24 hours after leaving our house for the airport, I am sitting in the hotel room in Guangzhou, China. We're here for about 7 more hours, then we fly to Nanning. I should be in bed!
Our airport experience didn't start out so great. We arrived just shy of two hours before departure, only to wait in line for 1 hour, 10 minutes for our boarding pass. The agent told us that we lost our seats and that our bags might not make it on the plane. We went straight to the gate and Mark pouted the ENTIRE way, mumbling under his breath that we should have left the house earlier. We ended up with seats in three different areas of the plane (and it seats over 700 people!!). Kam was a little upset and Mark asked everyone around him if they would switch seats. As soon as he talked someone into doing it, our names were called over the loud speaker. I had complained to every flight attendant and ticket agent in sight that I didn't want to be separated from my son for a 13 hour flight! I don't know who noticed or helped us, but we ended up in the best seats EVER (best coach seats, anyway :)). We had the three seats right in front of the TV, with no one in front of us, just the bathroom. We had lots of leg room and Mark only had to walk two feet for the bathroom (those of you who know him well, know how important this could be on a 13 hour flight! ha, ha!) After getting settled, Mark started giving Kam the speech on how we shouldn't complain and get upset about things so easily, because often they work out just fine!
Kam was an angel - best 8 yr. old traveler I know. A flight attendant came up to us as we were leaving and asked him how old he was. He told him that he was very mature for his age and that he was so impressed with him during the flight :)
When we arrived in Tokyo, for our flight to Guangzhou (2nd leg of the flight, 4 more hours), we met up with another family who is adopting a daughter from Thea's orphanage. The mother, Lisa, and I have been corresponding via e-mail over the last couple of months. Lisa and her husband, Chuck, have a 7 year old son, Shawn, who is traveling with them also. Shawn was adopted 2 years ago from China, just like Benjamin. Lisa, Chuck and Shawn are all deaf. The daughter they are adopting (she will be named Sophia) is 5 and she is deaf as well. We've been told that Thea and Sophia are best friends. We are all so happy that they get to leave the orphanage at the same time.
I was very excited to meet Lisa, Chuck and Shawn. They are an awesome family and we have been able to communicate just fine. Kam was the "welcome wagon", as usual, and stuck to Shawn like glue. He pulled out his DS, his DVD and his Chinese money. He gave Shawn some money and tried to show him how to play his new DS game. Shawn is tiny like Benjamin and is absolutely adorable. I'm so happy that he and Kam will be together for this trip.
We arrived in Guangzhou a little early, but unfortunately, one of our luggage did not! The suitcase I have for Thea, with her clothes, babydoll, books and toys, was not on the plane. We had to file a compaint and we're hoping to get it sometime on Monday. Our China coordinators have already contacted me and will work on it.
Well, I better get to bed. To our family - we are safe and sound in Guangzhou, China. Please give the kids kisses and hugs. We will post photos tomorrow. I don't have the energy right now to get that done.
Bye for now,
Kari
Our airport experience didn't start out so great. We arrived just shy of two hours before departure, only to wait in line for 1 hour, 10 minutes for our boarding pass. The agent told us that we lost our seats and that our bags might not make it on the plane. We went straight to the gate and Mark pouted the ENTIRE way, mumbling under his breath that we should have left the house earlier. We ended up with seats in three different areas of the plane (and it seats over 700 people!!). Kam was a little upset and Mark asked everyone around him if they would switch seats. As soon as he talked someone into doing it, our names were called over the loud speaker. I had complained to every flight attendant and ticket agent in sight that I didn't want to be separated from my son for a 13 hour flight! I don't know who noticed or helped us, but we ended up in the best seats EVER (best coach seats, anyway :)). We had the three seats right in front of the TV, with no one in front of us, just the bathroom. We had lots of leg room and Mark only had to walk two feet for the bathroom (those of you who know him well, know how important this could be on a 13 hour flight! ha, ha!) After getting settled, Mark started giving Kam the speech on how we shouldn't complain and get upset about things so easily, because often they work out just fine!
Kam was an angel - best 8 yr. old traveler I know. A flight attendant came up to us as we were leaving and asked him how old he was. He told him that he was very mature for his age and that he was so impressed with him during the flight :)
When we arrived in Tokyo, for our flight to Guangzhou (2nd leg of the flight, 4 more hours), we met up with another family who is adopting a daughter from Thea's orphanage. The mother, Lisa, and I have been corresponding via e-mail over the last couple of months. Lisa and her husband, Chuck, have a 7 year old son, Shawn, who is traveling with them also. Shawn was adopted 2 years ago from China, just like Benjamin. Lisa, Chuck and Shawn are all deaf. The daughter they are adopting (she will be named Sophia) is 5 and she is deaf as well. We've been told that Thea and Sophia are best friends. We are all so happy that they get to leave the orphanage at the same time.
I was very excited to meet Lisa, Chuck and Shawn. They are an awesome family and we have been able to communicate just fine. Kam was the "welcome wagon", as usual, and stuck to Shawn like glue. He pulled out his DS, his DVD and his Chinese money. He gave Shawn some money and tried to show him how to play his new DS game. Shawn is tiny like Benjamin and is absolutely adorable. I'm so happy that he and Kam will be together for this trip.
We arrived in Guangzhou a little early, but unfortunately, one of our luggage did not! The suitcase I have for Thea, with her clothes, babydoll, books and toys, was not on the plane. We had to file a compaint and we're hoping to get it sometime on Monday. Our China coordinators have already contacted me and will work on it.
Well, I better get to bed. To our family - we are safe and sound in Guangzhou, China. Please give the kids kisses and hugs. We will post photos tomorrow. I don't have the energy right now to get that done.
Bye for now,
Kari
4 comments:
Hi Kari, Mark, Kam and Thea,
We were just checking in on you guys. Glad to hear you made it to your destination!
Hope to hear more about meeting Thea and seeing pictures!
Nick wants Kam to know we lost the hockey game today 21-10...not the same without you!!!
Talk to you soon,
The Trela'a
Hello Ottenbreit's,
Glad to hear after a few hiccups, all is going well. Matthew wants to say Hi to Kam and he's looking forward to his return and meeting his new sister. He said to tell Kam he couldn't go to China because he doesn't like the food :) Anyways, we're thinking about you and wish you a safe and happy journey.
The Schaumburgers
Just a hockey update from Joel Alexander. 21-11 loss today. The team really missed Kam (and Ryan). Joel's goalie days are done (poorkid. Glad you all arrived safe. We can't wait to meet Thea.Best wishes for a continued safe Journey.
Kari & Mark
Your family blesses me more than words will ever say. I'm so very proud to call you "my family". Your enormous hearts pour out the love in them for your children. Thea, along with your other children, are richly blessed having the both of you as parents. You have been given a calling and I thank you for going through the door that God has opened for you. God's blessing for you and your family. My prayers are with you as you travel and finally get to hold your daughter!
Love and Prayers,
Aunt Dollie
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