Our first day in Changsha.

Today started with a 4:30 am wake up call. We had to be ready to leave the hotel by 5:30 am. It was not a problem since we are still not completely adjusted to the time difference and we were awake around 2 am. :) We expected to miss out on breakfast since the hotel did not start serving until 6:30 am. We had no idea that our day consisted of not one but two breakfasts. Waiting for us at the front desk were packaged breakfasts for every person in our 10 family travel group of around 25 people. It contained a banana, a hard boiled egg and 2 of the best tasting sausages we have ever had. They looked a little odd but were really good! Once we were all accounted for, we boarded the bus and headed to the airport. Because we were all going to different provinces, our guide had to get some help. We had a total of 3 guides to assist the 10 families. We made it thru security with LOTS of scrutiny. They were very interested in the powdered baby formula that I was carrying in my backpack, but allowed me to go thru. The airport was HUGE. We walked for a long time and the group kept getting smaller and smaller as the guides were taking them to different gates. Eventually it was down to 3 families and 1 guide. Forrest and I were going to one gate and the guide and other 2 families had to go an opposite direction so the guide just said to "go that way". We went and hoped for the best. We followed the signs and went down 2 levels to the correct gate where we had to board a bus to be taken to the plane! It was standing room only on the bus, REALLY hot and Forrest and I were the only foreigners on board. When the bus stopped we got out and boarded the plane by climbing up some stairs. We sat in a row of 3 next to an older woman who of course only spoke Chinese. She was very nice and kept touching my arms and then showing me her 2 layers of long sleeves. I think she thought I needed to be warmer. :) The on board announcements were in Chinese and then in English, which I thought was nice since it was ONLY for Forrest and I. :) Right after take off we were served another breakfast. Our flight was less than 2 hours and we were given, scrambled eggs, hash browns, snow peas, sausage, a fruit cup and a croissant with jam. You all know what you would be served on a U.S flight that was less than 2 hours....maybe a snack-definitely not an entire meal. The flight was easy and when we arrived at the airport, we found our luggage quickly and didn't even have to look for our new guide, Amy. She spotted us. I would guess we were easy to find. :) Changsha is much different than Beijiing. The weather is cooler and today was very gray. I am not sure if that is normal weather or not. Hoping for some sunshine tomorrow for our big day. We are meeting Amy and one other family in the lobby at 10:30 am to go to the Office of Civil Affairs, which is where we will receive Delilah! From what Amy said, it will be very quick. We already completed the initial paperwork this afternoon along with the other family that is here with us. Ready for something unbelievable? The other family whom we just met today, lives in San Diego! Mira Mesa, actually. How crazy is that? They are adopting a 7 year old boy. It is unbelievable that we are only one day away from meeting our daughter. :) No pictures today since we haven't done anything except travel but there will definitely be some tomorrow. :) Tracy