First day in Beijing

We spent our first day in Beijing seeing Tianemen Square, the Forbidden City, Jingshen Park and then Beihai Park.  We have a very animated guy as our guide this time.  The girls had been worried about not having a girl guide, but I think he has won them over.  He and Guohua have talked quite a bit.  She told him she knew a girl that had turned 18 and left the orphanage and ended up in Beijing - but as a prostitute.  Sad but clearly she understands what can happen.  But their other conversations seem to be pretty upbeat.  He says she is very clever - knows the Qing Dynasty history quite well and was pretty knowledgeable as we went thru the Forbidden City.  Both he and the driver are pretty taken and impressed with her.  She is really figuring out ways to communicate with us with some English and lots of acting and playing.  And though she and I walk arm in arm everywhere,  she is getting much more comfortable with Bob now too.  The guide did explain she could say Mom and Dad instead of Mother and Father, so she is experimenting with that now.  And whenever we ride somewhere, she just lays her head on my shoulder and catnaps.  A small taste of heaven for me.