APRIL 23, 2014: ARRIVAL IN SUZHOU

ARRIVAL IN SUZHOU

APRIL 23, 2014

We finally arrived in Suzhou.  It took a little bit to find the hotel, but all is well.

While I was checking in and the kids were just starting to unload luggage, we were greeted by Seth and Abby Hiatt -- members of the church here in Suzhou.  What a wonderful surprise!  They had several cases of water for us and helped us unload and took us to find food AND helped us get our phones set up, and, and, and ...... so much help and service and support that we will never be able to repay.  Here are pictures of our hotel room.

 

Key card is required for turning on the lights!!!

Dinner out with Brother Hiatt and Abby.  Delicious food!

Benjamin loved the cabbage dish!!!

 While Amy and I went with Brother Hiatt to get phone service set up, the kids walked back to the hotel with Abby.  They chatted and walked around the river area a bit.

 

TRAVEL DAY #2: WATCH OUT CHINA -- HERE WE COME!

 TRAVEL DAY #2

CHINA HERE WE COME

Our second day of travel went very smoothly!
We woke up really early and took the 3:30am shuttle to the Dallas airport.  I had 2 different people at the hotel suggesting I was going too early, but we were so glad we did.  We were able to lug all 20 suitcases, backpacks, violins, and bodies into the airport, get organized and then we were ready to check in when the ticket counter opened.  

We went through security without rushing and arrived at our gate with ease!  Success!
At the gate, they called for any carry-ons to be checked because it was a full flight!  We jumped at that option!
We were able to check on 6 small suitcases for free and they would go all the way to Shanghai!!!  Yahoo-ee!
At the airport in Chicago Mason made a new friend!  It was quite hilarious.

We flew to Chicago, changed planes and boarded the flight for Shanghai.  The flight was so empty!  We had some kids move and get their 2 seats by the window and the kids could lay down to sleep.
Movies on the flight included: Toy Story 2, Saving Mr. Banks, The Amazing Spiderman, Disney Channel, Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and others.  The fed us a chicken stir fry, a sandwich snack and the big surprise was Cheese Pizza!  I had never seen that on an airplane!  Mason was quite excited!  Mason's favorite drink on the airplane was apple juice with a straw!  I always got orange juice and one time when I was in the bathroom when they came, he ordered for me!  It was quite sweet!  Mason was an incredible traveler!  He has not had any problems since we left.  He has been absolutely amazing!!!  It has been fun to see he and Benjamin be such good buddies.  Benjamin takes good care of everyone!

 

Our flight from Chicago to Shanghai was 14 hours long!  I told the kids, "4 meals and 4 movies and we should be there."
  

 

 

 

 

 We found our driver and had to have a picture, of course!  How often to you got someplace and have a person waiting for you with your name on a sign!!!

 

Our line up of suitcases!  Heading to the van to drive to Suzhou.
Next, came the task of loading the luggage.  They didn't send a large enough van, but we made it work.  There were a couple of Chinese men on the sidelines watching and discussing how much luggage we had!

OUR DRIVE FROM SHANGHAI TO SUZHOU