It's after 9pm on our 2nd day in China 8/3. Had zero energy yesterday. It was a rough day! IN THE BEGINNING.....We were to fly out of CLE on 8/1 and arrive in to Beijing on 8/2. But in the wee hours of the morning of 8/1 plan "B" secretly began. Our flight into Dulles was CANCELLED...!!! Received a call from our agency guide, Zhou, that we had to act fast and get on a new replacement flight. After about 40 minutes of confusion, a new flight was booked actually giving us 2 more hours of sleep time and life was good again. We now were flying in to Newark and this was the first flight for me in over 16 years.....yes, not a fan....but the flight was short and went well. With this new flight we would only have a 2 hour layover and would give us time to try and relax before boarding the next plane and the 13 + hour trip to Beijing. Only every time we went to check on the flight it kept being in delayed status. It started as an 11:55a departure to a 1pm departure....then 1:40p......then 2:20...then 5p.......7p would follow.......then 2:30am...???...do planes even leave at that time of the day? And then......DELAYED INDEFINITELY!! What did that mean?? We need to get to China!! What what what??!! Blessed to not be alone in the situation, our guide Zhou sprung in to action and got the memebers of our group on a new flight the following morning. Poor Zhou was not only dealing with his own flights, but the group waiting with him and groups from 2 different airports. But he saved the day and life was good again and we would be heading to China in no time.....this time for sure......i just know it!
On the morning on 8/2 we boarded the plane in Newark headed to Beijing. This plane would be filled with everyone who lost their flight from the day before. Jammed pack. No open seats. Turned out our specific plane not only had delays due to weather in China, but apparently someone had the bright idea to flush a pillow and blanket down the toilet on the flight before.... an act that would destroy many smiles.....an act that would delay so many people....an act...I think that should prove when someone on an airplane is visiting the restroom with their pillow and blanket that maybe someone should question it......I mean seriously, how long did this person intend on being there?? .Just get us to China please. We all had reasons. Many families had family in China they were either visiting or returning home to. I sat by a 20 year old Juilliard trained bass player going home so he could get his needed papers signed to start a tour of Germany. 13 hours. It was a long flight. We would received 3 meals, hot towels, drinks, headphones etc. etc. I watched movies. It got a little bumpy to me. One of our group members said it was nothing out of the ordinary, but I thought it was a bit bumpy. So unreal that we were headed to China after all this time of dreaming about it and talking about it. We were actually doing "step 1" of bringing our baby girl home. And then....it was over. We landed in Beijing at 8am on 8/3. We would go through customs and gather our bags and head to our waiting transportation to the hotel. One of my favorite things at that moments was a phone call Zhou received. We he ended the call her chuckled and said. "That was Shanghai. They asking if you still getting your baby on Monday." He answered for us obviously. Yes - we can hardly wait to receive Emma Grace.
It had been a long day and a half. But when Zhou asked our group if we needed to nap we all agreed - just a quick shower and a chance to change our clothing and we would be ready to see China. And that we did.Our hotel - The Beijing Holiday Inn. Very nice place!!
Our first day in China began with a traditional Chinese meal. So delicious. A table full of everything I love. Now Dude who is a picky eater even filled his plate several times. Our meal was at the Peking Duck Restaurant. 50 people could have walked away stuffed.
It was here that I would see my first squattie. It was here that I would kindly choose to hold it instead.
uuuuuuggggggghhhhhhhhhhh jetlag has got me again, be back later, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
OK after our dinner we toured a great silk factory. We learned how silk is made and how it is woven in to fabric. Then were given the opportunity to shop. Gorgeous gorgeous stuff. I saw so many cute outfits but was told to hold off and shop in GZ as things are way cheaper. I like cheaper! So I walked out with only great memories. I really don't need more than that any way!
On the outside of the silk factory we were again greeted by.....................the squatties!!
We continued to hold it on our way to The Temple of Heaven -
And a visit Tiananmen Square
Zhou would tell us how he was there "that day"
Before heading back we got group shots in front of the Forbidden City
We would then return to the hotel, use the western toilet and pass out..............
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