Flying Over Santa's House!

Yesterday my daughter Melanie and I began a fantastic journey.  We have traveled over 14,000 miles on a Boeing 777 to arrive safely in Shanghai, China. We left Chicago, Illinois yesterday at about 11 AM and flew directly over the North Pole on our way here!  I had absolutely no idea that we would be traveling over the top of the world to the other side!  The flight was long, but very pleasant.

 We were picked up at Shanghai's beautiful new Pudong Airport by my son's assistant Jolin!    The airport is a beautiful shining example of the new China here in Shanghai which is the busiest port city in China.  There is commerce here of all types and people everywhere!  There are so many types of architecture and variations on the Chinese way of life here.  Jolin was extremely helpful, explaining many local customs and practices to us.  It seems that many of the Chinese also choose "American" names for everyday commerce because of ease of use.   Jolin made us laugh when we asked her about her name.  She told us that she loved Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt!  Soooo, she chose "Jolin" for her name and "Angelina" for her daughter! 

The area in East Shanghai where the new airport is located is also the location of the MagLev Train...we have vowed to take a ride on this 400 mile an hour train before leaving Shanghai!  East Shanghai is the area of greatest New development, with many, many new highways and high rise apartments springing up here.  Real Estate in Shanghai is extremely expensive, and most Chinese families are multi-family arrangements with grandparents, parents, adult children and grandchildren sharing the same space.  Housing here is the third highest in price in the world! 

My son, Charles, lives in what is called the "French Quarter" of Shanghai.  Long rows of what appear to be townhouse like buildings border alleys (which by the way, here in Shanghai are very safe).  This house Charles is living in is six stories piled like blocks one story on top of the other.  It is a very old building with stairs separating each floor.  Each floor consists of one or two rooms.  In most of the homes on the alley, each of these floors is occupied by a different family group, and they all share the bottom "kitchen and eating area" floor with all the families.  Once again, I realize just how spoiled we are as Americans! 

The people here are very gracious and we are really enjoying the culture in China so far.  We will be leaving Shanghai on Thursday to head to Thailand - Bangkok, Koh Sumai and PhuKet!  So much to do, so little time...this two weeks will fly by.  We shall be in Thailand for about 9 days before returning for a couple days to Shanghai.  I already know that this will not be my last trip to this fascinating City. 

Today, we shall go to the market district and see shopping at it's very best!  I will also be carrying a good camera to capture as much of this trip as possible. So, hang on, I plan to share a lot with you all over the next two weeks!  As they say in Shanghai "Nihao!"

GOD BLESS,  Peace, Love and Joy!

 

Getting It Together

I'm packing again tonight to leave in the morning for Okaloosa Island.  My anticipation is always so great the night before that I can not sleep.  I love the Island. 

Today was the day I had to go back to the Travel Clinic in Bibb County to get my booster for Japanese Encephalitis and I also got my yearly Flu shot.  Boy, I thought it was bad when I had to pay $339 last time, but the second Encephalitis shot today was $222.  Good Grief!  I hate pharmaceutical companies.  They hold every one of us hostage with their exhorbitant prices on medications.  No two shots can be worth more than $400.  Plus, insurance will not pay for these injections since I would not need them if I were not traveling overseas.  

I am very excited about the upcoming trip to Shanghai and Bejing, as well as Bangkok, Koh Sumai and Phuket!  I am now up to snuff on all my injections, but will have to have one more booster on the Hepatitis A shot in six months.  The shots were not REQUIRED, but from what I have read, I wouldn't want Japanese Encephalitis, and after my Whooping Cough experience this Summer, I am feeling a bit vulnerable.  That is why I also chose to go and get my Flu Shot today.  I am taking all the protective measures I can.

I also ordered Pyrethrin today to spray on our clothing which we will wear if we enter the jungle areas.  We don't want to be bitten by mosquitoes, which can carry Malaria.  We will be taking anti-malarial drugs with us as well as some antibiotics and anti-diarrheal drugs.
Sounds like a lot of preparation, but this should be a "bucket list" adventure for all of us!

I just love traveling, no matter where it is.  I love learning about the customs and history of people around the world.  I love seeing all the variety of scenery which has been laid out for our enjoyment.  We are flying over Coach, and coming back First Class...I'm feeling extraordinarily spoiled with all of this.  This trip is one I would never have been able to make without my son Charles providing the opportunity.  It is definitely the adventure of a lifetime.

We are planning on leaving here December 3rd.  The time will pass quickly between now and then because I have a lot to do this Fall.  I will be going to Okaloosa the end of October to volunteer as a nurse at an Iron Man competition.  Then we will be going back to Okaloosa for the Thanksgiving Holiday, and a Mannheim Steamroller Concert in Pensacola!  I love love love Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas concerts, they are absolutely amazing. 

We will return from Okaloosa November 28th and then I am leaving on December 3rd!Whew, I am going to be busy!  In January I am leaving again to join two friends on a Caribbean Cruise to Jamaica, Labadee Haiti and Grand Caymen.   I am going with best friends Trish and Roberta and we will have such a grand time.

Boy, this Fall and Winter are going to fly by.  I will have lots to blog about for sure, and hope to have lots and lots of pictures to share with all of you. 

I have learned that packing may be interesting, since December in China is going to be COLD but in Thailand HOT!  I may need to buy some long johns! 

Well, that's all for tonight, but I will keep in touch.  Lots of exciting things coming up, but for now I am headed to Okaloosa and the peace and joy I relish there. 

GOD BLESS - Peace, Love and Joy!