The Huangpu River

Hey,

I'll try to process some feelings first. The first is congratulations Rachel and Jake. I am so sorry we missed your wedding. Rachel, I know you were the most beautiful bride / I am so happy for you both. Please know that we love you and that we're praying for you. Not being there is one of those times in life when one (that is, I) acutely feels their own limitations. I pray that the God of all Comforts makes up for our lack. Please know that I thought of you and prayed for you on the flight / and that are hearts are there with you.

So - getting here is quite long - 22 hrs from our door to hotel - I think my nails grew a half an inch. Nice that the plane has a GPS option in the little entertainment / info system - so you can track your progress.

Then suddenly YOU'RE HERE. And flooded with information as well as things to do. Get through security, hand in your arrival card, don't lose your departure card, nothing to declare / find the luggage / everything here - trade some currency - find our ride. All went very smoothly / traffic not too bad to hotel - made plans with the guide to meet back at 5:30 for the evening.

Allie, Emmi and I went out for a walk. We found a Pizza Hut - I know - not venturing out too much yet on food - don't want to risk getting sick while trying to keep up with this. Started to observe / experience Asian traffic - moms and dads carrying infants on scooters - turning left with no right of way. Lots of people. Got back to the room with a pizza with 10 min to go before going downtown.

Took a cruise on the HuangPu river downtown between Pudong and the Bund. Very beautiful -high tech / modern on one side - older / traditional on the other. People everywhere. The river traffic was much like the street traffic - lots of cruise boats and barges / very close together but not actually making contact.

All fun, back to the room - jet lag hitting - crash.

Thanks all for your prayers and continued support during this.

D