We have landed!

May 7, 2008 or depending on your perspective, May 8, 2008.
We are on the plane. Kang Kang and I have bulkhead seats. These are an important commodity as they are few but give you much extra leg- room, which I definitely need. I will be able to walk off the plane, That is a good thing.

We got up this morning at a very early hour. No reason, just happened. It took me quite awhile to do the last minute things like unload dishes, wash breakfast dishes, organize for the boy coming to look after the animals. (Anyone want two Degus? Real Cheap?)

We mailed a letter and headed off for the airport at 10:45. Note airport is a 15 minute drive away. Flight was at 2:45. We were early. I had two large suitcases, two largish carry-ons, we each had a backpack, and of yes, the stroller. And one bundle of walkers.  We did on line check in the night before and our timing was impeccable as there was only one person ahead in the line for baggage drop. The line for check in went on and on. And the line was for Asian flights. These people have luggage. I do not think your wheelchairs and walkers was the worst of what the checkin folks would encounter today.

I am smart. At the last minute I grabbed a bag of balloons from the house and blew them up while we were doing the check in stuff. The three kids had a blast in an open space and it kept them out of trouble for awhile at least. Soon after we were done we noticed the line for checkin was now at least 30-40 people. Phew.

Next bad food. Why oh why can airports not put in good restaurants. I go to order a Veggie burger and they tell me it is DEEP FRIED. They have a grill sitting right there. What the F…? (This is a mixed audience Lucy.)

And on to the plane. We were first on. I wanted to make sure we got settled and all my many, many carryons fit in overhead bins next to my seat.  The plane left around 3. It is now close to 10. We were served a drink and a snack. Then a hot supper. Then a small nap. They turned down the lights and closed the shades. They enforce this nap stuff. Then comes a lovely box with a sandwich, cookie and fruit. Who's hungry? We just had dinner. No soon do they finish giving that out when along comes a cup of noodles. Frankly that was the best food so far. And apparently more is yet to come.

I took gravol and a sleeping pill. I am still awake. KK took double his usual dose of gravol. He is still awake, I remain hopeful that this stuff will kick in at some point. It works at home It works for Nancy's kids.  Why not me too? Please? Actually I have trouble falling asleep if KK is awake.

I think Nancy took photos of her luggage. I will try and get a couple when we arrive.

Kang Kang is doing pretty well. He was in anxious question mode for awhile, then settled. At one point he had fallen asleep briefly and woke up teary eyed because he could not sleep. This morning he said he was "worried" about China but cannot articulate fears and denies my suggestions. He is also very excited.

I sure hope our guide is there when we arrive. My Mandarin is quite limited. Although I do have 4 or 5 words.

Yesterday I discovered Skype. For $10 for the month I can use my computer to phone land lines or cell phones in NA from China and also within China.

Ellen Margolese somewhere over the international date line.


Thursday May 8, 2008
We have landed. Kang Kang kept saying "I can't believe are in China." Our hotel is a hutong and is absolutely marvelous. There are about 8 rooms around 2 central courtyards. Beautiful, quiet, Chinese. The kids can play in the courtyard while we sit and drink coffee. That is tomorrow's plan.

Tonight we ventured out to eat at a local restaurant. We were tired so we forgot to ask someone from our hotel, who speaks English, to write down a few items for us. So, we are in this restaurant. We speak no Mandarin. No one there speaks English. Can't quite make out the pictures on the menu. By some extreme stroke of luck I end up with absolutely my favorite Chinese dish, a spicy eggplant. I did get the people in the restaurant to write that down for me. The whole dinner including a large bottle of beer which Nancy and I split, 2 500 ml apple juices, one order dumplings, 1 order noodles, 3 rice and the eggplant- less than $14.

We did not sleep much in the plane but I guess it was enough because I am okay. Kang Kang just fell asleep and it is after 9 pm here so, we should be okay in our adaptation I think. I hope.

Photos will have to come another day. Good night.

The gang in Beijing.