What a Day!

Prayer Requests first (because you may not make it to the end of this long post!)
1. Obviously pray for Olivia, whose world will be forever changed tomorrow.
2. Pray for her foster mother. Tonight is her last night with Olivia. She is a single mom of 2 grown children. She is very close to Olivia. From the report I got today she has really really spoiled her. I know that she will be so very sad.
3. Please pray for me...I'm having major culture shock!

I left the Novotel at noon to go to the airport. The bellboy was supposed to help me check in and get my ticket but he just left. The airport here looks nothing like ones in the US. It was difficult to tell where to check in. I found the information desk and, of course, I was nowhere near where I should have been. When I went to check in I was praying that they wouldn't charge me for my very overweight bag. I had already ripped off the big red HEAVY sticker that one of the other airports had put on. They let it pass thankfully.

Next was the security check point. It was VERY VERY crowded. As far as I could see in any direction I was the ONLY person who was not Chinese. I have to tell you it was very scary. Not as in being afraid. I just can't explain it. It gave me a very real sense of what Olivia will go through when she leaves her country to live with all Americans. Everyone was nice and actually, I was a non-issue to them. But I can't tell you how uncomfortable I was. I don't think I would have felt this way if Blake had been with me. I was all alone and all that time to focus on my surroundings.

When they scanned my bags I had to open the carry on because of my coffee. It occured to me that I've only had my carry on checked two times. Once in Paris when we were getting Lili and now in China getting Olivia. Each time there was a little baby doll on top.
Next I went through the metal detector which started beeping. I had on only one zipper and one small necklace. No other metal. So, she unzipped my jacket, raised my shirt and scanned my money belt, then patted me down! It was ummmmm interesting!

One thing I've never heard is that there is no heat in the airport. Probably because it's normally very warm here. The last cold front like this that came through here was in 1984!! So, for an hour and a half I totally FROZE! Everyone else was bundled up like they were outside. I was so glad to get on the plane where it was somewhat warm.

Mary, my guide, was waiting with my name on a sign right when I got my luggage. I can't say enough good things about her. She is phenomenal!! I asked her if she would take me somewhere to buy a coat so we went to Wal Mart. Think of our Wal Mart at Christmas. Now double the amount of people and you might have an idea of the crowds. I'll talk more about Wal Mart later because we are going back tomorrow after I get Olivia. I will tell you that it added to my culture shock. And did I mention that it is FREEZING??

I am now at the Wharton hotel. I'm not too thrilled about my room. It's not very clean and it's pretty old. The lounge chair is badly stained...with what I'm not sure, but I won't be sitting on it! The view from the room is really cool though. Lots of colored lights everywhere. The lobby is beautiful too.

Sorry I have no pictures to post. I didn't even take ONE today. Tomorrow will be a better day. No, tomorrow will be an AWESOME day because I meet my daughter!