Travel Journal - Day 1

Hello everybody from CHINA! We had a very, very, very looonnnnggg day, but we are here safe and sound. The flight was uneventful and wasn't even as bad as we thought it was going to be. The whole thing is so surreal - we can't believe we are actually here and we are so close to Abby! Our hotel is absolutely gorgeous, and the food is better than we thought as well. On the way into the hotel's restaurant, we passed large fish-tanks full of interesting things that you could pick out to eat if you were so inclined. We passed on the turtle. They did have a couple of sea-lions (not to for eating, thank God) who are really cute.

After dinner, we took a walk a few blocks from the hotel and went shopping at a market, just to pick up water/soda, etc. Most of the city is very beautiful and modern, but is mixed in with poorer sections - I guess similar to NYC.

Tomorrow we're off to the Great Wall - we're just so exhausted, and we have to be up early for breakfast, some paperwork, and lots of walking.

Thinking of all of you - Scott and Evan, it goes without saying that I miss you more than anything and love you so much. You can't imagine how much I wish you were here. Hope Aunt Cheryl is hangin' in there watching 2 boys! :)-

We'll post a couple of pictures now and will write more tomorrow and post more pictures after we get some sleep.

Love and miss you!!!!!! Kristen (Mommy)