The journey Coming back to china has always been the hardest part of the trip, and this time is no exception. Not just because I have 2 kids with me, but also China has changed, again.
The plane ride was very pleasant after a 3 hours of delay due to a fuel leaking problem. When we finally took off at 5 am, the kids had all fallen asleep on the floor at the airport on top of the blankets. Thanks to the good seats, the kids were able to lay down to sleep most of the way. When we got to Beijing, more complication starts. We had to catch a bus ride from the "gate" to the baggage claim. And among the elevator rides, rain rides, bus rides and finally to the baggage claim, I had come to the conclusion that the new Beijing airport is too complicated for the upcoming Olympics. The worst part is that after I got my 4 hug luggage, I couldn't find anyone at the airport that was willing to help me push my carts out through the custom while I push my 2 kids on the stroller. Some people working at the airport just plainly ignored me when I asked for help to move the cart. When I finally did find someone to help me, it was like a warm welcoming help, it was like "how much will you pay me" type of help. That was a total culture shock to me, what happened to the friendly nation that I had remembered?
I finally met up with my mom outside the custom and then realized we had to take another bus ride from terminal 3 to terminal 2. After getting all the bags and kids/stroller onto the bus, we were on there for a good 30 minutes. But at least the rest of the way was much easier. I have lost a bag or two every time I traveled back to China, but I guess I had too much drama just to get to Beijing, God let me have it easy that all my luggage's appeared on the baggage claim belt all at once. THAT amazed me!
Brandan and lexi both adapted to the people and things here pretty quick. Brandan still remembered my mom and it only took him 2 seconds to warm up to her again. It was sweet to hear him say to my mom "Grandma, I missed you!", but my mom had no clue what he had said. But Brandan gets to be dead spoiled again, and I just know it. Lexi has always been friendly so she warmed up quickly to everyone.
We slept ok last night and were able to have lunch at 11:30 and nap from 12 - 2:30ish. Maybe the kids have switched their time zone already.
We went to a very stylish strip mall today, it had very nice boutique, jewelry store and a very prestige movie theater with Narnia and Ironman as blockbuster. We headed to a book store and helped the kids to pick out a bunch of books. They really enjoyed shopping at the strip mall, so outdoor-ish and the whole area had cool architectural designs and modern colored structures.
After dinner, we headed over to the community park on foot. Only 2 minutes of walk we arrived at this huge park with a small manmade koi pound and bunch of built in metal structures that assembles a gym. Kids and adults were all on those things doing their moon walks and other exercises. No one didn't stop what they were doing to check out Brandan and Lexi, some even followed us for a while. Just to say hi to them!
So I am now officially tired after a descent first day in China. I am going to put the kids to bed and snuggle up with Rachel and have a good night of sleep.
The plane ride was very pleasant after a 3 hours of delay due to a fuel leaking problem. When we finally took off at 5 am, the kids had all fallen asleep on the floor at the airport on top of the blankets. Thanks to the good seats, the kids were able to lay down to sleep most of the way. When we got to Beijing, more complication starts. We had to catch a bus ride from the "gate" to the baggage claim. And among the elevator rides, rain rides, bus rides and finally to the baggage claim, I had come to the conclusion that the new Beijing airport is too complicated for the upcoming Olympics. The worst part is that after I got my 4 hug luggage, I couldn't find anyone at the airport that was willing to help me push my carts out through the custom while I push my 2 kids on the stroller. Some people working at the airport just plainly ignored me when I asked for help to move the cart. When I finally did find someone to help me, it was like a warm welcoming help, it was like "how much will you pay me" type of help. That was a total culture shock to me, what happened to the friendly nation that I had remembered?
I finally met up with my mom outside the custom and then realized we had to take another bus ride from terminal 3 to terminal 2. After getting all the bags and kids/stroller onto the bus, we were on there for a good 30 minutes. But at least the rest of the way was much easier. I have lost a bag or two every time I traveled back to China, but I guess I had too much drama just to get to Beijing, God let me have it easy that all my luggage's appeared on the baggage claim belt all at once. THAT amazed me!
Brandan and lexi both adapted to the people and things here pretty quick. Brandan still remembered my mom and it only took him 2 seconds to warm up to her again. It was sweet to hear him say to my mom "Grandma, I missed you!", but my mom had no clue what he had said. But Brandan gets to be dead spoiled again, and I just know it. Lexi has always been friendly so she warmed up quickly to everyone.
We slept ok last night and were able to have lunch at 11:30 and nap from 12 - 2:30ish. Maybe the kids have switched their time zone already.
We went to a very stylish strip mall today, it had very nice boutique, jewelry store and a very prestige movie theater with Narnia and Ironman as blockbuster. We headed to a book store and helped the kids to pick out a bunch of books. They really enjoyed shopping at the strip mall, so outdoor-ish and the whole area had cool architectural designs and modern colored structures.
After dinner, we headed over to the community park on foot. Only 2 minutes of walk we arrived at this huge park with a small manmade koi pound and bunch of built in metal structures that assembles a gym. Kids and adults were all on those things doing their moon walks and other exercises. No one didn't stop what they were doing to check out Brandan and Lexi, some even followed us for a while. Just to say hi to them!
So I am now officially tired after a descent first day in China. I am going to put the kids to bed and snuggle up with Rachel and have a good night of sleep.
The pictures above. 1 (upper left) view outside of my window. 2 (upper right) Lexi and Poupou goes to the park. 3. (lower) Brandan and Gong-gong goes to the park.
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1 comment:
Wow, I never knew it could be quite a challenge flying to China, not to mention that you had 2 small children with you. I'm glad you made it without any missing luggage. I hope you all have a great time there.
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