February 23- We're in China!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot believe it!!!! We are in Elizabeth's country of birth!!!!!

We left our home Wednesday morning at 11:00 AM, flew out of Atlanta at 5:30 PM to Los Angeles. We had about a 4 hour layover there (horrible airport, by the way). We boarded the plane to China and had a 15 hour flight to China. We arrived here Friday morning here in Guangzhou at 7:00 AM (which would be 6:00 PM Thursday night in Georgia- y'all are 13 hours behind us).

I had NO idea how hard a 15 hour flight would be. Not only was it incredibly long, but I discovered just how claustrophobic I am!!!!

We were greeted by CCAI's wonderful hosts at the airport- Kathy and Jocelyn. They picked us up and brought us and other families in our travel group to the famous White Swan Hotel on Shamian Island in Guangzhou. This is such a beautiful hotel! We are definitely being spoiled here.
We've spent our day today getting settled into the hotel and walking around Shamian Island. This is such a lovely place and very unlike any other area in China- it was once a British and French settlement so the architecture reflects that style.

We ate lunch at the famous restaurant called Lucy's. It's supposed to have more American style food. While not as good as if we were in America, we'll probably go again before we leave.

OH!!!! Major news flash!!!!!! Most of y'all know that I am a HUGE Diet Coke fan. Well, they do NOT have Diet Coke here!!! They have something called Coke Light that they said tasted just like Diet Coke, BUT IT DOESN'T!!!!!!!! So I will not be able to have a Diet Coke until March 9 when we get to Los Angeles!!!!!!!

We are all more tired than any of us ever imagined we would be. We all look forward to a long nights sleep tonight. However, the beds are as hard as a rock!! So I guess our backs will have to get used to them before we can sleep really really well.
Tomorrow we have a big group meeting and may have a group dinner at a local Chinese restaurant (surprise!!).

PLEASE keep praying for us!! And PLEASE pray for Elizabeth!! Her world is going to be completely changed in a mere 2 days.

More later!!!!!!

Comments

We are glad to here that you made it safely there. we will be praying for a good first meeting with Elizabeth. We will also be praying for your safe and good visit and safe return.In God We Trust EverythingDavid
Posted by: David & Melissa M. on February 23, 2007 at 03:51 A.M.

Hi guys. We are glad that you made it. Try the Green Apple Fanta's from the 7-11. They are wonderful :). We are saying our prayers for you guys. Jennifer C.
Posted by: Jennifer on February 23, 2007 at 05:36 A.M.

Good morning. I am so glad you made the trip ok.I hope you have a good visit. I know you can't wait to have Elizabeth in your arms. I also continue to pray for all of you.Helen P.
Posted by: Helen on February 23, 2007 at 05:51 A.M.

Glad to hear that you have made it safely!!!!Just so you know, I don't have a lot of sympathy for you regarding the diet coke, the beds, and how tired you would be when you got there. I WARNED YOU!!!!!!!In all seriousness, congratulations!!!!! Have a wonderful trip and bring Elizabeth home safely!!!!!CrisFather of Emilie-Ann JieYu and Leah FuXiao
Posted by: Cris Ward on February 23, 2007 at 06:07 A.M.

Yay! You're there! I'm so glad you had a safe trip, and I can't wait to hear all about your first days with Elizabeth. We love you guys!Lisa
Posted by: lisa hoffman on February 23, 2007 at 06:18 A.M.

I'm SO excited for you. Reading your post I almost cried. I know you will have a trip of a lifetime. It's Friady night there, so when you wake...only one more day to Elizabeth! It's in times like these that you experience God in such a big way. We'll be praying!Melissa
Posted by: Melissa Ward on February 23, 2007 at 06:22 A.M.

So glad you made it there safely. I agree with you about the claustrophobia thing on the plane. But the tight plane and hard beds are worth it. I can't wait to see Elizabeth in your arms!!!
Posted by: Kim on February 23, 2007 at 06:41 A.M.

SORRY!!!!.....I forgot about Coke LITE!!!!.....diet does not translate into madarin AND ppl will not buy something with diet on the lable. The Chinese are not pre-occupied with dieting like we Americans are. Try the deli on the same side street as the White Swan, when you come out the street side doors go to your left, the have great bakery items and yummy yougurts to drink!!!!!!........take care, Sals
Posted by: Sally on February 23, 2007 at 07:19 A.M.

I look forward to keeping up with you journal each day. In 2004, we found the best meal in all of China at a restaurant on Second Avenue on Shamian Island, a steak that tasted like steak, ice cream that tasted like home....Have a blessed journey. Robbie
Posted by: Robbie Mattox on February 23, 2007 at 07:37 A.M.

I'm so excited for you! I hope everything goes well and we will be praying for Miss Elizabeth. We once went to the coke museum in Atlanta and tried drinks form China, and you're right, it tastes horrible. Drink bottled water, there isn't much they can do to mess that up.
Posted by: Becky, Marcus, and Madelyn McGhee on February 23, 2007 at 08:11 A.M.

Wow!! So glad you made it okay. Rest today and get ready for the time of your lives! I can't wait to see pics of you with Elizabeth. Go to the Thai restaurant on Shamian Island-it was my favorite!! Tell Kathy hi from Anne, Gunther and Alexandra-travel group 1078!I am loving reading your blog!
Posted by: Anne, Gunther and Lexie on February 23, 2007 at 08:11 A.M.