Exactly ONE WEEK from tonight, on the evening of June 8th, my parents Mike & Jen are schedule to land at the Beijing airport! When I think about it my heart rate picks up a few bpm because I'm just jazzed! It's their first time to visit.
We're riding an overnight train to meet them in Beijing, and taking them to the Forbidden City (gigantic ancient palace for emperor) and the Great Wall. Just as they're getting over jet lag, we'll ride another overnight train back to our home in Changsha, where we'll basically stay put for the next five weeks. Yes -- they're here for FIVE WEEKS! It's going to be wonderful. Blissful. Extra special.
But not all roses. Mike & Jen get a package deal when they come to visit us. "Happy time with kids and grandkids, and we'll throw in some free culture shock!" Five weeks of not being able to communicate with the general populous, read anything, go anywhere or buy something by oneself. Five weeks of intermittent diarrhea, no personal space, nauseating smells, odd foods, peculiar behaviors, heatstroke, a grimy feeling, and lots of stress. My parents are excellent guests and very flexible, healthy and energetic, but this is the reality of culture shock! I know they'll do great, but uplift them.
I've got a verbal agreement from my mother that she's going to be a guest writer on this blog. You'll get to see and hear China through her eyes. You definitely want to be stopping by to read her posts in the month of June!
YEA!!! We count down the months, weeks, sleeps, and hours till we get to see my parents, and we see them every few months, so I can only guess how you feel! I hope it is a WONDERFUL visit! Hugs.
ReplyDeleteWhat? No mosquitoes?!?
ReplyDeleteWe'd take a slow boat to China to see the dumplins!
One of the dumplins had no less than seven mosquito bites on his face alone today...oh dear...
ReplyDeleteHey Rach and Drew i am so excited and a bit jealous that Mike, Jen, and our luggage are coming to visit you and we are not... someday maybe! Here is the deal, you can't keep them ok?!? well i guess if the Father says that you can i guess then who am i to argue but we really love them too :) We love you guys have a great visit with them... can you break a few things so your dad will have some stuff to do periodically!!! haha can't wait to hear the fun times you have with them!
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