We made it....

---

Yes, internet service and time are limited 😊 We have been going non-stop since we arrived in Beijing Friday night.. The flight was interesting, we took off from Dulles and we were an hour and half in the flight and we rec'd message from pilot that there was something wrong with the second engine and had to return to Dulles. However, we needed to dump lots and lots of fuel 😞

We returned to Dulles and proceeded to wait another 8 hours for a plane, pilots and crew that all had their appropriate Chinese Visas. If you know me, I was NOT happy. We finally get on the plane and then they have to replace all the food. FINALLY we take off and head to Beijing. Sophia and her Mom were anxiously awaiting our arrival. We arrived in Beijing around 10:00 p.m. local time -- our 30 hour adventure was complete. We proceed through security and take the train to baggage claim and Danny realizes he laid our backpack down after the sercurity check (this had both our cameras 😊 ) After 30 hours of torture, you know I LOST IT 😊 .. Lucky for us, they located the backpack and brought it to lost and found.. Danny was saved -- LOL

Sophia and her Mom met us at the gate and everyone was very excited to see each other. They had hired a driver for us and we were off to our hotel. We arrived at the hotel and it is AWESOME!! Hilton Beijing Wanfujing -- We met for drinks and all went to a very much needed sleep (in a bed),

Day 1 in Beijing and we met our driver and tour guide and headed off to the Forbidden City -- It was Wonderful experience but HOT and lots of people. Since we had only been in China for a bit and in a very American Hotel, Mom and I had our first experience with a bathroom .. OH MY is all I can say -- Literally an experience and now I make sure I have used the hotel bathroom and drink very little .. Literally a swirl of water in the ground and one must squat very very low, guess at the end of this I have some strong leg muscles. Have lots and lots to share and will post some more catch-up tomorrow when we head off to Kunming -- They say it is cooler there and I am ready for that.. Wanted everyone to know we arrived and will try to post pictures and tell you all that we have seen so far. This truly is a Wonderful Experience and Sophia's family has really done a great job in sharing their home with us..

---