iLeonard
Keeping up with the Leonards
We are in Changchun!

Hello from Changchun!

We made it! Mar and I were met by our facilitator/translator at the Beijing hotel this morning. The 3 of us then caught a flight to Changchun, the capital city of the Jilin province.

It’s very different here from Beijing. First off, its cold, probably 32 but feels like 10! It was about a 30 minute rural drive from the airport here. The town looks just like Chicago does in the winter, cars and streets are kinda dirty, and there is a grey overcast.  Our facilitator has never been here before and was probing the driver for local information. This province borders North Korea and has a Korean influence, with that being said, the driver offered to take us for special dinner popular in this province, dog!! We politely declined. Once checked in, we went to check out the hotel restaurant, guess what’s on the menu, dog, along with many other creatures. Another thing that we noticed quickly, there are no other foreigners here. We walked around trying to find a bank to convert some money and people were really staring.

The hotel is, well, it will do for 4 nights; I’ll leave it at that. We were spoiled in Beijing. We did end up eating in the hotel restaurant this evening. With the help of our facilitator we avoided danger and ended up with a really nice dinner and were treated like royalty.

Tomorrow is GOTCHA DAY! We are scheduled to leave at 8:15am to receive Lyric. Mar has bugged me twenty times while writing this blog about what outfit we should bring to put Lyric in tomorrow (uhh, the warm one) Oh yes honey, that one will be great! Needless to say, we are anxious and can’t wait to meet her!

Laine, daddy misses you…the giggles, and even the whining.

To the crazy Grandmas….I will post something when we return from the civil affairs office which should be around noon here, 11pm your time.

Hugs to all,

Doug

 

 


Posted 04-05-2010 8:02 AM by Doug

Comments

Todd wrote re: We are in Changchun!
on 04-05-2010 9:15 AM

Man....I woulda been all over that Special dinner!

Popos wrote re: We are in Changchun!
on 04-05-2010 10:38 AM

I hope you did'nt eat any dog. Duke will never look at you the same way.

Tiff Bolhouse wrote re: We are in Changchun!
on 04-05-2010 10:42 AM

I am so excited for you guys.  I just checked out your site and I can't believe how much you're blogging!!!  I'm impressed, that's so cool.  

PS.  Mom's are supposed to make a big deal over what to dress them in.  It's what we do!  Fake it and show interest.  :-)

Carol Surrells wrote re: We are in Changchun!
on 04-05-2010 11:27 AM

The blogs and videos are great!!!!   We'll be up tonight glued to the computer waiting to hear (and/or see) you tonight - no matter what time!  Wish we could be there to give Lyric a 'welcome to the family' hug and kiss.  Stay safe!

Lisa Heintz wrote re: We are in Changchun!
on 04-05-2010 12:17 PM

Please dont eat Ava & Bowie!!!!!!!!!!!

Doug.......Tell Mar to bring 2 or 3 outfits and choose when you get there lolololol.

Please stay safe while you are there!  Cant wait to see the pictures

Malinda wrote re: We are in Changchun!
on 04-05-2010 1:47 PM

Glad you guys are enjoying the trip so far. Your'e right the sleep problems are probaby the excitement. EMERGENCEE Mar, take your EMERGENCEE. Love you guys and can't wait to see you w/ your daughter later!!!!!

Heather McCann wrote re: We are in Changchun!
on 04-05-2010 4:11 PM

Sooo excited for you guys !  What an adventure!   Is it possible to post pics if you can from GOTCHA' DAY ??  Looking forward to reading more !

Kim Mangini wrote re: We are in Changchun!
on 04-05-2010 6:34 PM

Sounds like "labor" has started!!  Avoid eating dog at all costs, it will make you puke and your might get a puppy instead of a baby.   Make sure you have enough Kleenex in case your water breaks(tears)!!   Take lots of pictures of the birth, G rated of course. And since Mar isn't eating much I'm sure she will have her figure back by the time you ge home.  We are  anxiously awaiting the good news.

Joey B wrote re: We are in Changchun!
on 04-05-2010 9:44 PM

Guess we'll know what that "really nice dinner" was if you come back licking yourself and scratching your ear with your leg.  Enough with the dog...WE WANT TO SEE LYRIC !!!

bigfoot16 wrote re: We are in Changchun!
on 04-05-2010 10:16 PM

I am so excited for you and Mar.   Looking forward to seeing little Lyric.   May God Bless you and Mar on this wonderful journey to bring home your new daughter.

Love you,

Aunt Nancy

Chelsss wrote re: We are in Changchun!
on 04-05-2010 11:31 PM

Well its Gotcha Day!

Such a long and emotional journey and you guys are finally there!!! Its 10:30PM here so Im sure you guys already have Lyric...Im so happy for you both and cant think of any other family who deserves this more than yours. I love you guys and am so very happy for you!

Love

Chels

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