Good Morning everyone! It's 3 in the AM and I am definitely not tired, so what do I do? That's right, I blog!
Where to begin??? We got on the plane at 8 this morning, total it was about a 14 hour plane ride. It was the coolest plane ride I had ever been on. Most pilots, when flying to China take a south east flight to China, but our pilot took a north west path. It was the coolest thing ever! At one point I looked out the window, and we were flying over Antartica! I saw an entire ocean, FROZEN! There were glaciers that looked like they could very possibly be the size of all Des Moines! There were also some that looked to be the size of my foot! It was an amazing site. I went back to the window to look about 6 hours later, and it was desert! When we got to Beijing, it was all greenland!
Beijing, was not at all what I expected. It was the best of the past present and future. The arcitecture is so cool! I will have to take pictures later on today and post them so you can see what I am talking about. Some of the buildings were very traditional style buildings. Right next to those buildings, were buildings that were sky scarpers like you'd see in any big city. Next to those would be buildings that looked like Rhombus'(rectangles, on their side, and tilted)!
When we got to the airport, I learned that the Beijing airport is currently the largest indoor space in the world. They are so advanced in technology also, their customs, was not the traditional, wait in long lines, have some airport representative search through your stuff, etc. Instead, they had what looked like metal detectors that you walked through, and that was it!
We got to our hotel, and don't even worry about how Ron, Jamie, Kamilah, and I are all sleeping on twin beds in our 4 star hotel! The beds are super hard, alot like the floor, I actually contemplated taking the floor to the bed, as it may have given a little more comfort, because of the carpet lol! The bell hop spoke some English, and recomended a hotel restaurant for dinner. The restaurant was beautiful! Each party that wen there had their own private room, with their own personal waitstaff. We, however, needed 7 waitstaff, because, the menu was in all Chinese, and the staff spoke little English. Ron did, however, have his "Chinese for Dummy's" book that helped a little. We resolved that minor detail by telling the waitress what meat we wanted and she'd flip through the menu and suggest something. The food was amazing, even though we have no idea what we ordered! My dad decided to pick up the check for our first dinner in Beijing. Those of you who know my family know, that this is not an out of the ordinary thing. What was, however, was that when the bill came, dad paid for it, then went to the hotel room to see how much he had paid in Yero, and dont even worry about how the bill came to $37! Yes, you read that correctly, for 7 people, dinner was $37!
We went back to our rooms, completely stuffed, and still laughing about the dinner experience. It finally hit me, I am in Beijing, China! I looked at Shani and said "Wow, I have butterflies!" She looked at me with HUGE eyes, and said "Why? Because you just realized that tomorrow you're competing in the Olympics, in China?" I looked at her and said "Did you just freak out?" she laughed and said "Yeah, but I think I'm over it now!" Oh it was so funny we all laughed at that one. Although, it is a very sobering thought!
So, that's it so far, I will try really hard to keep everyone updated with this blog as to what is going on here. I will also try to upload pictures later today, so you can enjoy Beijing with me. This has been a wonderful experience already so far, it's reminded me how ginormous (yes, i made that word up) the world actually is. It reminded me that the possibilites are limitless and all you have to do is to reach out and grab them. This is a truth that I will try hard to hold on to because it is a truely liberating, and exciting truth. After all, we only have a short time on this earth to live our dreams, I don't want to waste any time stating "what if" or "if only", because the "what if's" and the "if only's" are there for you to explore. (marinate on it for a while) ANYWAY, I love you all dearly, and can't wait to blog again to keep you all as close to me as humanly possible as I go through this adventure!
With Love,
Tsehaye
Where to begin??? We got on the plane at 8 this morning, total it was about a 14 hour plane ride. It was the coolest plane ride I had ever been on. Most pilots, when flying to China take a south east flight to China, but our pilot took a north west path. It was the coolest thing ever! At one point I looked out the window, and we were flying over Antartica! I saw an entire ocean, FROZEN! There were glaciers that looked like they could very possibly be the size of all Des Moines! There were also some that looked to be the size of my foot! It was an amazing site. I went back to the window to look about 6 hours later, and it was desert! When we got to Beijing, it was all greenland!
Beijing, was not at all what I expected. It was the best of the past present and future. The arcitecture is so cool! I will have to take pictures later on today and post them so you can see what I am talking about. Some of the buildings were very traditional style buildings. Right next to those buildings, were buildings that were sky scarpers like you'd see in any big city. Next to those would be buildings that looked like Rhombus'(rectangles, on their side, and tilted)!
When we got to the airport, I learned that the Beijing airport is currently the largest indoor space in the world. They are so advanced in technology also, their customs, was not the traditional, wait in long lines, have some airport representative search through your stuff, etc. Instead, they had what looked like metal detectors that you walked through, and that was it!
We got to our hotel, and don't even worry about how Ron, Jamie, Kamilah, and I are all sleeping on twin beds in our 4 star hotel! The beds are super hard, alot like the floor, I actually contemplated taking the floor to the bed, as it may have given a little more comfort, because of the carpet lol! The bell hop spoke some English, and recomended a hotel restaurant for dinner. The restaurant was beautiful! Each party that wen there had their own private room, with their own personal waitstaff. We, however, needed 7 waitstaff, because, the menu was in all Chinese, and the staff spoke little English. Ron did, however, have his "Chinese for Dummy's" book that helped a little. We resolved that minor detail by telling the waitress what meat we wanted and she'd flip through the menu and suggest something. The food was amazing, even though we have no idea what we ordered! My dad decided to pick up the check for our first dinner in Beijing. Those of you who know my family know, that this is not an out of the ordinary thing. What was, however, was that when the bill came, dad paid for it, then went to the hotel room to see how much he had paid in Yero, and dont even worry about how the bill came to $37! Yes, you read that correctly, for 7 people, dinner was $37!
We went back to our rooms, completely stuffed, and still laughing about the dinner experience. It finally hit me, I am in Beijing, China! I looked at Shani and said "Wow, I have butterflies!" She looked at me with HUGE eyes, and said "Why? Because you just realized that tomorrow you're competing in the Olympics, in China?" I looked at her and said "Did you just freak out?" she laughed and said "Yeah, but I think I'm over it now!" Oh it was so funny we all laughed at that one. Although, it is a very sobering thought!
So, that's it so far, I will try really hard to keep everyone updated with this blog as to what is going on here. I will also try to upload pictures later today, so you can enjoy Beijing with me. This has been a wonderful experience already so far, it's reminded me how ginormous (yes, i made that word up) the world actually is. It reminded me that the possibilites are limitless and all you have to do is to reach out and grab them. This is a truth that I will try hard to hold on to because it is a truely liberating, and exciting truth. After all, we only have a short time on this earth to live our dreams, I don't want to waste any time stating "what if" or "if only", because the "what if's" and the "if only's" are there for you to explore. (marinate on it for a while) ANYWAY, I love you all dearly, and can't wait to blog again to keep you all as close to me as humanly possible as I go through this adventure!
With Love,
Tsehaye
4 comments:
I miss you so much already!!! I am so glad you decided to blog because I am constantly thinking about what you guys are all up to.....and most importantly what purses you have bought so far..LOL!!! Your blog ended so deeply...great dont tell me you are going all philosopjical on me. I cant handle both you and Joey double teaming me! Anyway, you are all in my thoughts and prayers (yes Tsehaye, i pray). Wishing you many more adventures, and a safe happy return home. You are right, the possibilities are limitless.....
Thanks for sharing your experience and passion with us! I got chill bumps reading your entry. Have you considered a career in writing? Please keep sharing! Stay safe - Tracey
Thank you so much for sharing. I am so excited. I will be partying like a rockstar tonight. Kiss my big brother for me and tell him I changed my mind on the gift, I want a cute purse!!!
(Thank you father for blessing us so richly. We love you!!!)
Continue to share as we wait in tip toe anticipation....
Love you
Unlike the other posters, I dont care about purses. But we wanted to say how much we miss you guys and how proud we are of Shani. The pictures are great, our family and people at my work have been enjoying your guys vacation with you. Tsehaye your blog is very thoughtful and the pictures are awesome. I just wanted you all to know that you are right there are a bunch of people here in MN and probably IA that were pulling for Shani. Kare 11 and Eric Perkins have been especially supportive. Im glad that you guys are enjoying your trip -holla at me Im getting married in June
Wesley Spain
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