We are in China

I have been wanting to post, but we didn't have internet in Beijing, except when we were visiting Mei Mei.  I wanted to spend my time getting to know her and not blogging, sorry. 

We had 3 very interesting days.    May 8th- May 9th Our flights were uneventful, which is fine with me.  We had a 4 hour layover in Chicago so we decided to have dinner.  I had been pre warned that airport food was high, but I was still in shock when our big mac and quarter pounder meals was $14.55.  We lucked out and got bulk seating on our flight to Beijing.  I had forgotten how noisy planes were.  For some reason I was expecting it to be peaceful, but no, it was loud and gave me a headache.  Luckily for me the flight from KCI to Chicago was worse and I had already taken some Advil.  We landed in Beijing at 11:35 pm.  This is a huge airport that was basically empty, except for our plane full of people.  We made it to our luggage and everything was there, so we went to find the hotel shuttle.  The shuttle was already gone, because they forgot us, so we ended up taking a cab.  This was interesting, we finally found someone that spoke a little English and loaded up our stuff.  We headed to the hotel and it seemed like it was taking forever to get there.  The driver stopped in the middle of the road and started to turn around.  Abby and I got scared, because it was dark, we had no idea where we were or how to get where we wanted to go.  The driver called someone and they started talking and finally he started driving again and got us to our hotel.

May 10th:  We started the morning trying to get internet and never was able too.  I finally had to text my sister and have her email Serena and let her know we were there.  Later we decided to go to the Lobby and try and get internet, while sitting there, Serena walked into the hotel.  She had been trying to call us but the hotel personnel spoke very poor English and kept hanging up on her.  She took us to Little Flower.  Mei Mei was easy going and allowed me to pick her up and love on her.  The nannies kept telling her I was her momma.  She likes to hit people and the they kept telling her not to hit her momma, they may have been telling her more, but I have no clue what else they were saying.  At lunch I was going to try and feed her and she got really mad.  She was screaming and waving her arms and thrashing her head about.  So, I let her nanny feed her and I just watched.  She would smile and wave at me.  After lunch she was happy to play with me and then there was a birthday party for one of her sweet playmates.  Rose was turning 4.  Mei Mei loved playing with the sunglasses Roses family sent her.  It is a good thing my secret sister set her her very own pair, which I will give her on Gotcha Day.  When it was cake time I sat by Mei Mei and this time she let me help feed her some.  After that I cleaned her up and I went and had my first "real" Chinese lunch.  When it was time to leave Mei Mei gave me a hug and blew me a kiss.  We then we to visit the Great Wall.  We went to a section of the wall called Yellow Flower.  It is not a real tourist area, but it was beautiful and in it natural setting.  (Pictures to come.)

May 11th:  We got up and headed to Little Flower.  When I got there Mei Mei put her arms up for me to pick her up as soon as I got there.  We played with toys, sang, she let me feed her and later we went for a walk outside.  I have pictures, but I can't figure out how to get them off my phone.  We visited the Summer Palace during the afternoon.  Very peacefully and beautiful.

May 12th:  We started the day by going to the Forbidden City.  There were so many people there.  We also went to the silk market.  We bought some shoes, dresses, jewelery and a silk bag.  We  also went to this wonderful noodle restaurant.  I was unsure I would like it, but it was delicious!!!  I would go back there in a heart beat.  Plus they served their drinks cold!!!!!  We then headed to Little Flower to visit Mei Mei one last time before we headed to Taiyuan.  She met us at the door and immediately ask to be picked up.  We enjoyed the evening.  When it was time to leave, our plans were a little messed up and I had to try and communicate with the nannies we needed a taxi to the airport.  They understood enough to get us in touch with Jimmy and he was able to get us a taxi.  The plane ride was good and we were met at the gate by Anna.  Anna took us to the hotel, checked us in and got us to our room.

May 13th:  Our first trip to a Chinese Walmart.  It is quite different from ours.  The carts can move in just about any direction, even sideways.  This comes in handy because they drive their carts just like they drive their cars.  I will post on that later, it is a wild experience.  We then went back to the hotel and rested for about 4 hours.  Before we went to dinner, I decided to make sure I had all the paperwork I needed, so we could pick up Mei Mei.  This is when I discovered our Power of Attorney was missing.  I texted our social worker in a panic, asking where it was and how I was suppose to get it.  I also emailed her and then realized it was like 4 in the morning in the US.  I also called our guide Anna and asked what I was suppose to do.  Since there wasn't anything we could do,  Abby and I decided to go out and try to find dinner.  Anna gave us a map and we headed out.  We walked around town for about 1 1/2 hours and never found the McDonalds or Pizza Hut we were told was there.  We ended up coming home and skipping dinner.

May 14th:  Skyped with Dewey, Daniel, Aaron and Hannah, this really made me homesick!!  Aaron told me to go to the airport and get on a plane and to bring Clara with me.  I told him I couldn't do that yet but would soon.  We finally got our Panda Phone, so we now have another way to contact people.  We are now waiting for 3:30 to come so we can finally pick our sweet Clara Mei up.  I recently got an email that she is running a very high temperature and they started her on antibiotics.  Please pray this keeps her from getting any sicker.  I noticed while I was visiting her that her gtube was oozing some nasty fluid and she was retracting while breathing.  Please, Please pray for her.

Good Bye for now and I will post pictures ASAP.  Gotcha Day is upon us and the time is near.

When I return, we will be Mei Mei's new family!

Suzanne