Our first full day in Beijing was on Wednesday, August 2. The hot sun roasted Beijing and our tired bodies as we made our way to the school that would be the hub of our lives the next year. Scott and I already had to report for new teacher orientation. The kids were curious to get glimpses of their new life.

But first, I snapped a few pictures along the way. One of the first street images shot was this one of the buildings across the street from my cousin’s block. Strangely enough, after apartment hunting in at least a dozen complexes, many with multiple apartments, we rented a place in the building on the left:

A mile north, we arrived at the school – a Chinese private school for both Chinese citizens and international students. Most of the student population is Chinese. The international students are mostly children of teachers or Korean high school students.

About to walk through the front gate for the big reveal:

We had no idea that the beautiful blue sky with lovely white clouds was a rarity.

Pleasantly surprised with the Middle School/High School library. Yay!

Book-loving boys are happy.

And tired! Hello jet-lag. After the school visit a much-needed nap at my cousin’s home. Bless them for hosting us while we got situated.

Refreshed, the boys enjoyed a round of cards with their cousins and friends who we’d last seen in Virginia. Small world indeed. And their parents are the contacts who told us about the job openings…

Can’t forget our first meal out at the trendy pedestrian-style shopping mall by my cousin’s block. The largest pizzas we’d ever eaten. China has changed a lot in 22 years!