Nanjing

Ni hao! We left the beautiful Xi'an, the sun was out and everything has dried after days of light rain. The hostel staff got us a taxi to the airport (prepaid) and got us both to there in no time. We had to wait to check-in as they only have a specific counter for a specific flight/time. Our flight to Nanjing was at 3:25 p.m. and we boarded a small leer jet-type of plane (seating was 1 and 2) really small plane.

From the air we could see the same thing that covered Beijing, thick smog. The weather is warmer here as we are about 1,000 miles south of Xi'an. There wasn't that many people in the airport, only a couple or so planes, and the baggage claim area was almost bare save for the few passengers and some people waiting at the outside area.

Peter bought a map of Nanjing from the bookstore located at the waiting area. We proceeded outside to the Airport bus ticket counter. Bought two tickets to the bus going straight to the city center, near Golou.

The ride took about 45 minutes, passing through places that have been developed into suburbs full of big condo buildings. Reminds us of places in the US. Even their roads are very impressive.

The airport bus stopped at several places before ending at Shanghai road where a representative from our hostel was waiting for us. We had no idea that the bus would stop there, thought it would stop at the main Gulou square but we were a bit far from there. It is really fortunate that he was there to meet us. To get to the hostel we needed to flag a cab which was difficult due to the fact it was Friday and during rush hour. Right there I said quietly that someone will come, immediately a man in a minivan (private) stopped we thought he knew our hostel guide but it turns out he was offering to take us to where we were for only 20 yuan (for the 3 of us). I was so amazed at the power of prayer/manifestation and thankful that the guy was nice enough to take us. The ride to the hostel took 30 minutes.

We were quite happy that things have turned out this way for us. As I prayed before we left for Shanghai from Hong Kong that the way be made smooth before us, I am truly grateful for this truth as evidenced by the experiences we have had so far.

Our hostel is part of the Hostel International network and is located in the Fuzimiao district which turns out to be really a happening place with lots of lights at night and river cruises right next door to us. We will be here for two full days then take the train to Hangzhou. We will try to check out the first Yangtze River bridge here in Nanjing while we're here (I have a picture take with our UP Cherubim and Seraphim right next to the bridge in 1982).

Thank God for our safe trip here to Nanjing. Till next post....