We're Here!

• Greetings!
  
  We are finally here in Shanghai! Our total time in airports and on planes was a whopping 29 hours! We had a 2 - 3 hour delay in Tokyo that nearly sent us over the edge! Our guide that picked us up from the airport was less than thrilled. Anyway, we are here now, and our hotel is swanky, and we can't wait to get some shut-eye.
  
  I wrote the following during the 2-3 hour delay. Thought I would include it.
  
  We are sitting on the tarmac at the Tokyo airport, waiting for an electrical problem with the plane to be fixed so we can begin our final flight of the day – or past 2 days, I’ve lost count, and am delirious. I thought I might share a few thoughts - against my better judgement!
  
  
• Cindy, I am NOT wearing contacts or panty hose. I know you would want to know this.
  Tip for future China travelers: The air conditioning in the Tokyo airport exists but is sadly lacking – however, along the windows is a bank of vents, and if you sit on them or near them, it is dreamy.
  
• Following the sun while traveling West to China, can cause a person’s mind to play tricks on them.
  
• It is possible for a man of about 45 to endure and entire 12 hour flight without getting out of his seat even once. I know because I sat next to him.
  
• Louis, you fly over lots of racetracks on the approach toTokyo – I would have taken pictures of them for you, but I did not want to bug the man with the iron bladder.
  
• How do the scratches get on the OUTSIDE of the double-paned windows of airplanes?
  I am fairly sure that our overseas flight was on a 747-400 that is vintage in every way – right down to the seat covers (circa 1975). Maybe the reason for this is akin to having an old car that you are familiar with. However, upon take-off, there was so much shaking and shimmying that I was convinced that we were going to flap our way to Tokyo.
  
• There are many ways to cope with the fear of flying. One of the most unfortunate ones has to be gnawing the life out of one’s fingernails for an entire 2-hour flight. I assure you, this is not pretty (sight or sound). Dodging the flying fingernail parts isn’t much fun either.
  
• Use caution when reading a David Sedaris book in “Economy Class”, as everyone in the near vicinity will stare at you with grave concern, convinced that any moment your snorting and laughter will turn into a seizure.
  
• Apparently, when you are adopting a child from China, it is blatantly obvious, and fellow adopters can spot you a mile away. In this manner, we met a lovely couple from Oregon, who is on the way to adopt their 3-year old. We hope to hook up at the infamous White Swan Hotel towards the end of our journeys.
  
  Who knows when we will actually be able to post this. Say a little prayer for Lucia!
  
  Love,
  Ed and Mel