Day One

Check out of the hotel, move the luggage in, sign the lease papers, get trained on how to open the door (don't ask), and off to the Carrefour (hypermarket...it's either the next level beyond a Super Walmart, or it's because the million people in this cavernous space are hyper, jockeying for position...either definition is fitting. Here was today's story...

Our first trip was a mix of reconnaisance and sightseeing. Walking through the pet section

Kendall and Veronica were fascinated by the snakes, turtles, shrimp, frogs, crabs, fish and other (ahem) pets. Kendall figured it out herself after seeing the fish heads, squid, and other seafood on ice. The animal lover in her wanted to save a turtle from it's demise and keep it as a pet...

Investigating the shopping challenges we faced, we worked up a good appetite, and thought we'd start our Asian adventure with some of the local cuisine. Off to Concordia International School Shanghai to buy school uniforms for the girls, see their classrooms and finish the school registration. From school it was back to the hotel, load up the suitcases, and move into the apartment. After the real estate agents leave, and we're left all alone in the apartment, realization sets in...we're here...in a foreign country...barely able to speak the language... It's a good thing we're within walking distance to school, the hypermarket and know how to open our door! The adventure begins...

Comprehension... Apprehension... Inquisition...

After declaring that we have three days left here, Kendall began the inquisition...

Kendall: So, how long is it going to take to get to China?

Brian: Well, it'll take about 20 hours from when our flight takes off in Washington.

Kendall: How far is the first airport?

Brian: We fly from Washington D.C. and that will be a two-and-a-half hour drive.

Kendall: What is our second airport?

Brian: We land in South Korea. We will be there for about4-5 hours.

Kendall: Doing what?

Brian: Waiting.

Kendall: Oh. [pause] Are we going on another plane?

Brian: Yes, we get on a different plane and fly for about 2 hours to China.

Kendall: I can't wait 'til we get there!

Brian: Oh yeah, me too. Veronica, are you getting excited?

Veronica: [cocks her head to one side and shrugs her shoulders]

Kendall: How are we going to get to our hotel?

Brian: A van will pick us up. We're going to need it because we'll have lots of luggage.

Kendall: [laugh]

Preparations...

Many of you have been asking what we're taking...well this is what a spare room turns into--one week before you get packed up for the sea shipment 1-2 months later, we hope to see this stuff again. Of course, this does not include what was a dining room table.