Awesome

That is the word. First we started out at the Jade Carving Factory. It was interesting and we got Sophie a few pieces of Jade. One, a necklace that she can have at an earlier age and a jade bracelet. It has the same significance as a wedding band and is passed down the generations. Then we did lunch, again, pretty good. Next was The Great Wall. Chris you would not believe it. The architecture of it all is unreal. It is truly breathe taking. The roofs look like they are made of a rounded tile, sitting on a cement base. Everything has such detail!

We check out tomorrow morning at 5:00am to catch a 8:20 flight to Chongqing. We'll do a little shopping in the afternoon and then get rested up for Gotcha Day Tuesday!!

Settling In

After a very long flight, we are now very much settled in. Yesterday was rough, but that is all behind us now. This morning we toured Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City. It is just unreal. We are in CHINA!! We are enjoying the locals. They are very helpful. It is very crowded here, but you do get used to it. We had a very nice lunch. Ate a lot of different things. I can't really tell you the names of the dishes, but it was very good. William even liked it. We left the group early today to have time to get back to the room and relax. We will probably go out later on our own and check things out. Even though we are having a nice time, I'm really eager to get to Chongqing!!!

We are Here!!

Sorry it took so long. It was a very long flight, we did not sleep. Just trying to figure out everything. Elaine, please call Lee and let her know we are here. Everything's fine. Getting ready to go touring. I'll check in later with more details.

Our Travel Itinerary

9/11 Leave the U.S. for Beijing.
9/12 Arrive in Beijing at 1:55pm
Go to the Holiday Inn Downtown.
9/13-14 Beijing tour.
9/15 Leave Beijing for Chongqing
Go to the Golden Resources Hotel.
9/16 In the morning take an optional walk to nearby by shopping for baby supplies. In the afternoon, receive Sophie at the hotel!!!
9/17 At 13:30 walk to the registration office to complete Adoption Registration and Notarization.
9/18 At 9:30 Optional half-day city tour to the Chongqing Zoo to see the panda.
9/19 At 9:30 optional half-day city tours to the People’s Hall.
9/20 At 14:30 optional half-day tour to the old town – CiQiKou.
9/21 Free time in Chongqing .
9/22 Receive Sophie's adoption registration certificate and notary paperwork. Rest and start packing.
9/23 Receive Sophie's passport this morning.
Leave Chongqing for Guangzhou. Go to the White Swan Hotel.
9/24 Have Sophie's visa physical and visa photo taken today.
Meeting today to prepare paperwork for consulate appointment
9/25 Today is Consulate appointment.
9/26 Go to the U.S. Consulate to take the oath in the afternoon.
Receive visas at the conclusion of the oath ceremony.
9/27 Leaving Guangzhou at 11:55am for HOME!!!!!