Well, it's been quite the day, to say the least! We ate breakfast in the hotel again (no squid or ox tongue this time), checked out of the hotel, and met our guide at 10:30am in the lobby. From there we drove a very short distance to the Forbidden City, which is the Imperial Palace. Beautiful, extravagant, huge (dozens of buildings and courtyards like the one to the left)!! We walked around with our guide for more than an hour ... wow, my legs are sore from yesterday's hike up the Great Wall, then the Summer Palace, and the Forbidden City today! Good exercise, for sure!
Our guide and driver dropped us off at the Beijing Airport before 1pm for a short flight to Chongqing. Buuuuuut, Murphy's Law was in effect from the moment we entered the airport! They would not let us check in because we were too early for our 2:50pm flight, so the guide and driver left us to check in ourselves. We did, but when we got past security, we noticed that our flight was delayed until 4:15. A small setback, but we had a nice time in the airport -- we finally met up with the other couple from our adoption agency, so we spent some time getting to know each other. They are a Chinese American couple who moved to the US in the late 70's -- very nice people, and we're happy to be traveling with them! Our flight finally took off at 5:15pm, and it was supposed to be less than two hours. But when we arrived in the Chongqing area, the place circled and circled, but didn't land. Bad weather there forced us to divert to Chengdu, which is further west of Chongqing (at least i think it is!). We landed there, but we were not allowed to get off the plane. We hung out in the airplane for about an hour before they notified us that the weather had passed, and we were okay to head back to Chongqing airport. We finally landed around 11pm, and met our new guide at the airport. Her name is Debra. We hopped in a little bus and headed for the hotel, which is where we are now. TOMORROW IS THE BIIIIIG DAY!!! We meet our guide at 10:30am in the hotel lobby for paperwork and payment (the important part - ha!), and then we ride to the Civil Affairs Office to meet Yufeng at 2pm. That will be 2:00am Monday morning Michigan time, so if you happen to wake up during the night, think good thoughts for us!!
Our guide and driver dropped us off at the Beijing Airport before 1pm for a short flight to Chongqing. Buuuuuut, Murphy's Law was in effect from the moment we entered the airport! They would not let us check in because we were too early for our 2:50pm flight, so the guide and driver left us to check in ourselves. We did, but when we got past security, we noticed that our flight was delayed until 4:15. A small setback, but we had a nice time in the airport -- we finally met up with the other couple from our adoption agency, so we spent some time getting to know each other. They are a Chinese American couple who moved to the US in the late 70's -- very nice people, and we're happy to be traveling with them! Our flight finally took off at 5:15pm, and it was supposed to be less than two hours. But when we arrived in the Chongqing area, the place circled and circled, but didn't land. Bad weather there forced us to divert to Chengdu, which is further west of Chongqing (at least i think it is!). We landed there, but we were not allowed to get off the plane. We hung out in the airplane for about an hour before they notified us that the weather had passed, and we were okay to head back to Chongqing airport. We finally landed around 11pm, and met our new guide at the airport. Her name is Debra. We hopped in a little bus and headed for the hotel, which is where we are now. TOMORROW IS THE BIIIIIG DAY!!! We meet our guide at 10:30am in the hotel lobby for paperwork and payment (the important part - ha!), and then we ride to the Civil Affairs Office to meet Yufeng at 2pm. That will be 2:00am Monday morning Michigan time, so if you happen to wake up during the night, think good thoughts for us!!
8 comments:
Hi Shonda! Hi Jim!
You two must be in daze...not only will you be with YuFeng in just a few hours...but everything else that is a part of adoption (the paperwork; the 12 month wait; the trip around the world). Wow!
You two are courageous, to say the least!
I can't wait to hear how the meeting goes...I'll keep my fingers crossed that Murphy doesn't bother you two (three) anymore this trip.
Thanks for sharing your trip...I think I've been checking my computer 1/2 dozen times a day hoping for a new entry. Will you have time after you pick up YuFeng??? Perhaps the rest of your adventure will be shared at a later date (but I'll keep checking your blog anyway).
~Shelly
P.S. Did you decide on a name yet?
So I'm sitting here reading your blog and noticing that in 4 short hours you will be meeting your DAUGHTER!!! Also thinking that if its going to be 2am in four short hours, I should proabbly be in bed...or I will be able to be awake and thinking of the three of you!!!! I'm sooo excited to hear about the rest of your trip, see cute pictures of you and go to school tomorrow to figure out how Shelly figured out how to post on here!!!!!!
Sarah (from MSD)
Oh my goodness its 1:45 a.m. michigan time and i am awake and praying that your meeting goes well with lil YuFeng! I have been so excited for you both! God speed to you and lil Yufeng that you all come HOME safe! Tara and David Anderson
Shonda, Jim and Maelin the three of you make such a stunning family.
I've been talking to Jason about Maelin waiting for name sign so can help him with that. He seems excited as Jason gets if it is not a viedo game
Hi Shonda, Jim, and Maelin Wow!what a stunning family she is truly beautiful
I have been talking to Jason about her and showing the pictures to him he seems excited.
Looking forward to seeing you home with your beatiful little girl
Hi Shonda, Jim & Maelin! Congratulations on your new addition!!! Maelin is a beautiful little girl and the name is also beautiful! We hope everything continues to go well and can't wait to see all of you in person!
Enjoying your blogg site!! Love, Uncle Mike & Aunt Ann!
Oh! You were in Chengdu! Of course, as you said, they didn't let you off the plane and there's no way I could have known... but you were right here! I would have loved to get to meet you! Congratulations on getting Maelin - she is such a darling and I am so happy for you! It's wonderful to see the pics!
Monica
It's Friday night here and just finished reading your updates. You surely do have a busy schedule and how exciting for all the ventures and emotions you are experiencing!! It's good that you are spending this time with Maelin in China. We will be thinking of you at dinner on Easter Sunday, and will look forward to all the little cousins being together in the future. Maelin will fit in quite well with the Gleeson family eating habits!!! Love and good night, Aunt Ann.
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