We arrive in Guangzhou where there is no guide. We were not given to expect one, but there is a problem. All the signs are in Chinese, no one speaks English and we need to check in at the China Southern desk to get to Beijing.
We wander. We seek English-speakers. We look for our luggage. Finally, we do find the China Southern desk, only because we happen to recognize the logo. We present our paper ticket. The customer service rep does not speak much English but can tell us our gate. We gratefully head in that direction. We are not in a hurry because we believe the plane is to leave in an hour.
There are many announcements on the loudspeaker, but they are all in Chinese.
As we approach the gate, there is a frantic flight attendant gesturing wildly at us. We run. She scolds us in Chinese (no mistaking a scolding, regardless of the language) and we board the plane, the absolute LAST passengers on board. We are glared at. A lot. Apparently the flight time change was announced, but we couldn't understand it.
We fly to Beijing in coach, mighty uncomfortable both physically and by the fact that we are stared and/or glared at by our fellow passengers for quite a while. I am relieved when they begin to ignore us. Anyway, coach seats are not built for Americans-- dh is 6 foot tall, neither of us are remarkably overweight, and we are squished like sardines. AND I have absolutely no confirmation whatsoever that our agency rep will know to pick us up at the airport. We don't speak any Chinese, nor do we have a Chinese language card for our hotel. If we aren't picked up at the airport, we are scr*wed beyond belief.
But, happily, we are picked up at the airport. The other couple going to the orphanage is a couple who lives about 10 miles from our house! They're lawyers, but very friendly. We love them. We're happy. We're sleep-deprived and a little giddy. We realize we are now on our way to pick up our daughter. Oh. My. God.
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