BECAUSE THEY WAIT: Leaving on a Jet Plane

So, Wednesday July12th started by dropping Evan off to go with a friend for band camp and dropping the littles off to preschool. Then, Drew, Anna, Rebecca, Grandma Sugar and myself all headed to the airport. They had no trouble checking in and Grandma Sugar and I left by 8:45. I was forced to leave quickly because I left the van at curbside to unload them and ran in with them. So, there was no time for lengthy goodbyes. Which, was a good thing 😥

Their flight was scheduled to take off at 10:50 am for Chicago with a short layover and on to Beijing from there. HOWEVER, the day turned out much different. Here are the updates I was getting from Drew:

FIRST STEP: Drop off at the airport 8:30 am 7/12/17 CHECK

UPDATE #1: Drew and Anna were suppose to depart at 10:50. However, due to severe weather in Chicago, they have been continually delayed and are in a holding pattern until weather clears and have missed their scheduled connecting flight to China. So, the adventure twists and turns begin early in this trip:) They are fine and not worried, just anxious to get to the next step.

UPDATE #2 (12:25) The flight to Chicago is delayed until 1:15. Then their flight to China is delayed until 9 PM so they won't' arrive in China until early Friday Morning. More to come, I'm sure:)

UPDATE #3 (5:30 pm) They are just now leaving Louisville. Hoping to catch the remaining connections for Friday morning arrival in China.

UPDATE #4 (9:30 pm) Just heard from Drew Ryan. They are boarding in Chicago and headed to LAX and should arrive around 11:40 pm and then depart 1:40 am California and arrive in Beijing around 5:30 am Friday morning. They are tired but in good spirits.

UPDATE #5 (5:45 am) OK, things are on track now. They left at 2 am this morning from LAX and are scheduled to arrive in Beijing @ 5:30 am Friday Morning (7/14/17). *Please keep Anna Ryan in your prayers, Drew messaged me before let took off at 1 am that Anna's ears are really hurting her

So skip to Friday Morning 7-14-17 Tienanmen Square, Forbidden City and Hutong Tour.

Right from Plane to Tour, but made it

Drew and Anna arrived, dropped extra luggage they had brought to New Hope in Beijing and then met their Guide George. They got back to the hotel and grabbed a quick bite to eat and then made it in time to join the group for the scheduled Tienanmen Square, Forbidden City and Hutong Tour. Hutong is the traditional courtyard residences of Beijing locals, and most of Hutong building you see nowadays are the heritage from Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties (with nearly 700 years history). It represents an important cultural element of the city of Beijing.