Valentine-Gaspary Family: We made it to Beijing!!

We had some stressful moments on the tarmac in Tampa, but we made the connecting flight in Chicago by the skin of our teeth. They had grounded all flights to and from Chicago because of weather and it really cut into our 2 hr. layover we were supposed to have in Chicago making it so that they were practically shutting the door when we were running on. Seems like that how my intercontinental flights are supposed to be I guess!!

Once on, we had a lovely 12 1/2 hour flight through the polar route so we had some nice scenery along the way. We all dosed up on Airborne on the way over and tried our best to do our airline calisthenics to stay comfortable in our cattle class seats. Once we were on our way, the flight itself was pretty uneventful except for the fight that broke out between some of the passengers behind us. (No, these weren't kids, they were grown men).

We arrived in Beijing and everything went smoothly. Passport control, no problem; our luggage arrived safely, so good news there; our guide Veronica was their to greet us with the green GWCA flag when we came through customs. We waited for one other family (the Roses') to get their bags and we were on our way. On the way into Beijing and to our hotel, Veronica gave us some really good information about how to distinguish counterfeit money, what type of water to use under which circumstances and other good tips. She is also helping Allen and I practice our Mandarin that we have been learning. She seems excited that we have been making an attempt (feeble though it may be). Allen and I were speaking to each other in Mandarin on the elevator in the hotel and a few of the locals were giggling, but one girl was nice enough to tell us we were doing a good job.

Veronica took us out to the local grocery store where we bought a supply of bottled water for our various uses (rushing teeth, washing face, and oh, yes, drinking). The weather in Beijing is very warm and quite smoggy. Hopefully no one's allergies will get too crazy, but we're all loaded down with the decongestants and various pharmaceuticals to counteract any potential smog-related reactions (hopefully).

A few other families were coming into the hotel around the same time we were leaving to get water (we finally got to meet the Curtis' who are also from the Tampa area). Right now though, I think we will save the socializing for when we are a little more conscious. We took it easy for dinner, Mom and Dad went to get snacks from the place in the hotel and Allen and I tried our shot at the Chinese restaurant here in the hotel which had very good noodles and dumplings. Our energy gave out pretty quick though, so I think we're sacked for the night.

We're exhausted, but everyone is in a great mood and so happy to finally be here in Beijing. 4 more sleeps until we get to meet Amelie in Changsha!!

Tomorrow we will meet up with Martin (my great friend Angela's brother), who lives here in Beijing with his wife and their new beautiful baby boy. Really looking forward to seeing him again and meeting his family.

Stay tuned for the next update....

Here are the pictures: