Day 1

Friday March 23, 2007 Day 1

After re-packing our suitcases, checking e-mail and saying good-by to our kids over the phone, we arrived at the airport at the appointed time -- 10:15, for a 2:15 flight. After checking in and meeting some interesting people in line, we waited...and waited...and waited. We met a few people from our tour and finally boarded so that we could take off on time. The 12 hour flight to Beijing was LONG, but we were able to talk to some interesting people. The kid sitting next to us was a college student in CA who's family lived in Beijing. He was going home for spring break and was very glad to be getting back. We also met JJ, a young woman who was part of a group that was studying Quijing--a Chinese method of movement and getting in sync with the universe--so she said.

They showed six movies and served three meals, so we kept occupied. The first movie was "The Queen" and they went downhill from there. The food was semi-Chinese: fish and rice for dinner, fried rice for lunch and coconut muffins and a pork roll for breakfast. It was very difficult to sleep--especially at the beginning, when our student friend said was the best time, since it was night in China. We were so excited when we arrived that it didn't seem to matter--we certainly weren't tired!