Friday, October 30, 2009

We're in Beijing!!!

(M3's note: Catherine wrote this and emailed it over for posting because Blogger is blocked in Beijing right now. She sent it at 7am Pacific time on Friday, which was 10pm on Friday in China. I think...?? That's pre-coffee morning math...)

Mom and Dad arrived at my place bright and early at 4:45am Thursday morning. After some last minute packing...putting my clothes in an extra suitcase they had brought for me since I didn't have room for anything but a nightgown in Hannah's suitcase, we were off!! It was surreal to be driving out of the driveway and realize that the next time I entered my home it would be with Hannah in my arms!!!



Norma's hubby had dropped her off at the airport and she was waiting for us when we arrived. (Yes, this was our luggage and didn't include Norma's as she had already checked hers while waiting for us to arrive. Oops!) We checked in and then decided to grab one last cup of Tim's before taking to the skies. Our first flight was about 5 hours long and took us to Vancouver where we had a 3 hour layover before boarding our 10 hour flight to Beijing!!! Cool....we're going to China!!





One of the treats on our 2nd flight was flying over Alaska and seeing these beautiful mountains. They were breathtaking!!



We enjoyed having the individual screens to watch TV and movies and I we were all thankful they were there as it helped to pass the time. Got fidgety a few times but not bad. Caught 2 good naps of over an hour each which is a big help when just sitting there but excited to be reaching our destination!

We arrived in Beijing shortly after 4pm local time on Friday. Wow! We're in China!!! All went well with customs and the temperature checks. We were all glad to get the stamp of approval and be on our way! One of our guides for this trip is Sarah and she met us outside baggage claim. Georgia and Mike (who are adopting Tessa were there too so Sarah took a group pic for us. Not too bad considering we've been travelling for more than 24 hours by this point!





The drive to the hotel took us longer than normal as we hit Friday evening rush hour but it did give us an opportunity to see some of Beijing's beautiful buildings lit up. While we were travelling today we also came across these:

A guy waiting for his wife/girlfriend. Check out that bouquet!! Never have I seen such a bouquet. It was gorgeous!!

Yes, we're in Beijing and squatty potties abound. Norma took a pic of the first one she found. :o) Thankfully we had the option to choose a western style one so that was our preference given the choice!!



OK - MUST go to bed. Only got about an hour and a half sleep last night so my body says it needs sleep! Signing off for today and will post again either tomorrow or Sunday.

Greetings from Beijing!!! Only 3 more sleeps to Hannah!!!!

21 comments:

  1. Yeah!!! I have been thinking of you and dying for an update. SO glad that you made it safe and sound.

    Love ya!!!

    Keep smilin!

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  2. glad that you guys safely arrived in Beijing.
    i was studying while keeping calculating the time and thought you would reach China by now, and then i decided to check your blog again before going to bed, very happy when i saw it was updated, thanks M3


    Hope you can have a great rest tonight... I am so excited for you, and i'll keep you and Hannah and people who are travelling with you in my prayer.

    - A Chinese student currently studying in Australia

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  3. I haven't stopped thinking about you either and can not believe the goosebumps that are on my arms right now after reading this post saying you are in CHINA!!! :o) The smile on ALL your faces says it all!!! Yahooooooooooooo!!!

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  4. Yeah! I am so excited for you! 3 more sleeps!!!! Yippee!!!!

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  5. So glad to hear that you make it! Can't wait to follow along on your journey! Enjoy every minute!!

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  6. YEA!!!!!!! I am so excited for you...it makes me remember the times we landed in China and were so close to our babies.

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  7. Even though Blogger didn't alert me to your post, I KNEW there just had to be one!!!! So exciting!!! WOW...you're in Beijing!!!! Oh Cathy...can you believe it???? Can you bearly stand it???? I'm so excited for you my stomach is doing flip flops!!!

    Love ya, and still praying,
    Joy

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  8. Glad you arrived safely and are now in China with Hannah. Enjoy the sights and take pictures(lots of them). Hope sleep comes easy for the next 3 nights and then you will have Hannah in your arms forever.

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  9. I am so, so excited for you all! Can't wait for Hannah day :-)

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  10. SO very excited for you!

    I'm glad that you had smooth flights over, and that you're safe and sound.

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  11. So glad you are there safe and sound!!!

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  12. This is so exciting! Glad you arrived safe and sound. It's like reliving my own time there 2 years ago. Enjoy every second of it!!

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  13. Will be following along on your incredible journey!!!!!! Enjoy EVERy moment!!!!!!

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  14. Oh my word . . . you're in China!!!!!! and you look great!!!!!

    Waaaaa . . . I think this is ALMOST as exciting for me here in Canada . . . ALMOST!

    k

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  15. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! you're in china!!!!! isn't it so surreal!!!!! i am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy for you catherine!!!!! i cannot wait to see you holding Hannah!!! yippee!!!!!!!!!!!

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  16. I don't even have the words to express how excited I am for you!!

    TWO more sleeps until Hannah is in your arms...TWO!!!

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  17. So glad you made it safe & sound. I am so excited to follow your journey to your sweet baby girl!!

    We will be traveling not too far behind you to pick up our little one as well. I hope you get some rest after your long flight.

    I will be checking back for future updates! Love the pics!!

    Smiles! :o)
    Nikki

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  18. YIPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE YOU MADE TO CHINAAAAAA!!!!!!!!ENJOY EVERY SWEET MOMENT!!!

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  19. woo hoo.... I am so excited for you!!!!!

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  20. So excited for you!! We love reading about every detail; just makes our heart sing for you!!
    You are doing great and so happy for the supporting family members with you. I hope they will be with you once you are home too (they can help you so much in the first month you are home; keep someone with you once you are home too).
    Can't wait to read the next update!!

    Alyzabeth's Mommy for One Year

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  21. Glad you're finally here!! Will be thinking of you both tomorrow as you & Hannah finally meet. Can't wait to hear more and see pictures.

    Oh, and about those squatty toilets ... you must believe me that if you have a choice, chances are the squatty will be the cleaner of the two ... really!!! I avoid the sit down ones because I've seen way too many gross ones (including with foot prints on the seat ... yes!).

    Hugs & hope to hear from you soon!
    Bernice
    (finally in the same time zone again)

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