Day One

Getting to China really isn't that difficult. From Chicago it takes approximately 13 hours directly to Beijing. What I didn't realize is that the flight path is over the north pole and Siberia at an altitude of 6 miles and a temperature of over -100 degrees Fahrenheit.

So the steward approaches my seat with a yellow piece of rubber stuffed in a plastic bag.

"Ma'am," he politely interrupted me, handing me the bag.

He continued, "Here is an infant life preserver. Just put it under the seat in front of you."

I replied with a quick thank you. If only I had that moment back. I might have asked what were the chances of anyone surviving a float in the Arctic Ocean. I guess some people might be content with the false comfort of a life jacket. Aaron and I just laughed.

Neither of us have much to complain about now with some of the best food in the world and people smiling at us (really Maeli) everywhere we go.

This morning, at our free breakfast buffet that the hotel provides, I cleaned my plate. Piled on were fried rice with egg, steamed pumpkin, steamed zucchini with gogi berries, steamed bok choy with mushrooms, and lots of fresh fruit. At this rate, I don't know how it can get any better.

Even though we've killed a giant cockroach in the bathroom this morning, our electricity went out all night, and the city is so hazy with pollution that it's hard to breathe, we love our little adventure so far. Day one is a success.