Thursday, August 26, 2010

Guangzhou - Day 15 - We're Going Home!!!

Well - we made it! All the paperwork is complete. Lia's passport and visa are in hand, and we can return to the States. We are now packing up to leave the hotel around 1 pm today. We have four flights to get us home...Guangzhou to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Taipei, Tapei to Seattle (where Lia will "officially" become an American citizen once she puts her foot on the ground!) and finally Seattle to Spokane...whew! It's going to be a loooooong day/night of traveling...

We're *hoping* that because we are traveling the longest leg of the journey (Taipei to Seattle) overnight, Lia will be ready to sleep (fingers crossed!). We are scheduled to get home around midnight Friday (west coast time). Of course, to us, it will seem like morning - so I'm sure it will take awhile for us to get over the jet lag and screwed up body clocks. Fortunately, the nature of this trip doesn't really allow for getting your child on any type of "routine" - so by now she is used to every day being different. It will be nice to get home and settle into some kind of routine.

Overall, we've had an amazing time exploring China and getting to know our daughter. We've taken TONS of pictures which we will bore you all with the next time we see you! The Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Terra Cotta Warriors...the beauty of Shaiman Island in Guangzhou...but there are definitely some things we are NOT going to miss:  living in hotel rooms, brushing our teeth with bottled water, smokers (everywhere!), warm canned soda w/no ice, having to get showered and dressed to get to the breakfast buffet day after day after day...the bed that is like sleeping on the floor...and every meal tasting just a little bit like Chinese food...  ;)

Here are some pics from our last day:

Are we done yet?


Chopstick wars with mama!


YUM...how I love this disgusting orange jello drink in a bag!!!


Ready to go to the airport!

9 comments:

Alaina said...

I have loved all your posts and pictures! Have a safe trip home!

~Kristen said...

I wish you a safe and uneventful journey home... Your sweet girl girl looks ready to be done with the travels and ready for her next chapter... Which will be an exciting, lovely new life with an amazing set of parents... Gos speed and welcome home Lia!!!

~Kristen said...

*one girl... And "god" speed! This whole phone ,blogcomment thing is for the birds!!!
I need to get back on a computer! See you back on US soil!

Jenn Witsoe said...

See you in less than 24 hours!!! Cannot WAIT!

Megan in Denver said...

I can't believe it. Congratulations on a successful trip!

Wish I could be there to greet you and this girl we have all thought about longer than she's been alive! :)

Talk to you soon....

Holly said...

HAHAHAHA Jello drink! My kids love that stuff. You can get it in the Asian groceries here (just in case you are still craving it when you get home. hee). Safe travels home. Good luck with the jet lag! My most recent trip to China was 3 years ago and I am STILL recovering. HAHA ;-) I cannot wait to see your TONS of photos!! YEA!! Love you! -Holly

Anonymous said...

It has been fun to follow your journey Julie! Lia is adorable, and I know you will be a great Mom, give yourselves lots of grace and patience. Safe travels and welcome home! Miss you at water aerobics!
Nancy

Unknown said...

Safe travels home & congratulations to the new family!
Donna

kitchu said...

there's nothing quite like being HOME at last :) welcome to it... can't wait to hear all the updates from this side of the pacific.

xoxo to you all!