We Are in China!
Well, we survived the 12 hour flight. Jack was a champion flier! He slept for about 2 hours at the end and kept himself entertained the other 10 hours. Thank God for DVD players, crayons, Captain Underpants books, wondercolor markers and making forts under the seats with all the blankets!
We arrived in Beijing at 3:30 pm China time. Everything went smoothly from getting our luggage,to going through customs to finding our guide. The things I noticed right away in the bus ride to our hotel were the pollution, the crazy drivers and the building/construction going on. There are cranes everywhere and downtown Beijing is filled with skyscrapers. Our guide told us Beijing is denser in population and buildings than New York City and covers more land. One interesting thing she told us was that Beijing is build in "rings." The center ring is Tianamian Square. Our hotel is in the second ring-north. The airport is in the 4th ring NW. Olympic Village is in the 5th ring south. The second ring was built in the 1970's and it has been growing outward since. She said it is very easy to find your way around the city once you get use to the "ring" system. It makes sense to me!
We fell into bed at around 6:30 after Tim got back from the grocery store to buy bottled water. Tim woke up at 2:30 am and snuck out of the room. He walked for 2 hours up some of the big avenues around our hotel. He said there were meat sellers still out selling meat on a stick and lots of people waiting to catch the bus. The excavator across the street from our hotel never stopped all night. He said the streets were VERY clean with no litter.
Jack and I woke up at 4:00 am and we have been reading and hanging out. It is now around 6:00. Today we are going to visit a Hutong- which is an old neighborhood in Beijing that has very narrow streets and one story homes that you can go in. The people actually let you in. There are lots of antique stores in this area where you can see crickets in little cages. The Hutongs are becoming extinct in Beijing due the construction. They will probably be gone in 10 years, according to our guide. Tonight at 5:00 we plan to see an Chinese acrobatic show. We will probably be in bed by 7:00. Tomorrow is the big tour with the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Tianamein square.
Jack keeps saying, "Mom, I can't believe we are in China to get Lily." I must admit I was overcome with emotion when we were walking through the airport because I can't believe we are here either.
I will post photos soon.
Lisa,Tim and Jack
We arrived in Beijing at 3:30 pm China time. Everything went smoothly from getting our luggage,to going through customs to finding our guide. The things I noticed right away in the bus ride to our hotel were the pollution, the crazy drivers and the building/construction going on. There are cranes everywhere and downtown Beijing is filled with skyscrapers. Our guide told us Beijing is denser in population and buildings than New York City and covers more land. One interesting thing she told us was that Beijing is build in "rings." The center ring is Tianamian Square. Our hotel is in the second ring-north. The airport is in the 4th ring NW. Olympic Village is in the 5th ring south. The second ring was built in the 1970's and it has been growing outward since. She said it is very easy to find your way around the city once you get use to the "ring" system. It makes sense to me!
We fell into bed at around 6:30 after Tim got back from the grocery store to buy bottled water. Tim woke up at 2:30 am and snuck out of the room. He walked for 2 hours up some of the big avenues around our hotel. He said there were meat sellers still out selling meat on a stick and lots of people waiting to catch the bus. The excavator across the street from our hotel never stopped all night. He said the streets were VERY clean with no litter.
Jack and I woke up at 4:00 am and we have been reading and hanging out. It is now around 6:00. Today we are going to visit a Hutong- which is an old neighborhood in Beijing that has very narrow streets and one story homes that you can go in. The people actually let you in. There are lots of antique stores in this area where you can see crickets in little cages. The Hutongs are becoming extinct in Beijing due the construction. They will probably be gone in 10 years, according to our guide. Tonight at 5:00 we plan to see an Chinese acrobatic show. We will probably be in bed by 7:00. Tomorrow is the big tour with the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Tianamein square.
Jack keeps saying, "Mom, I can't believe we are in China to get Lily." I must admit I was overcome with emotion when we were walking through the airport because I can't believe we are here either.
I will post photos soon.
Lisa,Tim and Jack
posted by Lisa, Tim, and Jack at
1:47 PM
7 Comments:
Glad you are there and ok - I was anxiously awaiting your posting.
mom
By
Anonymous, at 3:24 PM
Hey,
Its Brenda, your old pal from school! I am so jazzed for all of you! I am speachless that the day has finally come. Your going to bawl! I love that your able to communicate through this blog! Lil has one great family! Your coming to GET HER! Bring your daughter home and then bring her for SHOW AND TELL!!!!! Be safe, have fun, and take tons of pics!
By
Anonymous, at 5:58 PM
This is so exciting! Thank you for letting us all be a part of this. We talk about your adventure each day at school and can't wait to have you and Jack introduce us to Lily. Enjoy every minute! What a fabulous experience!
Love, Carlee
By
Anonymous, at 7:29 PM
to jacklove bridget
to lily love bridget
"Have fun. I can't wait to meet Lily"
Sounds like the flight went well. We're looking forward to getting more updates. This is so cool! The Bergmans
By
Anonymous, at 7:36 PM
Hi,
Wow, what a journey. Your story made me feel like I was there. I read it around 8:30 tonight, so you're probably already off to your next day's adventure.
I'm glad you guys are safe and having fun.
Mary :)
By
Anonymous, at 8:33 PM
Hi Jack, Lisa & Tim, Your blog is so exciting, the trip of a lifetime and bringing home my granddaughter. Jack I hope you will remember this all your life. Thinking of you all the time and wondering what you are doing. What is the time difference between China and VT? Grammie
By
Grammie, at 8:23 AM
Wow, I can't believe just 1 more day. Glad you all made it there safe. Nicholas said there is "no way Jack was a good boy for that long, he is awesome." Benjamin wants to hear about the Pandas and the acrobat show. Have fun climbing the Great wall today. I think the time difference is about 13 hours from Mountain time. Marilou asked that question so about 11 hours for her I think. Almost 1/2 day difference! Hard to keep track though.
P
By
Anonymous, at 8:39 AM
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