10K to Tiananmen

   So one Saturday, June 13, a group of 6 of us Summer Staff volunteers (along with one long-term staffers daughter) set out to walk 10 kilometers from a point in Beijing to Tiananmen Square. We were invited to take this journey with two ladies, Darrah and Ann, who had walked from the New Day South location to the Foster Home here in Beijing, over 2200 km. (Darrah wrote about the experience over at the New Day blog, I highly recommend you read it to find out more about their amazing journey and their heart behind it.) They would be finishing their walk on that Saturday, with those last 10 km landing them in the heart of Beijing, Tiananmen Square, and invited anyone from New Day who wanted to join them to meet in the city and finish the walk with them. So on Saturday morning we piled into cars, got dropped off at the designated meeting place, and began our walk. 
   It really was not a tough walk and we all enjoyed getting to talk with one another and learn more about Darrah and her story. We saw parts of Beijing we wouldn't normally see as we walked along and only once did we get a little turned around and have to ask for directions. It was so special for Darrah and Ann to invite us along to finish this journey with them and to get to be there as they reunited with their loved ones at the finish line. Darrah's mom and Ann's husband, along with some of the volunteers and friends from Ann's organization, all were there to greet them when they made it to the square. They had been gone for over four months and hadn't seen their loved ones in at least that long so it was sweet to get watch as they finally reunited. After plenty of pictures we said our goodbyes and wished Darrah and Ann well as they spent their day catching up with friends and family and celebrating their amazing accomplishment. 

Some summer staff and Darrah (on the right making the silly face) after finishing the walk.

    Our group spent the rest of the day sightseeing at Tiananmen Square, then headed over to Forbidden City, and then walked down to Wangfujing Street for lunch and some shopping, and even some scorpion eating (but not by me!). By the time the day was all said and done we had walked more like 20km and were exhausted, both by the day spent in the sun and the walking. But even though our feet hurt and we were ready to climb into bed at 6pm, it was so worth it. We got experience a small part of someone else's epic journey and then spend the rest of the day exploring this city we have been calling home this month. These are the adventures that make memories that won't soon be forgotten!

3 girls ate scorpion on a stick while we were at Wangfujing street market. A cultural experience I didn't feel the need to partake in!

These are my two roommates and they have been two of the biggest blessings here! So thankful for sweet girls to share these experiences with and become friends with over these few weeks!