Oh yes, today was International Panda Travel Day, complete with VIP send off and FedEx playing chauffeur!

At the Atlanta Zoo Mei Lan was up two hours earlier than usual to catch her flight to DC to pick up Tai Shan who, I guess, got to sleep in.

Atlanta's new mayor Kasim Reed acknowledged Mei Lan's impact on this community while she was here ...but also expressed hope for her future. He said she would always be remembered. And with a laugh he wished that she would be fruitful and multiple. Then the Panda Express taxied to the runway under a ceremonial water cannon salute...and off she went...first to Washington D.C. to pick up another giant panda cub, Tai Shan.

Both Pandas are headed to the Chengdu panda reserve for breeding. Although born at the Atlanta Zoo, Mei Lan is still the property of the Chinese government.

Bye bye kids, don't forget to write!