Beijing!

We're here in our room at the Poly Plaza. It is 11pm. We are getting up at 7 tomorrow to begin our big tour day. We'll leave the hotel at 8:30 and return at 6. THAT's how you see the Great Wall, Tian An Men Square and The Forbidden City all in one day.

Sunday, apparently, we are leaving the hotel at 6am to catch our flight to Guangzhou. Not much to do once we get there, I guess, but shop for Josie and Phoebe.

We met Krysta and Jason at the airport. Their flight arrived about 30 minutes after ours, so we were all on the same trip from the airport to the hotel. I had mentioned Krysta to others traveling with us, and they asked if I'd ever met her before. Well, not exactly. We've just been emailing for the past 2 years and have talked on the phone 2 or 3 times. Does that count? She was surprised we were still at the airport. It was nice to get to have the time to chat on the way back to the hotel. Our 2 travel groups will be touring together tomorrow, so we'll get that time to hang out as well.

It is so surreal being here. It's kind of strange. I just look around and think, "OK, Beijing. We're actually in Beijing." I can't believe it. It's almost like an out of body experience and I'm just watching.

Time for bed to get some much needed rest. It's going to be a long, fun day tomorrow.

Phoebe: I can't wait to talk to you. We should be able to call tomorrow. We love you.