We are in Xi'an!

It would now be 3:00 a.m. on Monday at home, but here it is Monday late afternoon. The trip went well, with both flights leaving and arriving on time! We had a 3-hour lay-over in Beijing, and we needed the entire time to go through immigration, take a tram, wait in line to file a claim for a missing suitcase (mine) and then straighten out other baggage issues due to incorrect labeling in Los Angeles. The kids were great! They helped each other and kept in good spirits in spite of the endless day (and for Amanda having to spend 13 hours sitting next to what she called a "bi-polar" infant). We were all met at the Xi'an airport by assistant principal Madame Wang and Mrs. Dong and Mrs. Fan (our two previous exchange teachers at Saugus). Both of these ladies know most of the students. We were all presented with lovely bouquets of flowers and had time to pose for a photo (which I will try to upload tomorrow) before the students were taken home by their host parents We will all meet tomorrow morning at school at 7:30 for our first day of class.

It was hot in Beijing (in spite of arriving at 5:00 a.m.) and warm here (about 90 degrees with lots of humidity) but a few minutes ago there was a heavy rain and the air is now cooler.

I can't wait to hear about the first day from the students tomorrow. Our big adventure has begun!