Leaving Beijing for Urumqi

We had 2 great days in Beijing and now it is time to fly out again. Sorry,I was unable to post at our Beijing hotel due to the Internet connection.
Yesterday we toured with our GW group. It started out wet and cold but by the time we got to the Great Wall the showers had stopped and we were able to climb the wall without getting wet. We climbed the same portion of the wall as we did when we came to get Zoe. Being 9 years older this time we didn't climb quite as far.
Beijing sure has changed since my last visit in 2005. You can see the effects of the Westerners and fast food on the people. The 20ish young people are looking more Western in a Japanese way. The spiked hair and stylish clothes. Lots of bright red hair from the over use of henna. Something I did not see in '05.
Our GW group consists of 8 families. 2 couples that will be first time parents and the rest of us with kids. Some with Chinese girls. The entire group will be heading out to their various provinces and meeting up in Guangzhou. It will be great to see everyone with their new kids. We have one mom who is traveling with her father. She will be picking up 2 girls. One that is 13. She is a bit stressed about the 13 year old because after the age of 10 the child must consent to being adopted. With having no contact with the girls she is unaware of her feelings regarding being adopted.
We will try to post once we are in Urumqi (depending on the internet).
xxoo Cindy