Preparation

Well, as Peter, Paul and Mary sang the lyrics written by John Denver (but this time Peter is going, too!):

All my bags are packed
Im ready to go
Im standin here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin
Its early morn
The taxis waitin
Hes blowin his horn
Already Im so lonesome
I could die

But, Im leavin on a jet plane
Dont know when Ill be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

We travel all the time, but this trip has a few more jitters and "stuff" to do. Got Chinese Yuan currency and it was called "exotic." Still hear customs in China is a challenge so we may spend the entire time in the Hong Kong airport terminal (remember Tom Hanks' movie - Terminal)? Gotta finish up some work, packing, and spend a few minutes with Alex who is jetting back from LA about the time we leave, and then head out at 4 a.m.

We have arranged in Beijing to meet our neighbors! Jana (Haas from Hunter's point graduated with Drew) and husband Dave Krohne are backpacking around the world (neat, huh?). They happen to be in Beijing when we are so we are getting together! Talk about small world!

Great sunny, "dry" day here in Colorado Springs. Checked weather.com and it is 90s with 90% humidity were we are headed. Gotta finish up and stash a whole lot of energy bars in the bag as we continue to hear "interesting" stories of food served in China. Have a great 4th of July to our US friends!

Finally, our trip to China is coming together. The work with Maryann's client to finalize the business portion has been long and complicated. Taking 19 business people to China and planning all aspects of the trip takes a great deal of patience and creativity.

We leave on July 3rd, miss most of the 4th of July, and end up in Beijing (we hope) late on July 4th. We took a chance on an economy flight and upgraded so hope to have some comfort on the way there. We are staying at the Marriot Courtyard (American hotels for some convenience and English).

Our tour is with Kensington and begins in ancient Beijing. Sprinkled with a few business meetings, the trip will include seeing the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, an opera, a visit to a home, and many miles of China. We head to Guillan next to see exquisite terrain, take a bicycle ride, and float down the river to Yangshou. Here, we stay at a Sheraton and then a Chinese Hotel. We will experience theater and a cooking class there.

We head to Guanzhou and Hong Kong where Maryann goes to work 7x24 while Peter tours the industrial site of the former city of Canton, China. We have one more touring day together in Hong Kong with work colleagues Lisa, Nigel, and Andrea - and then back to the U.S.

We understand it will be hot so we are selecting clothes and planning to travel light (carry on only).

Countdown? 18 days to departure!