Beijing
Our flight went very smoothly, we got through customs and collected our bags quickly, and our CHI coordinator (Lina) and driver (Mr. Lu) were waiting just outside of customs with CHI signs. On the drive to the hotel, Lina gave us the basics–where to change money, don’t drink tapwater, ice is okay everywhere because it’s always from purified water, etc.–in a kind of joyful rapidfire superfriendly knowledgable style. Meanwhile, Mr. Lu navigated the apparent chaos that is traffic in China. Lina also told us that Walt and Debbie Finch arrived this afternoon.
We’ve had a small outing to Carrefour (apparently the French equivalent of WalMart) to get water and tea, and we picked up a couple of kid’s picture books with animal names and the pinyin pronunciations.
Now we’re back in the hotel drinking chrysanthemum tea. Stephanie’s planning a route for tomorrow and we’re going to go to bed soon. It’s 10:00pm so it’s just about bed time. With very little sleep on the plane, we’re hoping to sleep a full night and adjust quickly to China time.
Lina and Mr. Lu picked us up at the airport
Great Wall mural just after passport/visa check
In our hotel (Radisson/SAS)
The Coke here has a cool logo
November 8th, 2005 at 13:35
Thanks Steph and Shane for all the up-to-the-minute photos and postings. I feel as if I have put my own life on hold and am inching toward Lina along with you both. I hope the jet lag isn’t too severe and that you are able to “be here now” to enjoy the next few days before meeting the lil bug. Thinking of you in downward dog.
Tamara