Dec. 23rd - My first train ride!!! (Kaeli)

(Mom said I had to first apologize for them not posting on the blog for several days. There was no internet access in the White Swan hotel rooms and Mama and Laurie were kept busy by the tour guides and me and couldn't get out to do posts! But we'll try to be better now!)

I had my first train ride today!!!! We checked out of the White Swan in Gunagzhou, and Grace took Mama and Laurie and me to the train station on a mini bus. Which was a good idea, because frankly Mama and Laurie have WAY too much luggage and bags!!! I'm traveling light - just a diaper bag - I don't know where they get all this stuff they're carting around!!!

Grace helped us find our way to the right train, and she checked our luggage for us. We got on this very nice modern train and had a wonderful ride to Hong Kong. Or at least Mama says it was wonderful - I took a nap for most of it. But I'll take Mama's word for it that it was wonderful.

When I woke up I entertained everyone, and the two men in the seat behind Mama held me for a little bit and played with me. The Mama and Daddy in the seat ahead of us talked with us about their baby (who wasn't nearly as cute or smart as me, of course!) who they had also adopted. Since they are Chinese, it only took them a couple of months to adopt her. But I told Mama I was worth the wait for her!!!

We saw beautiful Chinese countryside, and then huge modern tall apartment buildings and office buildings as we got nearer to Hong Kong. When we got off the train, we followed the crowd and then realized we hadn't gone to where our luggage was! Laurie had to sneak back in a "Restricted Entry" door and rescue our luggage, which was a big relief for Mama. Then we had an adventure finding a taxicab - Laurie went over a couple of bumps and the luggage went flying - it was really funny!!! Several people came to our rescue and helped us into TWO cabs, because our luggage wouldn't all fit into one!!! Mama and Laurie were quite stressed out about being separated, but I was very calm and knew it would work out all right. Only Laurie had Hong Kong money that she had gotten at the train station while Mama watched me and the luggage, so Mama's taxicab driver was a little miffed that Mama made him wait until Laurie showed up to pay him.

We're checked into the Kimberley Hotel here in Hong Kong, and we had a wonderful lunch (Boy, congee and noodles sure are good!). I'm keeping everyone laughing, which is my job. We're going to go for a walk now outside and try to find a place for milk for me for dinner.

Yei-Yei and Nai-Nai - Mama says to tell you that we need animal crackers (Mama is concerned about how low the supply is getting) and chocolate chip cookies in the car ride home from the airport. And Laurie wants a big hug from Dave. Other than that, we'll be fine!!!