We are able to post to our blog, but we can't view comments unless Scott finds a way around it. He was able to get it so we can at least see our posts but has not been able to work the system to where we can view comments. So if you post something, please do not be offended if I don't respond. I'm not ignoring you, I just can't view the comments.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Day 2
It is Sunday and we have made it to Wuhan. Today was a day of rest once we arrived at the hotel. Little Miss was on her own this afternoon as I slept the afternoon away. I think the lack of sleep before we traveled and then the time change finally caught up with me. The hotel we are in is very nice. It is probably one of the nicest hotels I have ever stayed in. The drive today was interesting. We were on a six lane highway crowded with cars, pedestrians, people on bicycles and scooters. How nobody gets hit is beyond me. There are times I just have to close my eyes.
The drive today also made me appreciate America and what we have. We are so blessed.
It is warm here and very muggy. I'm going to have wished that I brought cooler clothes.
Well, tonight is the last night of just the three of us. Tomorrow is the start of a whole new chapter for us. I hope that Xu Hui is as excited as we are to have her join our family. I hope she likes us.
The drive today also made me appreciate America and what we have. We are so blessed.
It is warm here and very muggy. I'm going to have wished that I brought cooler clothes.
Well, tonight is the last night of just the three of us. Tomorrow is the start of a whole new chapter for us. I hope that Xu Hui is as excited as we are to have her join our family. I hope she likes us.
Day 1 Continued
Wow, what a day we had. We started out at Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City. The square was surrounded by huge pillars for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Each pillar represented a different ethnic minority. There are 56 ethnic groups in China of which 55 are minorities.
Street vendors were everywhere. However, they are illegal in China so if the police were coming they would start packing up. They were very pushy and would keep following you. One vendor offered a flag to Miss. She was just about ready to take it before we said no. She got all embarrassed. We had to remind her that nothing was free.
Miss was a celebrity. People would turn and stare at her. Many people pulled her aside to get their picture taken with her. We lost count after the 6th or 7th picture. So if you see a picture of Marissa with some stranger, this is what it is all about. We had to really watch her because some people wouldn't ask and would just pull her away. Most people were good about asking though. She was a very good sport and smiled nicely. It was nice to have the guide along because she would tell us what people were saying about her. Scott knows a little Mandarin so he could pick out a little of it as well. One little boy who must have been maybe 3 said, "She is from a foreign country." Scott taught Marissa how to say no problem in Chinese. So she responded to a group once after a picture and then they thought she could speak Chinese so they started talking to her. Of course, she responded with a blank stare. I told Scott he needed to teach her how to say that is all I know.
The Forbidden City was something else. It just kept going. Can you imagine having 3,000 concubines? That would keep one busy.
After the Forbidden City we went to a silk factory. We tried our hand at making a silk blanket and failed miserably. Then it was off to lunch and The Great Wall.
I had no idea what we were in for when we went to the Great Wall. I should have known when the guide said she would wait for us at the entrance. We walked around the corner and were faced with steps for as far as one could see up the mountain. These weren't just ordinary steps. They varied in height and depth which made the climb even more challenging. When I got to the first tower, I thought I was going to die. However, I had to keep going because Marissa was off to the next tower. She was like an Energizer bunny. People commented on how well she was doing. She finally wore out though a tower or two from what we think was the top, but who knows. Every time we thought we were almost there, the path would turn and there would be another mountain of steps. It is one of those things that you have to experience to really appreciate.
After The Great Wall it was back to the hotel. We were able to experience what traffic was really like in Beijing. The guide said it was typical traffic because on the weekends there aren't restrictions on who could drive and many people headed to the suburbs. We took a detour by the Olympic Stadium but it was dark by that time so we were able to just see the silhouette of the buildings. By the time we got back to the hotel, Miss was sound asleep in the car. I think we finally wore her out.
Street vendors were everywhere. However, they are illegal in China so if the police were coming they would start packing up. They were very pushy and would keep following you. One vendor offered a flag to Miss. She was just about ready to take it before we said no. She got all embarrassed. We had to remind her that nothing was free.
Miss was a celebrity. People would turn and stare at her. Many people pulled her aside to get their picture taken with her. We lost count after the 6th or 7th picture. So if you see a picture of Marissa with some stranger, this is what it is all about. We had to really watch her because some people wouldn't ask and would just pull her away. Most people were good about asking though. She was a very good sport and smiled nicely. It was nice to have the guide along because she would tell us what people were saying about her. Scott knows a little Mandarin so he could pick out a little of it as well. One little boy who must have been maybe 3 said, "She is from a foreign country." Scott taught Marissa how to say no problem in Chinese. So she responded to a group once after a picture and then they thought she could speak Chinese so they started talking to her. Of course, she responded with a blank stare. I told Scott he needed to teach her how to say that is all I know.
The Forbidden City was something else. It just kept going. Can you imagine having 3,000 concubines? That would keep one busy.
After the Forbidden City we went to a silk factory. We tried our hand at making a silk blanket and failed miserably. Then it was off to lunch and The Great Wall.
I had no idea what we were in for when we went to the Great Wall. I should have known when the guide said she would wait for us at the entrance. We walked around the corner and were faced with steps for as far as one could see up the mountain. These weren't just ordinary steps. They varied in height and depth which made the climb even more challenging. When I got to the first tower, I thought I was going to die. However, I had to keep going because Marissa was off to the next tower. She was like an Energizer bunny. People commented on how well she was doing. She finally wore out though a tower or two from what we think was the top, but who knows. Every time we thought we were almost there, the path would turn and there would be another mountain of steps. It is one of those things that you have to experience to really appreciate.
After The Great Wall it was back to the hotel. We were able to experience what traffic was really like in Beijing. The guide said it was typical traffic because on the weekends there aren't restrictions on who could drive and many people headed to the suburbs. We took a detour by the Olympic Stadium but it was dark by that time so we were able to just see the silhouette of the buildings. By the time we got back to the hotel, Miss was sound asleep in the car. I think we finally wore her out.
Day 1
It is Day 1 in China. We arrived without incident which was good. Getting through customs was a breeze. We are preparing to leave shortly to go to the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. It is really foggy right now but the sun is supposed to come out. Miss is antsy to get going. She was up at 4 this morning after only 4 hours of sleep and has been going strong ever since.
Friday, November 6, 2009
We have made it to Toyko
The flight to Tokyo wasn't too bad. They at least kept us well fed so Marissa was happy. She felt pretty special because she got special kids' meals. We were supposed to have a Towncar to the airport this morning but they sent a limo so she was excited. We are off to Beijing in about an hour. Hopefully, Miss will sleep at least a little bit on this next flight or she is going to be one tired little girl tomorrow.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Travel day has arrived
Well, our travel day is finally here. I can't believe it. I think I am just about ready. I have two pounds to spare between our suitcases. Packing each suitcase under 44 lbs is a challenge. I packed lots of snacks though so I can always ditch some of that if need be. The last few days have been a little stressful. I owe my family big time because I know I have been a little grouchy. Hopefully once we get gone I can forget about everything that I didn't get done at the office and at home and just enjoy the trip. I just as well right because there won't be anything I can do about it in China. The work will always be there.
The next time we chat, we will probably be in China. Until then, have a wonderful day.
The next time we chat, we will probably be in China. Until then, have a wonderful day.
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