Outta here!

It was good to be moving on from Zhengzhou city today (Friday).  We spent the morning packing, having a light "picnic" lunch in the room, then checking out of the hotel early afternoon.

Packing up included the boys in a suitcase as well.  Then it was the boys bouncing on beds.  Then it was the boys climbing on the nightstand.  (It was a veritable circus.)  Then it was the parents going crazy.  Then somehow everything and everyone found their place.

Goodbye Room 340!

Just before leaving the hotel for the airport.

We swung by the passport office for our guide to put some polite pressure on them to finish up Jack's passport -- right on the way to the airport!  Thank you Lord for favor with those workers.

Jack's favorite place to nap.

At the play yard in the Zhengzhou airport.  It was the best playground thus far (other than our hotel room)!

He must have gone down this slide 20 times!

Finally, it's boarding time, after over an hour delay.  Jack's first plane ride is also his farewell to his home province.

So far, so good.  Buckled in.  Stickers help occupy and distract, but...the plane just sat there at the gate! We were told that we were waiting for air traffic control clearance.  We knew it wasn't looking good when they put on a movie (not suitable for family viewing), then they pulled out the serving carts laden with water, then some tempers flared among the natives (passengers and flight attendants).  Then after another hour, the plane finally pushed back from the gate -- but our boy didn't want to be buckled anymore!  Yes, he became that child you don't want to be sitting by on a flight.  Celinda didn't even notice the take-off as she was wrestling an unhappy toddler--she had already used up all her bag of tricks occupying him during the departure delay.  A nearby passenger offered gum, a key chain, and a flight attendant brought milk -- of course, he was not interested in any of these things.  He just wanted to be "up".    

So the minute that she could stand up (yes, even before the "Fasten your seatbelt" sign was turned off), Celinda stood up and he quieted down as if someone had flicked a switch.  On this note, it's not too early to be praying about next Saturday's flight from Hong Kong to Detroit!

Eventually, he (and John-Nathan) were out cold for the last portion of the flight.  So much for Jack using the seat we had to buy him! 

Finally, after a cloudy, bumpy descent, we made it to Guangzhou a couple of hours late.  Relieved, but tired, and with an additional 40 minute transfer to the hotel.  We were also relieved to be away from the man in handcuffs who was sitting across from on the plane -- but that's another one of those stories for another time!

Sweet of the hotel to have a crib ready with some thoughtful touches!

We know that we are a day behind -- we will try to catch you up with tomorrow's post.