The passport has returned to me, with a new one enclosed.

I’m still not quite sure how I feel about this new passport as the quotes and photos on the pages make it a little over the top (in my opinion). I mean, why are there so many bison and eagles? The pioneers and all are also a little bit much. I guess it’s just added incentive to keep the travels rolling. As my husband so lovingly put it, ”but dear, there are no communist country stamps in this one. I like the old one better.”

Thus, I’m going to get straight to work as without the stamps I may not get the same warm reception as last christmas when we arrived in customs. Those gentlemen were so kind they even were nice enough to repack our suitcases after dismantling all of our packing without so much as a reason for search. It’s nice to be so welcomed by your own country after a year away. (For the record, yes, I know they can search without giving a reason, but that doesn’t mean I agree with it.)

That said, we are off to Hong Kong next month but there’s a good chance we might have to cancel that trip in lieu of a work trip to one of my favorite places in the world.

Beijing! or Peking as they still refer to it around here..

We shall see this week.