact remains we hiked to the top of Badaling, the Great Wall. As we were in the clouds, we got some rain but it helped cool us. We took the funny little slide cars to the bottom. Probably could have walked down in 1/8 the time we waited in line... oh well!   We also found her an American dinner: cheeseburger, fries, cup of clam chowder, and ice cream cake and brownies for dessert. She got to pick out part two of her birthday gift at the silk and pearl market.   We're tired but it was a great day. (I know we all could have gone without the sardines-in-a-can feeling of the subway and bus, but it is what it is....)   j.