The Wixo's Shanghai Move & Adventure: The Trip

The trip on the plane was somewhat eventful as we thought that Ava was going to be the sparkplug and not want to sit in one spot for 12+ hours. But it was quite the opposite as Caden couldn't get comfortable and we later found out that he indeed did have an ear infection. He did sleep the first half of the trip but was very uncomfortable on the 2nd half of the flight to Tokyo and the final leg from Tokyo to Shanghai. Sabrina and I took turns walking with him around and around the cabin. On the other hand, Ava was just taking all of the activity in and watched as she was seeing so many "new" things for the first time. I don't think she mumbled a cry the whole flight - well maybe one or two.

We arrived at 8:30 pm Tuesday the 13th of February with six large suitcases, one diaper bag, one camera bag, one car seat, two coats that we no longer needed because sub zero temperatures are non existent in Shanghai, two weathered and weary kids and two very tired parents. Before we left the US, we arranged for a driver to pick us up and as we exited the Customs area there was a small Chinese man in a suit holding a sign "Tony Wixo". You would have thought we just met Jesus Christ himself as we were just relieved to get to our new home as soon as possible. It was kind of comical. Our first full day in China would be Valentine's Day.

Below is the house we arrived at located in BelleWood Villas that we will be calling home. It is located in the Pudong area of Shanghai and is about 25 minutes from the international airport and about 15 minutes from the central downtown area of Pudong, Shanghai and about 20 minutes from Tony's work (in good traffic). The house is located on the outer edge of complex and immediately behind our house - like literally 10 ft - is the club for the complex that has a small convenience store, children's play area, guest rooms, a swimming pool, and other ammenties. BelleWood's homes are built in a "western style" and they have everything from GE appliances to the standard wall plugs that Americans are used to. However, everything here is 220 not 110. Tony already fried our baby