Rhapsody in Blue

Well, Kim already told you when we're leaving (next Friday, July 27th) - so I'll tell you that we'll be there in China thru Wednesday, Aug. 8th. I'll also share our itinerary...

• Friday 7/27: Depart Chicago (about noon)
• Saturday 7/28: Arrive Beijing - then quick flight to Nanchang
• 7/28 - 8/3: in Nanchang at the Jiangxi Hotel
• Friday 8/3: Flight from Nanchang to Guangzhou
• 8/3 - 8/8: in Guangzhou at the White Swan Hotel
• Wednesday 8/8: Flights from Guangzhou to Hong Kong, then Hong Kong back to O'Hare. That all only takes about 6 hours because we leave at 8:30 in the morning and arrive in Chicago at about 2:30 that same day in the afternoon. Must be the jetstream that makes the plane go super-fast (joke)

Once we got the email from the agency with our itinerary, we were given 48 hours to declare whether we are travelling with the group, etc. I spent about 2 hours on the phone with United today working the frequent flier miles angle (and about an hour + :30 listening to Rhapsody in Blue while on hold). Here's where we ended up...

• Kyle paid 65% of a full-fare economy ticket (on an 'adoption fare' from United)
• Jillian's one-way "lap seat" home was 10% of the parent's fare (also an 'adoption fare' thing from United)
• Kim's ticket was "free" (we used frequent flier miles - unfortunately had to use a "standard" award because of the tight timing - 120,000 miles! gulp! instead of United's "saver" award. That's OK - what would we have used these miles for anyway?)
• Kyle subscribed to an "Economy Plus Access" program (using another 40,000 miles) - so our fingers are crossed that we'll get a little extra space on the flight. Not business class or first class - but who has $7000 (each) to pay for plane tickets laying around anyway?

The travel agency (through our adoption agency) will take care of all the in-country travel arrangements, hotels, etc...