Days 2-3 Where's an Air Marshall When You Need One?

Hang on for the story that goes with that question while I share the events of the day that led to that point. Friday all in all went pretty smoothly. We got to the airport after a sweet goodbye with Ryan and grandma/pa. We had checked and double checked the Cathay website and were pleasantly surprised the weight limit was 70#. So when the check in rep said we were over at 55 # (and 61# on our other suitcase) we explained we had checked the website. She said that only applied if we were flying to Brazil?!@# She had no interest in averaging out the weight of all our bags despite my pleas. The overage was going to be $100 per bag. We opted for the cheaper choice and I ran to the gift shop and purchased a reasonably priced bag. The guy running the other check in kiosk helped us and told our check in agent we were good to go! Flight #1 to Chicago was smooth with great leg room. We were anxious to get to the international terminal before we got lunch. Little did we know there was no restaurant and only a sandwich option by doing so. Appreciate Liam’s $19 lunch! Bad choice and lesson learned.

The next leg was on Cathay and going from Chicago straight through to Hong Kong. Liam and Jenna proved to be amazing travelers. Liam was catered to with a package of activities and a kid’s meal that would put McDonald’s to shame in addition to all we had packed. Our seats were 64G, H, J and K. We were a little concerned over the guy in seat 63K (in front of Jenna) as he was ordering beers 2 at a time. He gave the flight attendant a little grief when she only brought out 1 so she obliged and from then on brought out 2. We lost track how many he threw back. Well, it turned out to be the lady in seat 67G we should have been worried about. As we were all dozing around 9:00, we heard some squeals which jostled us awake. That was followed by what sounded like doors slamming and then lots of screaming. We turned to see a lady in the bathroom flailing and fighting with another passenger outside the bathroom. It was difficult to figure out what was going on but later became clear he was interceding somehow. Up to this point we had been commenting how sweet our flight attendants were. They were all Asian and all petite and so sweet. Although they were tall enough to reach the overhead baggage they were not a comfort when they came upon this agitated passenger. That was the time we were hoping a 6’5” strapping air marshall would emerge. Nope. It ended up being several male passengers that subdued her. After about an hour, seats were rearranged and she was somehow connected to the back row. After we landed they asked us to all stay seated while 6 police officers came to greet her along with at least 10 more right outside the doors.

We had no trouble getting our shuttle to the hotel and enjoyed our overnight stay in Hong Kong. We heard in China a ‘twin’ bed is really the size of what we call a full. So in HK, I had requested 2 twin beds. For the record, a twin bed in HK is really a twin size bed. The good news is that we were sooooo tired we all slept well. We enjoyed a little time putzing around Sunday after a delicious breakfast buffet with Celine Dion playing in the background. I don’t’ know why but there is something about Asian culture that really captures me. Trust me, I will be homesick in about a minute but at that moment I started having some honest regrets about taking 2 children away from all of this. This culture has so much history, is so pure and they have so much pride. I know of all these, pride is not an admirable quality but there is still something I find so captivating.

Early afternoon we boarded the train and started for Guangzhou. As we made our way through the countryside and through several cities, it was then I was reminded what a divided nation this is. There is a HUGE discrepancy between the haves and the have nots. The truth is that even most of the “haves” have less than we have. In any case, I was sadly reminded that my children would both have become have nots had they stayed here. That is the tragic truth of the matter.

We were greeted shortly after we were made it through customs (and Jenna’s first squatty potty experience) by our wonderful guide, Rebecca! We enjoyed our time with her this afternoon as she helped us get settled into our hotel. Our hotel is beautiful and the room is perfect (and so are the sleeping arrangements)! We ate a quick dinner out and are more than ready to crash for the night. Rebecca shared that she has met our daughter on 5 different occasions. She went on about how cute and sweet she seems but also how shy she is. She has a favorite ayi and they are very close. That is good news as it shows she has been able to form a healthy attachment after losing her birth parents. But we also know there is a greater likelihood we are going to meet one shy and scared little girl. Please pray for her heart. Pray for her to be able to receive all the love we have to offer her. Liam has talked about her countless times inquiring in his way how much longer. Not much longer Liam, not much longer.

Good night from Guangzhou! Next post, KINLEY!!