Finding the Tipping Point in Tian'an Men Square

August 4th was another smoggy steamy hot day in Beijing but on the agenda was Tian'an Men Square and the Forbidden City.  We debated whether to go, but figured that the guide would cancel if it was going to be too much for the babies.  Besides, we had missed it during our last trip so the consensus was to go.
When we arrived, we discovered that the place was packed with Chinese tourists as it is the childrens summer vacation from school.  They took a keen interest in Lil and Grace and we had to be assertive to keep the masses from descending upon our daughters. 
Once we arrived at the Forbidden City we realized that the disabled would have a struggle at this attraction as there are many steps and very little access for wheelchairs or strollers.  So we struggled along in what seemed more like a pilgrimage than a tour, trying to stay together as a group as we got pushed around by the masses. 
About 2 hours into this experience I looked over at Lil as she began to sway.  One of the babies had become red and mottled and Grace had turned pale and limp.
We have loved this China experience and had been compliant and gracious visitors to this point.  (I can hear you all saying uh oh).  But doing a quick triage assessment of the babies told me that they didn't have the electrolyte balance to do another hour of this.  The cognitive therapist in me said "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING BRINGING THE KIDS INTO THIS HEAT?" , a sentiment I was sure would be echoed by the local ER.  In that moment I stopped being an adopter...that person who has been jumping through hoops for the last 5 years...and began thinking like a mother bear.
I turned and instructed the guide to call the bus...that the babies were getting sick and it was time to go home...and surprisingly she complied.  We wet the babies down with water and then made a 15 minute sprint toward the bus.
We will come back to this attraction some day - without the stroller and in more moderate weather.  If this was a test of Canadians physical vigor, I suspect we failed.  If it was a test of our free will...I think we've still got it.

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