On our way to Nanchang

On our way to Nanchang This morning we left Beijing to fly to Nanchang. We will stay here until Friday. Nanchang is a southern city in China - it is warmer similar to Virginia temperatures. The belief in China is to keep homes VERY WARM - most American families who visit keep the windows open and are still quite warm. Nanchang is very busy - the traffic is really crazy in China - there are lots of cars, everyone beeps their horn and people make their own lanes all the time. There are also lots of mopeds buzzing around the city. Our guide, Echo, told us to be very careful in front of the hotel when walking. It is easy to spot us - we are the only pedestrians RUNNING across the street - traffic comes from both ways and at night many mopeds do not have lights. It has been quite comical. At dinner, we asked our guide if she had any accidents and she said in China they do not call it "hits" - just scratches. Many Chinese will "scratch" other cars or people and say - "That's okay". We saw a lady who was "scratched" by a car in Beijing and she literally looked at the car to see if it was okay, gave the driver a thumbs up about the car and then proceeded to the sidewalk. We explained to our guide in America if someone was hit, it was likely 5 attorney firms would magically appear offering business cards and advice to explain "WE MEAN BUSINESS" before anyone would leave the scene of an accident! We arrived in Nanchang around 1:45 and on the ride to the hotel, she explained our daughters were coming to us tomorrow morning (New Year's Eve) instead of this afternoon. It was disappointing, but on the other hand, it was nice to have extra time last night, to unpack , rest, shop at the Super Market, and enjoy one more dinner with the Divis, a family from Ohio, we have really had a great time traveling with during this journey. After arriving at the hotel we checked in. Shortly after arriving housekeeping arrived with a crib, stroller, and baby bathtub - this was exciting for us! Next, we all met in the lobby to walk to a grocery store to purchase bottled water. The grocery store is like a Super Target or Wal Mart with a floor for fresh food, and then you take a sloping escalator to another floor for other items - clothes, televisions, blankets, books, etc. I loved seeing all the Asian families - many had more than one child - they were all so cute! Everyone was staring at the "American families" shopping. I was happy to find Coke Zero! I looked at the Children's Books, but the selection was small and I did not recognize any of the titles. We walked back to the hotel and then met again for dinner -another short walk from the hotel. It was great to be outside in cold, but comfortable, temperatures to walk to places. In China it is common to have private rooms available to eat in as group. Since smoking is allowed in restaurants, hotels, etc. we ate in a private room. Food is also served family style - tonight we had eggplant, spicy chicken, sweet and sour pork, fried rice, eggplant egg roll, and another vegetable. We had an enjoyable meal with lots of conversation. Meals in China are similar to European meals, lasting a long time, - much different than the "hurry up and eat" American style. We walked back to the hotel and our guide showed us where we would meet in the morning to meet our daughters. Tonight we organized the room, set out Kristin's clothes. sterilized bottles, packed the diaper bag, etc in preparation for tomorrow morning. Tomorrow will be a busy day with paperwork to fill out at the hotel - this will take about 1 hour or more. In the afternoon we travel as a family for our "interview" - this whole process will take about 3 hours before returning to the hotel! We will celebrate Gotcha Day/New Years Eve with the Divis and then tomorrow we do not have any scheduled plans. As soon as we are able I will send pictures of our new family! Thank you again for the prayers, e-mails, and thoughts! It is hard to be away from friends and family during this experience, but the trip has been amazing so it helps! We look forward to reading the e-mails from everyone! Enjoy New Year's Eve! PS We become a 3 member family with Kristin at 9pm your time (Sunday)