Safe, Sound, and Well-Fed

Just a quick note to let you know that we’ve arrived safely in Beijing, after 30 hours of more or less continuous travel. The trip to the airport was interesting, as snow blanketed the first part of the drive. With an early departure from Bethel we made it with plenty of time to spare. Then it was off to Beijing, with a stopover in Chicago, and a flyover of the Arctic. Five movies later and we finally had wheels down at the beautiful new Beijing airport, complete with a main terminal shaped like a dragon. A quick bus ride, a wash, and it was off for our first meal together at a local place, just around the corner from our hostel. The food was traditional Chinese, with sesame chicken, sweet and sour pork ribs, and Beijing noodles. Who knew that tofu and bamboo could taste so good? Everyone is tired so it is off to unpack and then a well deserved night’s sleep. Tomorrow will bring Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and shopping at the Silk Market. More to come in the days ahead…