Welcome to Shanghai

The day began early, I mean REALLY early.  We had to get up around 3am in order to have our luggage ready to be loaded bu 4:30am and leave at 5.  The experience at the Beijing airport was crazy.  Still, I was actually surprised that security there was very tame and the agents friendlier than in the US.  I actually got wanded because of my belt and some change in my pocket I forgot about.  By the time we got to the gate, it was almost time to board, so it had been cut very close for us. 

The flight was also very interesting.  I expected a small plane for the intracountry flight, but it was actually huge, bigger than our trans-Pacific one.  We were nearly the only "paler skinned passengers" on board.  The flight was relatively full, but we were in the very back of the plane, and there was actually a little room to spread out. 

Our guide Michelle met us at the airport, and helped us get settled into the YanAn Hotel here.  It's a bit more posh that the one in Beijing.  The room is definitely nicer.  High ceilings in the room.  Michelle showed us the lcoal market, walked us through a nearby park, and pointed out some other things in walking distance. 

So after very good naps for everyone, Sharon, Nathan & myself headed out on our own.  First we headed towards an area that is known for a lot of French influence and culture, passing by several small storefronts and a few very trendy restaurants.  Seeing none that looked very Westerner-friendly, we headed back to the area near the hotel, then to a very poulated area near a Buddhist Temple, where we found a safe bet - McDonalds.  This is already our second McDonald's trip already.  The manager helped us place our orders, and I enjoyed something a bit different - fried chicken wings, which you don't find back in the states at Mickey D's. 

Tomorrow morning we will leave the hotel around 9 am (8pm Sunday East Coast time), make a stop at the bank for the "big money change", and then head to the orphanage.  Pray for the expierence at the bank for the transfer to go smoothly and for our safety in carrying that much cash around.  We'll meet Wu Jin Jun face to face for the first time tomorrow after that, and will sign some papers that will give us custody for 24 hours (we'd sign more peranent ones the next day).  If "Ginny's" temperament is good, we may go ahead and get food and supplies for her while we're out.  My mom and dad will most likely stay behind at the hotel and watch Nathan tomorrow.