Saturday, May 2, 2009

Ni Hao from Beijing!!!











Sorry it's been a while since we updated! We are in the hotel's internet cafe, since we are having problems with our laptop here!


Well, where to begin? Our first flight from Pittsburgh was uneventful and quick, only 50 minutes. We then were to have a 2 hour layover in Newark, but it ended up being 4 hours since the plane was having mechanical problems, not what we wanted to hear before a 13 hour flight.



We finally took off, and let me tell you honestly, that flight was brutal-B-R-U-T-A-L! BUT, you would not believe what we encountered when we finally landed in Beijing around 3pm. We were told to stay seated becasue Chinese health officials were coming aboard. Everyone had to fill out a health evaulation form, stating if they've been around pigs or people with the flu, and etc. What happened next was like out of a movie, a handful of officials came onto the plane, dressed in head to toe white jumpsuits, goggles, and masks. You could only see their eyes. It was surreal. People were standing up taking pictures of them left and right- not sure if they apprecited that or not. We did get some shots when we finally, an hour later,we were allowed to deboard. 2 other health officials were waiting at the plane door when we stepped out, with some sort of infared temperature taker they aimed at your head. More officials were standing at the bottom armed with tanks and sprayers of chemicals. Again-unforgettable and unreal!


So, we then had to go through quarantine inspection, immigration, baggage, and customs-what a long day! We finally finished at the airport and arrived at our hotel around 7 pm. We had been awake since 2 am the previous morning-I was jetlagging hard, although we managed to go to bed around 9 and got up around 5, so that was pretty good. We then had breakfast in the lobby, and are to meet our guide at 2 pm to take us to the airport to fly to Taiyuan, where we should land at 6:20.


We are hoping to have better internet there, and hopefully better luck with the adapters. Danny ended up blowing a fuse in our room, and succeeded in frying my hair straightener-so, no laughing at my hair while we are over here!


Well, we need to go look over some paperwork and finish up our packing. We hope to post some more once we get Chloe!

8 comments:

  1. Way to go! That is such a funny story now that it's all worked out. Something that you'll never forget for sure!
    I'm glued to my seat in anticipation for you guys!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for sharing your experience. Not quite the way you dreamed of landing in Beijing I'm sure! Have a great trip!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What were the tanks and chemicals for? I'm watching your blog like crazy as we're trying to decide whether to travel or not. I really appreciate the updates about the whole flu thing. Does it feel scary/intimidating with all the inspections, or is it no big deal???

    ReplyDelete
  4. One more question...did your flight go straight from the U.S. to Beijing? I just read someone else's blog and they stopped in Tokyo where they were thermo scanned, but then they didn't have anything in Guangzhou. So maybe it's only for the first stop from the U.S.???

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm so sorry, what a fiasco!! It's so good
    to here that you made it there safely!! I
    cant wait to see you with your precious girl!

    Hugs,
    Sindy

    ReplyDelete
  6. So glad you made it safe and sound and that so far, swine flu has not hampered your plans! You'll have to give me all your notes on how not to blow a fuse because I don't think I could make it without my straightener! LOL So excited for you to get her - can't wait to read that post!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Angie, It's so great to see you there and almost with your sweet baby girl. What a crazy scene at the airport. Wow! I hope you are getting some rest. I'll be following along and keeping you in my prayers.

    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh YAY!!!! I'm so glad you are so close to holding your precious girl in your arms!! I have been following on pins and needles and have prayed for safe travels for your family. Can't wait to see you get your girl.
    Boy that experience in Beijing seemed like it was straight out of the Twilight Zone.
    So excited for you!
    Susan harpring

    ReplyDelete