Well, we are finally here! It seems like an eternity ago that we left Philadelphia. We were up late on Wednesday night with last minute packing so we didn't get to bed until almost midnight. Then we were up on Thursday morning at 4:15!! Our flight left from Philadelphia to Chicago and then to Beijing.

We flew on United in Economy Plus...believe me it is well worth the minimal extra money. We had tons of leg room to move around. So, no matter what the travel agents tell you...go for it. Plus, they fed us at least four times! Really good food!

We got into Beijing around 3:30 pm., on 11/4. Veronica and Ike from Great Wall met us at the airport.

It was chaos when we came out of baggage claim...tons of people gathered around with signs. Once our whole group gathered (we bought Diet Pepsi's from the KFC right in the airport) Veronica and Ike helped us cross the busy street to the Great Wall shuttle van, which, thank God was air-conditioned. Did I tell you it was kind of warm and muggy here? Oh, and hazy and it is hard to breath!! I asked Ike if they ever saw the sun. He said, "not really"!

The ride to the Sino-Swiss hotel was very interesting! The traffic was very heavy and the drivers were crazy. Cutting across lanes, bike riders...crazy! The Sino-Swiss is very nice, in a 1980s kind of way. It is very clean and our room has two beds, each of which is slightly larger than a single American bed. The service is outstanding and everyone here is extremely polite! Once we settled in, Ike and Veronica took us for a very short walk to the grocery store. Believe me when I tell you: You can buy just about everything in this store! We bought a gallon of water and two 16 ounce bottles that we can refill. Once we got back to our room, Guy and I just crashed. We had Pop-Tarts for dinner!!

Well, enough for now. More tomorrow....love to all.

Cathy & Guy

Next....Beijing: November 5th, 2005