We Arrived!

July 1st
We made it. After 18 hours, we landed in Beijing. Kailei was a little disappointed that she didn't get to see the "villages of Seattle" but we assured her there would be other opportunities. Kailei was wired and basically didn't fall asleep until the last hour of the flight. Keara went through her activities and took naps off and on.

When we arrived we were greeted by a CCAI/BLAS rep who kindly guided us to the hotel. Apparently we missed the hoopla that occurred when the majority of families arrived this morning. There were tv crews, banners, photo ops and Lily Ni of CCAI was also there.

As we walked down the hall to our rooms we ran into our friends the Peterson's and the Trautman's. We quickly dropped off our bags and headed to dinner with them over at the Szechuan House. Good food and reasonably priced. It was a bit of a challenge to get our food ordered but we managed. I found out there was a Baskin Robbins in the hotel so we naturally had to head there after dinner. I love having the comforts of home nearby while I'm in China.

The girls are doing well. I am slowly fading and Zeb is already asleep so I better sign off as we have an early morning ahead of us.

Nerves

So Kailei woke up thinking we had a few more days until we leave for China and was surprised to find out that we were actually leaving tomorrow morning.  She is beyond excited.  Keara is a little nervous.  She worries.  Worries about getting lost, worries about getting sick, worries about it all.  I'm trying to keep her close and help her through it all.  Zeb and I are excited but it is shadowed by the items will still need to get accomplished - namely packing.  Nothing like leaving it until the last minute.  Thank goodness we have today.  I'm probably looking more forward to the fact that Zeb and I will be unable to work and that is a good thing.  It will be nice to be unplugged and just focused on the adventure before us.  We wish we could take family and friends with us on our journey but will be thinking of you all often.  Say a prayer that we return safely. 

Kailei's Adoption Video

Since this is all trip has so much to do with Kailei it only seemed right to view her adoption video again.  I watched it with her and it brought tears to both our eyes. 

See the video here again if you want.

China Hype

We received the following emails regarding our trip.  We are kind of a big deal apparently.

Dear 2012 Heritage Tour Families,

As the 2012 Heritage Tour is the largest ever it is becoming a huge news event in China even before it begins!

We've just received notice from the CCCWA that China Central Television (CCTV), People’s Daily, Daily News and several other national Chinese news media will cover the entire trip and broadcast your journey to an audience of 1.3 billion Chinese people! 

The CCTV would like to interview some brave families and adopted children, especially those children who have achieved an amazing accomplishment in any fields.  If possible, please bring any awards, certificates, pictures, newspaper reports, or TV footage your child has received to show them off to the reporters. 

Also, CCTV would like to talk to families who adopted children with special needs.  They are interested in doing reports on children who achieve excellence despite their physical conditions (those who were adopted as a child with special needs).

In addition, CCTV would love to talk to you if your family or adopted children have been keeping regular communication with his or her orphanage.  We presume they would like to showcase the role of orphanages in supporting adopted children.

If you are interested in being interviewed, please let us know so we can forward your information to China.

Thank you!!!

CCAI Travel Team

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We have just learned that Mr. Li Liguo, the Minister of China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, wants to personally welcome all of you at the famous Great Hall of the People, the Chinese Capital Hills, in the afternoon of July 4, 2012.

Minister Li is a cabinet member of the Chinese central government and is in charge, besides many of his other national responsibilities, of China’s international adoption.  He has been a strong supporter and advocate for international adoption.  Minister Li will give each visiting adopted child a gift at the welcome ceremony.

We are very honored to have him welcome us and we hope you will enjoy this very special moment!

Sincerely,

CCAI Travel Team

Countdown to China

In a few short days we will be leaving for China.  I'm excited, anxious, nervous and numerous other emotions.  Somehow this snuck up on us but ready or not we leave Sunday morning.

Our itinerary is as follows....

July 2. MONDAY

• Arrival day in Beijing.

July 3. TUESDAY

• Visit the Great Wall  
• Visit a Jade Factory on the way.
• Tian’an Men Square
• Optional: visit Forbidden City on own

July 4. WEDNESDAY

• Visit China Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption, and Chinese Culture classes there
• Visit Temple of Heaven
• Visit a Silk Factory
• Take Hutong tour by rickshaw with dinner at a local family house

July 5. THURSDAY

• Take flight to Xi’an
• Visit Terra Cotta Soldiers
• Enjoy Tang Dynasty Show

July 6. FRIDAY

• Ride bicycle at Ancient Wall
• Take flight to Chengdu
• Enjoy Sichuan Opera (mask-changing show)

July 7. SATURDAY  

• Visit famous Panda Reserve
• Enjoy tea at a local park and experience local people’s life

July 8. SUNDAY

• Take flight to Guilin
• Learn Chinese Painting at a local park
• Visit Elephant Trunk Hill

July 9. MONDAY

• Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
• Enjoy the magical folk tale performance the “Impressive Liu Sanjie”

July 10. TUESDAY

• Learn to make Chinese food at a Cooking school
• Visit a Pearl factory
• Farewell dinner

JULY 11. WEDNESDAY

• Take flight to Guangzhou to connect flight to Changsha

July 12. THURSDAY

• Drive to Hengyang

July 13. FRIDAY

• Visit the orphanage
• Drive back to Changsha

July 14. SATURDAY

• Take flight to Beijing to connect flight home

Kailei-ism's

Conversation overhead on a bike ride with the girls...

Kailei: Why do you keep passing me up Keara?
Keara: Because you are so slow.
Kailei: Well...that is true.
Keara: Where are we going anyway?
Kailei: I think the middle of nowhere.

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At the beauty salon I told Kailei that her hair looked nice.  She said, "Yeah, people do love me." 

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Kailei was talking was wearing a tradition Vietnamese outfit today and was taking about her belly showing through it. Zeb told her it would be a mistake if his belly every showed.  She replied in a sing-song voice, "Cuz' you're too hairy!"

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Mom: Would you like some soup Kailei?
Kailei: Yes, I believe it would help my spirit soar.

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"I'm drinking a Capri Sun because I think it makes you good at sports.  See? There is a guy on here playing soccer."

Zeb's Anniversary Card to Me