Train Ride to Xi'an

We had a great experience taking the overnight train to Xi'an.  Our guide Michelle and driver picked us up about 6:00 PM to take us to the train station.  Traffic is horrible, but our driver did a great job getting us there in one piece.  I've never seen people drive like this, but Robin keeps telling me this is just like Kenya!  She lived there 2 years and taught 3rd Grade at Rosslyn Academy for Missionary and Diplomatic kids.

The train station was amazing.  So many people trying to fit into one place!  Here's pictures of us with our guide Michelle in the train station.

Robin, her folks, and Michelle our Guide

We loved Michelle!  She could do anything and herded us along and got us onto the train and into our cabin.  While we were boarding the train, Michelle received a phone call about our luggage.  China Air would be delivering our luggage to the hotel in Beijing, not Xian!  Praise the Lord.... there would be no way we could manage additional baggage if you look at the pictures below.

Hall of our train

You got it!  Yep a "Squatty Potty"

Happy Couple after a Night on the Train - still smiling!

The countryside was very beautiful as we approached Xi'an.  They grow al ot of corn in the fields that line the railroad tracks.  Seemed like every piece of vacant land was used to grow something on it!  We also saw an Olympic training center located beside the railroad tracks.  Very beautiful surrounding to train for the Olympics!
 

Countryside on the way into Xi'an

Beijing Day 1 - Wanderings

As I mentioned in the previous post, it was raining cats and dogs in the morning.  Robin and her folks didn't want to get out, so I headed out from our hotel just to see some of the sights.  Had a great time.  Here are a few pictures around the Qianmen Jianguo Hotel.

After lunch, the rain stopped and we decided to head out towards the Temple of Heaven.  Our guide Michelle recommended this since we were in walking distance of the park. This temple was completed during the Ming Dynasty (1400s).  It was here that the emperor would make sacrifices and pray to heaven and his ancestors at the winter solstice.  We walked a lot this afternoon, but it felt good to get out and about before we traveled to Xi'an on an overnight train. 

West Gate to Temple of Heaven



Long Walk to Mound that Contains the Temple of Heaven



East meets West - Traditional Chinese Man meets Weed Wacker!

Base of Temple of Heaven

Interior of Temple of Heaven

Ceiling of Temple of Heaven

First Day in Beijing

We promised to post some pictures of breakfast, but the photos didn't turn out!  Oh well, the breakfast buffet was very good.  A nice selection of western and Chinese food.  It's raining cats and dogs, but we are going to venture out and head to the Temple of Heaven and get some water.  We had a good nights sleep and we feel pretty good.  Hopefully, we won't have any jet lag.  We head to Xian tonight on an overnight train.  If I get time, I'll post some pictures from our wanderings today.  If not, I'll post tomorrow from Xian.  Should be an great experience riding a train!

Made it Beijing .....

What a day, but we made it to Beijing.  We started the day off in Idaho Falls catching the 5:54 AM flight to Denver.  Since we had to make arrangements so late, Robin and I could not sit together.  As luck would have it, the largest lady in the airport came walking down the aisle and sat next to me!  She asked for one of those expanders for the lap belt.  I thought to myself, this could be a looooong day!  As we were preparing to leave, a light cover in the interior of the plane fell off.  According to the FAA, we couldn't leave until it was repaired by a "certified" mechanic.  Oh, boy... we only have a 1 hour layover in Denver!!!  Only connection we could make without spending a night somewhere.  Well, it took just over an hour to fix the plane.  Off to Denver and when we got off the plane we stopped an agent and asked about our plane to SF and if it had left.  The guys was really nice, but said it had just left!

Down to United Customer service (stop 1) we went.  We stood in line for about 15 minutes.  There was only one agent there and then she said, you'll have to go to to the main customer service center for international flights down by gate 39 - I have to go load a plane.  OH MY!!!  we are only a few hours in and looks like this will be an adventure!  We headed down to gate 39 (stop 2) and the agent there said - you have been rebooked for tomorrow, the same time.  We said we had to get to Beijing today, not tomorrow.  She pounded away on the keyboard and got us seats on Air China out of SF (initially, she wanted us to fly to Dulles and then to China!).  She wasn't able to get us boarding passes, but said you have seats confirmed but will have to check in with Air China in SF.  Off we went and made it to SF with no further issues.  We found the gate in SF for our Air China flight and checked in.  We had seats!!!!!  NOW... if our luggage will only make it as well (the saga continues..)

We landed in Beijing and headed through immigration webt to get our luggage.  We waited until all the luggage had been delivered and ours was no where to be seen!  Off to Air China customer service (stop 3) and see what can be done.  They were very friendly and found that our luggage was still in SF and wouldn't get here until tomorrow this time (6:00 PM).  We are supposed to be on an overnight train to Xian at that time!  What do we do now....  Fortunately, Robin packed our Xian clothes in our carry-ons!  WHAT A GAL!!!!!  Now we just had to convince the agent not to sent our luggage to Xian since we will be back in Beijing to catch up with our adoption group on Thursday.  He had a hard time understanding this, so we took a phone number and case number and headed out to meet the our guide Michelle (Sun Travel) to take us to our hotel.  It was so nice to see her and be able to let her get us to the hotel.  She also called Air China and got our luggage thing straightened out and it will be delievered to the hotel we will be staying at in Beijing!  She is GREAT!!!! 

Now the ride to the hotel....  Michelle and our driver took us to our hotel.  What a ride!  Our driver was amazing weaving in and out of traffic.  Never mind the lanes painted on the road - those are only suggestions. All said and done, we made it to our hotel and got checked in.  The hotel is very nice (note for those of our adoption travel group!).  We'll fill you in on the breakfast buffet tomorrow.

It's getting late and I'm tired.  Here's a few pictures!

Leaving the House

At the Idaho Falls Airport

Air China Flight to Beijing

We're Off.....

Quick post - we are up and heading to the airport!  The adventure begins......

Bags Packed - Ready to GO!

Robin has been busy getting everything packed for the trip.  We just finished up packing everything and thought we'd include a picture.

Few more things to do around the house tomorrow  - mow, trim flowers and such - and we are ready to go.  We leave for the airport Saturday and fly out at 5:54 AM.

Updated Itinerary - Travel Conference Call

Today we received our final itinerary from CCAI.  We also had our Travel Conference Call.  Here's the final itinerary:

August 25                            Depart Idaho Falls

August 26                            Arrive Beijing  

August 27 - 30                     Visit Xi’an - Terracotta Soldiers

August 31 & September 1     Meet our Adoption Travel Group and visit Beijing

September 2                        Depart Beijing and travel to Zhengzhou, Henan Province

September 3                        “Gotcha Day”

September 4                        Complete Adoption Registration.  Travel to Hebi

                                           in afternoon

September 5, 6 & 7              Free Days (to bond as a family), receive notary documents

                                          and her Chinese passport

September 8                        Depart Zhengzhou & travel to Guangzhou

September 9                        Free Day – go to church

September 10                      Maddison receives a physical exam, visa photo taken

September 11                      Free Day (to bond as a family), prepare paperwork for 

                                          Consulate appointment

September 12                      U.S. Consulate Appointment

September 13                      Receive Visa Packet and Travel to Hong Kong

September 14                      Visit Hong Kong

September 15                      Depart Hong Kong, arrive Idaho Falls - 8:25PM

The count for today is...

           Yes, you heard me

                                 days.

That's right

             days till Maddison. 

Thank you, Lord,  for this special little gal.

~ Robin