Buenos Dias Family and Friends -

After several years of planning and some last minute changes we are under way! Over the next 46 days we will be visiting 1 Olympics, 6 Continents, 17 Countries and 22 cities. We will be in the air for approximately 100 hours traveling 34,000 miles on 20 different flights and 9 different carriers. We also will be taking an overnight train from Hong Kong to Shanghai. We will be staying at Marriott's throughout the trip (of course) and the trip received an exciting boost when the Marriott Rewards team upon learning of the trip/use of Marriott points offered to assist in coordinating with all the hotels. Thank you Marriott! The original plan for a leisurely drive to JFK from DC and a quick stop to visit the cousins evaporated when we pulled out of the driveway at 3:20 pm for a 10:00 pm departure --- a detour to DCA and the USAir Shuttle put us back on track. I just felt we needed one more flight! I have never written or read a blog before, but paraphrasing Mark Twain I will try to have each entry have a good beginning, a good end and very little in-between! We look forward to sharing the trip with you and welcome any comments on places we should see, things we should do from our well-travelled friends. Adios!