I'm heeeeeeeeeeere!

Well, I’m on the ground. In a Communist country. And it doesn’t feel any different than any other big city where people are challenged by language, cultural, and socio-economic differences.

I actually got a little emotional (i.e., a tear that never left home base) when we touched down. Some of you – actually, probably most of you – don’t realize that my educational background led me to a Master’s degree in Public Policy. It was my first year in undergrad as an intense Political Science major that the students faced off the tanks at Tiananmen Square… and lost. And despite the fact that I’ve seen some incredible pieces of this world (from the Eiffel Tower to Rome's Colosseum, to the domes of Santorini and the Hagia Sophia, to the spires of the Blue Mosque, Westminster's Big Ben, Cubb Creek, and my recent journey to the indescribable Taj Mahal) – now more than ever I feel that I’ll be standing on the ground of world-changing history. From T2’s horrendous moments to the bubbling excitement of a country ready to show off its “Most Improved Player” status in this summer’s Olympic games… these people have been making history (baking it very very slowly) over the course of the last few decades.

This old old old culture has come a long way from the events of 1989 at T2. My first proof-point was the absolutely delightful 20-something young woman (I first wrote “girl” and realized that was unfair and old-school), Rina. Rina will be my English-speaking tour guide the next 3.5 days. She’s just lovely. Perfect English. Born and raised in Beijing. Never travelled outside of Asia and 100% schooled in Beijing. And did I mention perfect English? The fact that a young woman is “allowed” to lead tours of foreign peoples and represent Mao’s legacy to them… my goodness, China has come a long way.

So I knew today’s blog would be difficult. I’ve been on-the-go nearly 36 hours (well, sorta – snuck in a couple of nappies). I and ALL MY GLORIOUS LUGGAGE (hallelujah - say it with me, people!) are safely at the hotel. I knew there wouldn’t be much to share today – except my highly anticipated luggage arrival. After all, what can possibly come of 21 hrs of time spent captive in a metal cylinder flying 35,000 feet above the ground? Well - I did have a few passenger surprises. Through the unlikeliest of seating assignments, I met two other groups from Tennessee who came all the way through to Beijing with me. One a single older gentlemen who happpened to sit next to me on the puddle-jumper from Nashville to Detroit. I don't usually make conversation when I fly... but for whatever reason we began to talk and discovered that we were both headed to China. He's from Lincoln County down near the Tenn/Alabama border and "had always wanted to see it." The other family was from Johnson City -- en route to Xi'an to adopt a five-year old daughter. Their 7-year old, Sophie, was in tow and she and I became fast buddies. We took a little shopping trip while waiting for the flight to depart Tokyo for the four-hour trek to Beijing and I bought her a little silk bag/keychain to keep her Japanese coins in. (No worries, Jackson & John... you're covered!)

In respect of today’s significant investment in Northwest flight 11, seat 68K – I’ll leave you with a shot taken somewhere north of Hudson Bay near the Arctic Circle…

P.S. Say a prayer for me -- I'm headed to the Hongqiao Pearl Market tomorrow! :-)