We're Finally Done Circumnavigating the Globe

We're back!!

We can now officially say that we've circumnavigated the globe and are quite exhausted from doing so. In all, we've taken 12 flights, 3 road trips (7 hours or greater), countless rides on the subway, one boat, and a high speed train. We've slept in airplanes, hotels, tents, cars, condos, and even in an airport. We visited 5 museums, 3 cathedrals, and one castle. In a word, we're pooped.

After setting foot in six different countries in the past 5 weeks (China, Qatar, England, France, Ireland, and the U.S.), it's safe to say that we're tired of traveling and just want to sit down and relax for a little while.

The trip back from Dallas was pretty uneventful. On the plus side, our flight from San Fransisco to Beijing wasn't even half full, so we spread out and each got a whole row to lay down and sleep. Very, very nice. Of course, such a great flight wouldn't be complete without a mishap with the baggage, where we ended up waiting 4 hours in the baggage concourse while a nice (yet slightly confused) couple went to their hotel and realized they had picked up our blue bag instead of their blue bag. We're thankful that we at least got it back with nothing missing.

Because we arrived in Beijing a day after the Olympic closing ceremonies we were hoping we might catch a glimpse of some famous athletes walking around the Terminal 3 airport. Alas, Michael Phelps was nowhere to be found so we had to settle for taking a flight with the Tajikistan wrestling team. Their claim to fame? They won a silver and a bronze medal and one athlete was disqualified for pulling a Mike Tyson (i.e. he bit his opponent). Not quite the high-caliber athletes we were hoping for, but hey, have you met any medal winners from Tajikistan lately? I didn't think so.

We'll leave you today with some pictures of the time we had at home with our friends during our whirlwind tour of the world. Thanks to everybody who took time to see us, talk to us, ask us questions, and just remind us that we're still loved back in America. Thank you!

Tom & Joanna, our friends in England who graciously hosted us during our London visit. It was a blast being with you!


My sister Megan, left, who gave us a tour of her life in Pennsylvania. I miss you already, Meg.


Pastor Terry (and wife not pictured), Gerber family friends who have supported us with many "thoughts" throughout our marriage and time in China.


The Bensons, who took time out of their weekend to come up and spend a few days with us.


My Great Aunt Ruth, who took us out to eat and who has apparently made us famous at "The Wellington". Hope our stories entertain you. We were very glad to see you.

Others we are so thankful to have spent time with but don't have pictures of (yet): The 3 Great Aunts who traveled from Ohio - you're so much fun to be with! Grandma Hayes who traveled from Arizona - we're so glad we got to spend time with you. Pastor Rick & Denise, Jeff Aslesen, Richard & Kristen Tousley (& wonderful kids), Uncle Doug (pictured above), Tiff's Wylie friends (Racheal, Megan, & Ashley), Levi, Nathan, and of course our wonderful families. We were busy, but we don't regret it because we are blessed.