you tube video of Kasey & Nanny

I have been meaning to post some pictures of Kasey and Nanny's trip to China. And I will. But for now I found a video of them on the Great Wall of China. I found it on You Tube, go figure.

Now my mother is a You Tube hit! She is actually the picture on the front of the video. There is more pics of Kasey and Nanny, and they are very nice. It is about 5 minutes long. Take a few minutes and watch.


Click here for watch the video

The China Trip that will never end ...

I didn't have a chance to update everyone last night, as it was very late when we got the final update. Right now, I am kind of upset about this whole thing, so I'm going to write without getting very angry.

The information is so confusing. They made it into Chicago very late last night. Obviously they missed the flight into Tampa, not that it mattered as Kasey didn't have a ticket to Tampa.

I just spoke with Nanny and they are booked on a 5 pm flight out of Chicago, but they are heading to the airport as we speak to get on the Stand-by list for the 9:30am flight.

I hope that they make it home. Today is Trevor's birthday and we would really like them home to celebrate!

Homeward Bound ...

Well... not yet...

Funny, isn't that how I started blogging this trip.

They are in the USA. The plane was unable to land into Chicago because of very bad weather, so they put wheels down in Greenbay, Wisconsin. However, you must clear customs in the first place you land, BUT Greenbay does not have a Customs Office!! They will have to sit on the airplane until they can be cleared to land in Chicago.

I just spoke to Nanny and Kasey (yeah!!) they are happily enjoying the scenic views of the airport from the plane window. No word right now as to when they can take off. And this also means that there is a chance that they will miss their connection. With Chicago all but shut down right now, there is a chance they can make the connection!!

Here is the zinger .... If you remember, they all were separated on the initial flight out of Tampa to Chicago due to Visa issues ... Remember ?? There were 4 flights?? Nanny made it on the 1st flight and Kasey on the last .... Well all the kids/adults on that last flight do not have tickets on the connecting flight to Tampa and are required to go Stand-by .... Yup, Kasey doesn't have a ticket. If they make the connection and Kasey can get on the flight then they will make it home sometime late tonight or very early in the morning. If Kasey cannot make the flight, than Nanny will give up her ticket and stay with Kasey in Chicago until they can get her on a flight...

Basically ... If the planets are all in alignment, than they will be home. UGH !!

True Chinese Cuisine .....

That is the main subject of all the e-mails coming our way from China. Seems today they served an entire Chicken on a platter. Chicken complete with feet, neck and head. I am sure the Kasey thought that was the funniest thing in the world. And I am sure she took pictures of it.

The group visited Tianamen Square today. I am hoping the tour guide gave them the background of the area so they could get the entire WOW factor. They also visited the crystal coffin that Chairman Mao was laid to rest. And then they went to the Temple of Heaven and played a "wierd hacky sack" game like the Chinese did. From the e-mail, everyone bought a hacky sack! Tomorrow is Kasey's big concert in the Forbidden City.

I received an e-mail from Mom today too. She didn't say too much, just they are really busy with seeing everything and having a great time.

Shopping in China

My mom was able to get an e-mail off before their flight to Beijing. They had a blast their last day in Shanghai. They did some serious shopping and I can't wait to see what they found along the way. Nothing is better than Chinese Trinket shopping!! Kasey made a good dent in her "to buy for" list, I am sure.

The latest update said that internet access in Beijing is touch and go. The hotel doesn't have any access in the rooms. They landed in Beijing at 3:14am our time. The hotel is nice, newly renovated. I should be receiving another update once the group arrives back at the hotel, which should be in about 1 hour.

Chinese Chicken Feet ....

The e-mail I recieve was from last 10am yesterday, China time. We just received the e-mail from from today with today's highlights. They went to the Silk Factory and were grossed out by silk worms. Apparantly many of them didn't realize where silk came from. The highlight of the day was practicing with the Chinese Orchestra, they played authentic Chinese instruments and everyone had a great time, there was a lot of laughter from both sides.

Today, the food wasnt' so good. One of the offerings was Chicken Feet and Bamboo Shoots. Most students left the food on the plates, some tried it. They didn't want to ask what it was in fear that they wouldn't be able to stomach it, but they did and they were freaked out.

I don't think I will hear from Kasey or Mom tomorrow, they are traveling to Beijing.

Having a Great Time in China

I received an e-mail last night @ 10pm our time. The orchestra was busy practicing for their big performance before they hit the Silk Factory and Yu Gardens. Mom said that sounded wonderful. The weather is nice and a little overcast, apparently there is alot of smog. Kasey encountered her first squatter toilet, and passed on it, waiting in line for a "western one". She did take a picture!! The culture is drastically different, she is in a little shock. They are enjoying the food (imagine that), they said it was amazing. Their dinner last night was at a very nice restaurant on the water in the "The Bund" district.

They are having the time of their lives! Taking lots of pictures to share! It is now 10:05pm on Thursday in China, they are leaving at 8am for Beijing.

I'll update again when I receive the next e-mail.

Off, Off and away ..... to China

I am happy to report that they are at the gate in Chicago waiting to board. They will fly directly to China and land at 1:55pm (June 25th) China time, which is 1:55am (June 25th) our time. China is exactly 12 hours ahead of us!

Kasey and Nanny got a good nights sleep in Chicago. They were unable to have dinner with Tara because Kasey was so late arriving. They did go to a local well known Chicago eatery for dinner and back to the hotel to pass out.

I'll update the trip along the way, we are on a distribution list and receive updates everyday.

It makes me want to burst out a really bad rendition of John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane" !! ha ha ha ....