The journey begins

5:00 am came early on Saturday morning, especially when I didn't get to bed until 1:30 am finishing the final packing and preparations. But all went well and we were off to airport with the Tucci family. We met Janet and Kate at Tim Horton's -- the last real coffee we would have for a few days.

The girls -- Tia, Kate, Julia and Jenna made good use of the waiting time in the airport starting their travel journals. Julia found the card I packed in her back pack -I thought it was a bon voyage card from my friend, Angela at school -- but was overwhelmed (what this means is that I cried right there in airport) when I saw that it was a card with a hamster on it, much to the delight of Julia, with wonderful heart-felt messages from my dear English Department family and a most generous donation for our purchase of supplies when we go to visit Julia's orphange in a week's time. Thank you all so much for that.

Soon it was time to board the plane for the 4 hour flight to Vancouver -- all of use were excited about the viewing options our own personal viewing screens - something for everyone -- Julia watched favorite episodes of Kid and Kat and I caught up on Mad Men. We started taking our jet lag pills and hoped for the best. Before we knew it we were in Vancouver, enjoying the sights of the beautiful snow topped mountains on a glorious and warm sunny day -- all experienced from inside the airport of course.

We had some lunch, started adjusting our watches for different time zones - Julia was on Vancouver time and I was on Newmarket time. The girls amused themselves by the lovely aquarium and water feature area, had a photo taken in a bobsleigh model from the Olympics and before we knew it, we were back on the plane for the s-l-o-w flight to China.

The 11.5 hours went okay -- the kids slept a bit, played a bit, more tv watching, more snacks. I found it hard to sleep -- too much activity and too little leg room to settle myself down. How I was longing for those wonderful seats on Jet Blue!

But we did it -- we arrived at 3:45pm Beijing time -- but our body clocks were still somewhere around 2:45 am. The cold air of Beijing revived us long enough to get our luggage - I'm always very relieved when I see my suitcase on that conveyor belt. Our guide, Ma Rui was there to meet us with her Tucci sign -- we felt like really important people.

Off to our Marriott Courtland Hotel we went - about an hour's drive -- Julia lasted about 10 minutes on the bus and then passed out. After we checked in, and got a week bit settled in our room, it was time to meet with the tailor to measure us for some traditional Chinese jackets and dresses. All the girls -- big and small -- oooed and ahhhhed over the array of fabrics. Julia was measured for a traditional Chinese dress in white -- she will wear this for her First Communion in May. And she also wanted a funky jacket -- one that she could wear for festive and casual occasions. I'm excited to see on Wednesday her outfits as well as the two jackets I'm having made -- one in my signature green and a red and black one.

Then we went out to do some shopping in the local stores for some snacks and bottled water. Kate also needed a bathing cap -- we found our snacks - with interesting labels in Chinese -- but the packaging was still true to brand that we could identify Skittles, Kit Kat, and Lay's potato chips. We weren't so lucky with the bathing caps as we tried to explain to the many shop assistants what we wanted. Instead we were sent to the blow dryer and shampoo aisles.

We left and hoped that there would be one at the hotel pool. I had heard every hour for the past nearly 24 hours -- could Julia please swim at the hotel -- all the way to China and this is what she wanted most. She and Kate realized that dream as they laughed and frolicked in the spa like pool, not sure if it was to the amusement of the other swimmers. Julia wrote in her journal that night that she loved it and that she looked like a speedswimmer in her bathing cap and googles.

By this point I was a walking zombie -- I really do think I feel asleep standing up at one point -- back to the room we went -- I barely remember getting us ready for bed -- Julia was reading in her bed and I was unconscious on mine. Day one was done.

We are here now enjoying it all -- a bit jet lagged, but loving it -- On the technology side of things - we are struggling -- as you can see -- this is not my regular blogging style - I'm struggling getting pictures uploaded (if you are reading this Lianne, there are no icons on the composition page for pictures, video and text stuff - send IT support in a post), but am determined to make it work. We are also blocked out of Sympatico for some reason so not even email. We've tried from the business centre in the hotel as well as my laptop once I got the room hooked up to internet.

But know that we are happy and safe. Juila has really enjoyed her first few days here. What not to love -- bacon for breakfast, all the rice she can eat, and money in her pocket. Enough said.

I'm delighted to be here as well -- thankful for the opportunity to see China through Julia's eyes and show her the country of her birth. She was so excited during the days leading up to the trip -- every night for the last week or so she wanted at bedtime to play the game in which we both would list something we were excited about doing in China. As we got closer to China -- she was keeping track time-wise when she switched over to Beijing time and on the map feature on the tvs -- she would give a squeal every once in a while - I can't believe we are almost in China. And then a hug to me when we landed in China -- needless to say I cried -- big surprise.

Will keep working on the posting and hopefully be able to show you some pictures soon. Thanks to you all for your well wishes and support as Julia and I make this homeland visit.