Sorry for the delay!

It is 6:30am and we have had an interesting 21 hours here.

We had a very quick and pleasant flight from Korea and were met at the Shenyang airport by our housing agent, Lois, and our driver, Mr. You.  Another man was there to transport our luggage to the hotel.  The drive took about a half hour and we got to see lots of construction going on and found out some details about our apartment showings coming up on Friday.  We are staying at the Traders Hotel on one of the major shopping streets in Shenyang and although the staff is exceptional, we are going to see about switching to another hotel this morning.  Unfortunately this one doesn't have a pool or air conditioning and we were put in a smoking room.  Poor Ryan has had a fever since Korea and it was incredibly hot in here yesterday.  I wasn't feeling too well either as I may have a bug of some sort plus we are all getting quite tired.  It wasn't that hot outside but the sun was beating in the windows heating it up.  We eventually had them open the windows which did cool it down but the kids and I all starting coughing so I have closed them again this morning.

We did venture out for a little while yesterday during a period when everyone was feeling well enough.  We walked to Walmart which is only a couple of blocks away and it was another interesting experience.  When you first walk in there is a lot of prepared food for sale and when you aren't feeling that great the smell can just about put you over the edge.  Nick had to hold his nose and I just sort of ran through until we were past the worst of the smells.  Any other time it probably wouldn't have bothered me.  Anyway, we shopped around and managed to find some food to keep in the hotel and a toy excavator for Ryan.  We got through the checkout without too much trouble although while we were waiting in line a young woman came up behind Nicholas and tickled the back of his neck.  She was trying to get him to look at her so her boyfriend could take his picture with her cell phone.  He wasn't having any of that and buried his face in my leg.  All along the walk people were looking, smiling and chatting to the kids.  (On the plane, as Ryan walked by the people to our seats they touched his arm and gave a little squeeze.)  The really do love the blond hair.  As we went into another store on our walk to find a toy for Nick a group of girls started cooing at Ryan and trying to get him to look at them.  We stopped and said "Ni hao" and when Ryan looked at them and they saw his blue eyes the just about went nuts.  We had to move on as it was freaking him out.

Luckily the next store had a great selection of toys and we got Nick another excavator and dump truck then happened to find a small air hockey table that has already provided a great deal of entertainment.  The prices were very good as was the cost of the food.  Canadian money really does go a long way over here.  We were all feeling kind of low before we went out for our stroll but fortunately our children can be bought and the mood was more cheerful when we got back.

Last night wasn't a great night for sleeping as Ryan still had his fever and Tim and I were up for half the night, unable to sleep.  Whether it is nerves, jet lag or the time change I'm not sure but it was kind of lousy.  We are doing okay though and looking forward to our city tour today.  I still feel that in the long run we are really going to like it here but that first day was pretty rough.  Not so much homesickness as just being overwhelmed with the lack of sleep, "normal" food, not feeling well and not being in the hotel that we had hoped.  Tim was a rock though and made me feel better - no tears!  Nicholas has been a little ray of sunshine; smiling, playing and being as nice to his little brother who hasn't been feeling well.  I'm sure everyday will get better and better.  I also find this blog to be like therapy and the comments are wonderful to get, both here and on Facebook - when I can get on it.  I've had a little trouble with the VPN but I will get it worked out later.

So here are a few pictures from Toronto, Korea to the time we arrived in Shenyang.  After that I didn't pick up the camera so my description will have to be enough.  It takes a long time to upload the pictures so this is all I have for now.

Have a great night/day, wherever you are!

The Korean toilet/bidet.  Nick got a real kick out of this!

At Seoul airport, the kids were hungry so the lady gave them some Dunkin Donuts before she had a chance to unload them!

Incheon Airport, Seoul

Korean Airlines Flight Attendant

Loading up luggage in Shenyang