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Friday-Saturday, December
30-31, 2005
It was 9:00 pm and for the first time in my life, I was packed
and ready to head out the door hours before the flight was
scheduled to leave. This is a major feat considering I have
pleaded with gate attendants to let me on the plane when the
gates have closed in the past - Of course no such luck. I
always was the first passenger on the next scheduled flight.
Or for that matter, I have gotten to the airport after the
flight has left. Howard was truly impressed as I am sure he
was preparing himself for a stressful ride to JFK
International Airport.
Tata and Chloe came over to help
us get the last details finished and to drive us to the
airport with Papa June and Matthew. We had a caravan of two
cars, four huge bulging suit cases, two extremely and heavy
carry ones and other miscellaneous shopping bags and things
that needed to be stuffed into any place that had room in our
bags. We got to the airport with plenty of time and Aunt
Michele and grandma where there waiting to see us off. What a
nice gathering of family we had for the last few hours before
boarding. Aunt Shari, Uncle Ken and Melly and Lindsay called
us at the airport to say farewell too!
Our flight took off at 12:30 am of
December 31st. We flew Asiana Airlines to Seoul Korea. The
flight was really quite pleasant considering we were in coach
for 14 hours. The service was great and the plane was not
full. I think we celebrated New Year's Eve in several time
zones. For sure we were in the air Korea time when it was
12:00 am and then when we landed in China we were able to call
home from the airport and celebrate New Year's on the phone
with Papa, Tata, Chloe and Matthew New York time.
Saying goodbye to Matthew was very
hard for both of us. We miss him so much and think about him
all the time. I know he is having a great time with his Papa
June and with Tata and Chloe too. Aunt Michele and Grandma are
seeing him on Sunday and with all the playdates and after
school activities I have scheduled for him I think he will be
just fine.
We arrived in China, in Guangzhou
at 12:00 pm on January 1st. I know it sounds crazy but we
spent three days (and two years) in airports and airplanes
(December 30th, 31st and January 1st) but over the course of
22 hours. Isn't that wild!
Our guide Rebecca met us at the
airport. Of course we were the last to come out of Immigration
and she thought something had happened to us. I am still not
sure why we were the last ones out. When she saw our luggage
I think she was very surprised. Thank goodness we flew with
Asiana Airlines. they allow 2 suitcases per person totally 140
lbs. This is great because we bought a seat for Brooke on
the way home so we can buy two more suitcases to fill up. The
bags we brought left us with no room for shopping shopping and
more shopping.
Rebecca is absolutely lovely and I
am sure we will have a very nice time with her. She is full of
energy and very very friendly.
Happy New Year Everyone!
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