Day 1: We made it. Next time I'd like an epidural please.

Okay, just for the record and before someone hands my daughter to me and all pain is forgotten, I just want to make it known that the 15 hour flight from Chicago to Hong Kong is not at all pleasant. I have had a biological child and I will argue that 4 hours of pushing (with epidural) was easier than 15 hours in coach. PLUS we had a good seat. Still coach, not economy plus or anything, but a good seat given the options.

After reading that you will probably not be surprised to hear that there will be no photos of anyone since by the time we got the camera out on the plane we all looked like something the cat drug in.

The company on our trip was great, though. We met the Raineys (from Granite City, IL) at the airport around 6:30 am and we traveled to Chicago together. At about 11:30, we boarded a 747 bound for Hong Kong along with the Adams' (from near Bloomington, IL) and the Andreson's (from Kenosha, WI...they live a few blocks from our old house in Kenosha). We all had seats fairly near each other in the back of the plane. We spent much of the flight chatting in the small area behind our seats where we could stand up. While different circumstances have brought each of us to this shared journey, it is a wonderful group of people and I know we will enjoy each other's company as we continue on this trip.

Upon landing, we did pretty good going through customs or whatever they call it when they check passports and getting our luggage. We then made our way to the Regal Airport Hotel where we're all staying. I wasn't always certain about our choice of hotel (vs. staying downtown), but it was easy to just walk over and check in. I left mom in the room, exchanged some money and walked over the the airport to pick up 1.5 L bottles of water ($1.25 US), diet coke ($.90 US for 12 oz.), and Hagen Daaz ice cream cups ($2.50 US). There are several restaurants right there, too. McDonald's, a spaghetti place, a noodle place and others. Prices seemed similar to the US, not the same inflated US airport prices.

I am writing quite a bit now because it is 4am and there isn't anything else to do. We had our snack last night, showered (quite lovely after that trip) and soon were falling into bed by 9pm. (Neither of us had really slept on the plane.) I slept great until midnight, and have yet to fall back asleep. Mom eventually woke up, too, and we just talked for a long time hoping to fall asleep. I finally got out of bed to set up the computer. I had a little difficulty, called Brad and he got me online. He gave me a great tutorial before leaving, but I had forgotten what to do. We chatted a bit. We're using Skype for phone and chat, which really works out well. Via my PC, I can call the US for just $.02 minute.

Mom finally got to talk to dad, which made her feel a little better, too. (Not sure if dad will read this, but we're not sure how he'll survive for 2-1/2 weeks without mom.) Mom is now happy as a sleepless clam because she's found men's Olympic figure skating on TV. Commentary is in Chinese, but she is actually pretty good at her own commentary which is keeping me amused while I type.

Eventually, we plan to meet up with the Rainey's to get breakfast, then we are taking a tour with them, the Adams' and possibly the Andreson's later today. It's a 5 hour bus tour to the Buddha, a rural fishing village and such. Since mom isn't a great long-distance hiker (and Deanna Rainey recently had knee surgery), it seemed like a good way to see a bit of the area that you can't easily access by public transportation.

For those keeping track, I am typing this at 5am Friday which is 3pm Thursday CST. Two days then Katie Day!