We made it!!!

After 13 hours of joy on United Airlines- actually they were awesome and everything was smooth!!

1st stop after clearing customs--I needed it- of course I did not sleep one bit on the flight!
The send off committee!!! It was so nice of you guys to take us to the airport!! These kids got up at 4- 4:30 just to see us off to China!!!!!
Breakfast at KCI!

Beijing intersection outside our hotel- You are a pedistrian, biker at your own risk!!!!
Brave biker

Dinner at Hot Pot in Beijing.... we had dinner with Kelley's Chinese business contact "Karl". We would never have been able to order without him. He is such a nice guy and called a lady to take us shopping and to interpret for us but we were tooo tired!

I have now been up with out any sleep for 32 hours. The flight was smooth and on time (early) by 15 minutes. Kelley started sleeping as soon as we took off. I did not sleep one bit the whole flight- even after taking benadryl.

Veronica, our GWCA guide was there to meet us. I can tell i really like her, already. She is very efficient, intelligent and direct. We are lucky to have her the entire trip. She took us to the grocery to load up on H2O and snacks as tomorrow is our 8:30 am to 6:00 pm touring day.

J and G I got you some really cool Hello Kitty stuff already! I learned a valuable lesson in the exchange rate, ( i was delirious from lack of sleep)- oh well- live and learn.

Had a horrible time with the internet- but now have it going.... blogger is in Chinese characters, though- so i highly doubt i will be able to read comments, but please still leave them so we can read when we get home. Will someone email me @ shrabe@kc.rr.com and hrabe_1971@yahoo.com and kelleyhrabe@waltonbuilt.com and let me know if this is working? I can't see the blog!

I HAVE to get some sleep now!

Zai Jian from Beijing,

stacie and kelley