So, I think I fixed the internet...

There were a few baubles today, what with the internet issues and things. I am hoping that I have that part resolved...

We had a fabulous breakfast with a ton of good fruit, fresh watermelon juice, interesting pastries, egg fried rice, noodles etc. There were even steamed dumplings and 1000 year old eggs and some things that we did not really recognize.


Our guide met us at 9 and we went to a hutong, which is a traditional neighborhood with the small streets. There was a house that we could go into and we saw the lucky crickets.  Then we wen tto a silk factory and were blown away. Luckily some of the rugs were too big - it was amazing.

Then we had a strange lunch and were off to Ti An Men Square and the Forbidden City which was the Emperor's palace. It was quite interesting.  We were with a group of people who are also adopting with the same agency. One family had a young boy, about Kolya's age. He and Kolya kept each other very happy and we will be with them all the way to Guangzhou.

Finally got some pictures uploaded. KG and I took a short walk and got some dumplings for a snack. Nobody wanted dinner after our huge meals earlier.  We are now off to bed since we have a long day tomorrow.

We Made it!!!

We have had an exciting time, for sure.  The trip was fine and uneventful. We got to the hotel about 12:30 AM (China time) and were met by the guide service. We slept a bit and just had a really really good and interesting breakfast. We had some trouble getting access to the blog since China has blocked lots of services (twitter, which we don't do and blogger, which we do).  I think we have it worked out now though. I will post pictures later on today.

We Made it!!!

We have had an exciting time, for sure.  The trip was fine and uneventful. We got to the hotel about 12:30 AM (China time) and were met by the guide service. We slept a bit and just had a really really good and interesting breakfast. We had some trouble getting access to the blog since China has blocked lots of services (twitter, which we don't do and blogger, which we do).  I think we have it worked out now though. I will post pictures later on today.

We Made It !!!

We have had an exciting time, for sure.  The trip was fine and uneventful. We got to the hotel about 12:30 AM (China time) and were met by the guide service. We slept a bit and just had a really really good and interesting breakfast. We had some trouble getting access to the blog since China has blocked lots of services (twitter, which we don't do and blogger, which we do).  I think we have it worked out now though. I will post pictures later on today.

On the way!!

Well, we made it past our first security check. Our martial arts instructor (who just bought a new 15 person van) took us to the airport this morning. He had some last minute words of advice (about how to ask for a bathroom etc.).  Now we head to Atlanta, then to Seattle.

Meet the newest Cogan!

We would love to have you along with us for this trip! Check back for at least daily posts of where we are, what we are doing, and what we see along the way. We meet Karwen on Sunday the 26th so expect some 'Gotcha' pictures then.

Itinerary for travel

I am posting our itinerary here so that everyone can see where we are going and how we are getting there-this ignores the mundane trip across the US!

08/23 Arrive in Beijing by DL129 at 11:20pm

Met at the airport and escorted to the Crowne Plaza Wangfujing Hotel by your guide, George Jiao

08/24 Sightseeing in Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Hutong Tour

08/25 Sightseeing in Beijing: Great Wall and Temple of Heaven

08/26 Travel to Jinan by train G33 (9:33am-11:19am) OR Sarah Gao

Your guide, George Jiao will escort you to the train station and provide you with the train tickets

Your guides, Sarah Gao and/or Missy Sun will meet you at the airport and escort you to the Crowne Plaza Hotel

Hotel phone number: 011-86-531-860-29999

Meet WX in the afternoon

08/27 Go to civil affairs office to complete adoption paperwork

08/28 Rest and shop*

08/29 Sightseeing in Jinan*

08/30 Sightseeing in Jinan*

08/31 Pick up child’s passport and go to Guangzhou by MU5259 (12:40pm- 3:10pm )

E-tickets: please use your passports to check in at a China Eastern Airlines desk

Your guide Elsie Chen will meet you at the airport and escort you to the Garden Hotel

09/01 Child’s visa medical examination, including the TB test

09/02 Sightseeing in Guangzhou

09/03 Medical exam follow up

Prepare documents for the visa interview with the guide’s assistance

09/04 Visa interview and oath ceremony at the United States Consulate

09/05 Pick up child’s U.S. entry visa in the afternoon

Take train to Hong Kong in the evening

Transfer to Regal Airport Hotel on your own from the train station

09/06 Take flight DL156 (departs Hong Kong at 8:20am) for home