This morning is the start to our Journey to Grace!!!!!
It started with the TSA declaring a high security level (orange): that translates to REPACKING ALL OF OUR CARRY ON BAGS just before leaving for the airport. Thanks go to my sister April (AuntieApril) for the ride to San Francisco Airport after the wild repacking episode. Thanks to everyone that called during that time to warn us of the security issue.
We did some creative packing by smearing toothpaste on our toothbrushes and placing them in zip locks. We were not allowed water bottles, lotion, or any liquids. In other words ANYTHING THAT COULD POSSIBLY REHYDRATE, MOISTURIZE OR MAKE SIXTEEN HOURS OF AIR TRAVEL TOLERABLE!!
Our last flight brought us into Guangzhou. We all woke up to the announcement to prepare for landing. Hearing the words Guangzhou hit me right in the heart. This is Grace's homeland, we finally made it. Then the tears started to flow...
We were safely transported by our guide Lily (Oh "Lilly,Lilly,Lilly"!)to the Baiyun Hotel near the airport. Our rooms were a welcome sight. Kevin was wild exploring all the amenities...and then there was the bed. The concrete slab with sheets! Kevin's plan was to call the desk and get extra pillows to lay on. Mom was tempted to lay out her sheet of bubble wrap she brought, but thought it may sound like a Chinese fireworks show if she moved at all. Don and I went unconscious immediately.
Off to Fuzhou in the morning and one day closer to Grace.
August 12 -- On Our Way To Fuzhou
Well we woke up this morning after getting only 4 hours of sleep to a lady knocking at our door. Sarah was caught by surprise as she was engaged in a full on conversation and could not understand due to the language barrier (Cantonese), sleep deprivation, and no caffeine. Everyone got ready for the start of the new day, and went to breakfast at the buffet. That was also a challenge with the language barrier. Not to mention the hotel did not serve any liquids other than "soya milk" and tea. Candie went on a mission to find "bottled water", and just imagine the look on the face of the waitresses at the restaurant as Candie tried to explain what she was looking for. One lady went and got a glass of warm tap water. So Candie smiled and said "Thank you", even though she did not get the vaunted "bottled water" that she was seeking. Afterward we went to the cafeteria next door and found bottled water, only one problem...they only accepted RMB...and there we were with only USD. So we handed back the four bottles of water. We returned to the desk and there they provided us with four small bottles of water.
Oh by the way, if you ever fly to Guangzhou via Japan be sure to reset your watch back one hour from Japan time. We had no idea there was a time change between the two, and ended up sitting in the lobby from 10:00 am to 11:30 am waiting for Lily our guide. Imagine our embarrassment when we called her and she told us that it was still early. She told us the pick up time was 11:30 and it was only 10:47 am. Talk about not getting enough sleep.
We got to the airport where Lily help us get through with no problems and off we went on our way to Fuzhou. As we were in the air, Sarah and I kept thinking about all the trials we went thru the past 1 1/2 years. Everything from the LID to delays to unknowns, and here we are now heading to Grace's province. When we touched down a huge feeling of relief overcame us as we were only one day away from meeting our baby girl. So here it is 8:15 pm and tomorrow at approximately 4:00 pm we get to meet Grace, and best of all it will be here at the Lakeside Hotel in Fuzhou where we are staying.
