Sunday, September 7, 2008

Day-4:Arrival in Zhengzhou











Andy and I awoke at about 1:00 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep. It was thundering very loudly for hours. We seem to be having trouble getting over the jet lag. So we are tired, but excited tonight. We are hoping to get some good rest tonight because tomorrow is the Big Day!!


We left the hotel in Beijing at 8:30 and drove as close as we could get to the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. It was wet and rainy, but sill neat to see. You can see us with our guide Helen and her uncle in the photo above. That is the Bird's nest in the background. From there we went to the airport. Our guide helped us to get our luggage checked and after about an hour and a half plane ride, we found ourselves in Zhengzhou. The airport was large and clean, but mostly empty. We took about a 45 minute bus ride to our hotel--the Crown Plaza. There are several restaurants inside, including an Italian one where Andy and I got some pizza tonight. There is also a Cuban cigar store, which Andy thought was pretty neat. The differences between Beijing and Zhengzhou are quite obvious. Beijing is clean and modern (at least the changes made for the Olympics make it seem so) while Zhengzhou seems much poorer. Zhenzhou (ZZ) is the capitol of the Henan province which is the poorest province in China. The contrast is absolutely striking compared to Beijing. In many ways it feels as if we arrived in another country. ZZ has a population of 7 million and is mostly an industrial city set on agricultural land and the haze smog and dreary weather certainly contribute to our first impressions of the city. But we are also reminded that this is Moriah's city, so while it is very foreign it is very special to us and will always be. Andy and I are already looking forward to the time we can bring all of the family back here to Moriah's birthplace.

Mr. Zhou, the orphanage director will bring Moriah here to our hotel room tomorrow morning around 9:30. For those of you in Colorado, that will be 7:30 p.m. Sunday night. Our guide brought some milk formula powder and some snacks by for her. We've got her toys and blanket all ready. It is all beginning to feel very real!

8 comments:

Ashley and Mike said...

Congratulations for making it this far. I cannot wait to ready you post tomorrow about Moriah Mei!

Ashley
CCAI WC Group
Waiting for FuQiuHan in Jiaoxuo

Dan Trumble said...

there is a notable lack of pictures of weird food. Pizza doesn't count (and there are no pictures of that anyway) unless it has corn and/or egg on it. Eating some weird food will help freak you out and thus put you on more of an even footing with poor Moriah who will be facing change left and right.

However, I'm sure it will be fine and if you shut me out on the whole food thing, I guess I'll survive. It isn't the most important part of the trip after all.

Go team!

Dan

Unknown said...

Andy and Amy,

We are following you and enjoying China with you. Knowing these places like we do, it is easy to imagine ourselves with you there. We're glad you are getting a feel and taste of China.

We are praying for you two and Moriah, especially as she comes to meet you this morning (your time). May the Lord give her peace and joy as she comes to meet you.

Sincerely,
Tom and Jackie

The Hanyoks said...

Know that you are in our thoughts during the last moments of the wait - we are lifting you up constantly so that he goes before you.
Hanyoks

Valerie said...

My heart is jumping for joy as I know it's only hours away until you welcome your new baby into your arms. I pray right now for peace in your heart, the jidders to go away, for Moriah and all the new things she is going to experience, and the kids back here in Colorado. Try to set aside the anxious feelings and allow yourselves to take in every moment as it happens. The Lord has gone before you in every step, He won't stop now.
In prayer,
Valerie Wheeler

Anonymous said...

Dear Amy and Andy,
We are so excited that the time is so near. Praying you are able to rest some, even as we are writing this. Just about 4 hours from now and you will have Moriah in your arms. Looking forward to seeing the upcoming pictures. We love you all three.
Love, Mom and Dad Trumble

Anonymous said...

This is so exciting!! I can't believe you are going to get her in just a few more hours! Thank you so much for doing the blog. It has been fun to keep up with your journey and the pictures have been great. The our kids are having a SUPER time playing with your kids yesterday and today. They were perfect in church. It was fun having them. The girls made up a cute, silly song about Moriah and her sister/brothers. We will leave here in a bit to take them home.
You are in our thoughts and prayers,
Shana Milroy

Keith said...

We have kept thinking all evening - "45 minutes until they get her....she should be there now.....they must be watching and holding her now...."
Can't wait to read the next part of the blog!
Keith and Jill