We're in China!!

When I tell you...the longest flight in history was made by four nearly sane adults and the cutest baby boy in life. WHEW!!!

Okay...I know...the 'longest flight in history' is a lil' over the top, but I have no other description at the moment. The ride was smooth, but our feet were fat! Yep...club feet were in da house! Dwayne was too cute when he woke up to find that he could hardly get his shoes on. Of course we had gotten up several times during the flight to stretch our legs, but we didn't realize the effect until it was time to get off. Oh boy! How would we manage this!

After the good byes and well wishes from the cuties, we enter yet another huge airport. We didn't have to walk too far before we were greeted by an entourage of men who looked happy to see us all. Introductions went around and God knows, the names were hard to grasp. We didn't give a damn...we were in China!

We are escorted through the airport to an area where everybody wore uniforms...police uniforms, mind you. Customs...that's what it was called. The lines were long and the uniformed people looked at us from head to toe and back again. Oh my, I thought, what are we in for? Back in the states, the security process soon became a headache after we realized that at each checkpoint, Sarah had to be cavity searched...for nothing!! That same 'happy' sistah in Austin had flagged Sarah's ticket so that she would be pulled to the side and damn near stripped before we could proceed. For the love of Jesus, let us be able to breeze through this last one, okay? ...and we did!! The uniforms even opened a private line for the blind man and baby boy in tow. Now...that's what we're talking about! Can we get some respect??

The men from the entourage were waiting patiently and the vans were at curbside. It was time for us to part ways. Brannen, Sarah and Miles were placed in one van; Dwayne and I in the other. We had our own personal guide and driver; so did they. The hour drive to our apartments was filled with chatter and laughter...and trying to understand what the hell they were REALLY saying!!

We get into the city and it's beautiful. Darkness had taken over the skies, but the lights from the city were bright. Skyscrapers were in full bloom. I had never seen anything like it! Dwayne just listens as I go on and on...I love him for that! The magazines did little justice to what the country girl was admiring. WOW!!

Finally, our apartment. The place where we'll be living for the next few months. The building was situated among several others...they almost looked alike! We'll soon find out that this was true. There are 20 million people living in this city...and they DON'T live on the streets! We're on the first floor...praise God. And it's cold. The elevator, the hallway...oh boy! #104, our room number...as they call it. Nice! Really nice! Dark hardwood floors, three bedrooms, living, dining, kitchen and bathroom...only one. We'll deal with it. Windows in every room...love it!

There's only a few minutes to drop our bags, look around and try the bathroom. Our guide, Valent, has a few must do's and don't do's to discuss before heading back out the door. Dwayne and I are praying silently that we learn to understand what this guy is really saying...the language is something to reckon with...especially their English!!