The 72 hours before I left went by like a blur. There was so
much to do: packing, phone calls, lists of things that would need done while I
was gone, calling banks and bills, etc…so much to do and so very little time.
Seriously there was barley time to breathe.
We left the house at 3am to make
it to the airport on time. Tampa International was quiet and efficient. Sadly,
I did not get felt up by TSA. They were quick to board us for the 4-hour flight
to LAX. This leg of the journey was fairly unremarkable. Delta had wonderful
service and kept us comfortable. I was excited to get to LAX as I had seen it
on TMZ so many times, I was sure I would get to see a celebrity.
LAX was a real disappointment.
Not only were there no movie stars, the airport had a poor design and was hard
to get around. The international terminal was not easy to find. You have to
take a bus from the regular terminal. There was an older Chinese lady who spoke
no English, she had been on the flight from Tampa, and no one would help her. I
looked at her and said ‘Shanghai’ and she shook her head. So, I grabbed her
hand and took her with me. When we got to the International terminal, she was
able to find another person who spoke Chinese to tell me ‘Thank you’. She was
so grateful, she kept putting grapes in my hand. I was thankful for this as
there was a 4-hour layover and though there was a bar, there was really no
place to get food. The only really good thing I can say is that the bathrooms
were clean. TSA here ransacked my luggage and left me a note. I was able to get
a 20oz bottle of coke for $4. The line to board the airbus was crazy long.
Once onboard, it was like
entering a different world. Delta gave us blankets, slippers and travel
pillows. The flight attendants were beautiful and professional. Our every want
or need was seen to and they were so VERY polite. The passengers were relaxed
and seemed as though a 13-hour flight was just another day at the beach. They
served 2 meals and snacks. Part way through the trip the turbulence started. It
reminded me of being in a horse and carriage on a cobblestone street. I tried
to watch movies or sleep and not focus on it but, my stomach was having a hard
time. My American cell had quit working somewhere over Russia and I was worried
my ride would not be able to find me. The turbulence stopped just before we got
to Shanghai International.
They disembarked us on the tarmac
where they had buses waiting to take us to the terminal. It was very clean and
well-marked. As a foreigner you get your picture and fingerprints taken. Next up
was a yellow ‘health’ machine that you step in, if your scan is clean you move
on if not you go to quarantine. Then to a second check point where everyone (foreign
and domestic) gets their picture and fingerprints taken. From here, the assault
to the senses begins – vendors signs, video billboards on your way to baggage
claim. The customs line moved quickly and down a short hall to find your ride.
It was the end of the short hall that was something I was not prepared for,
there were a sea of faces. Even at rock concerts in large venues, I had never
seen so many people in one place. My head was spinning. I kept walking until I
heard someone yell my name. John and Bella grabbed me. We had to hunt the parking
structure for our ride but, we found him, and we were off.
I feel that Shanghai drivers have
to be some of the best in the world. Growing up in Massachusetts, I am used to
crazy drivers, but they seemed normal compared to this. Cars and vespa like
motor bikes bob and weave down the road like a frightening ballet. Road signs
had blue and red strobes, there was a symphony of horns, and looking at the
roads one could note how clean it all was. I was impressed at how polite the
drivers were with each other. This would probably account for the lack of
accidents.
We dropped my bags at the dorm,
and they took me to dinner. We were going to have pizza but, it was due to
close in 15 minutes and John told me the lady did not want to be troubled – you
would never hear that from PaPa Johns in America. We found a cute little place
to eat in the mall. At this point it was 9pm and john explained that the city
rolled up the sidewalks at 10. I had a steak;
it was served with a fried egg and veggies I had never seen before. The beef
had a very fresh flavor and since there were no condiments (of any kind), I
used the yolk as a dipping sauce for the beef and veggies. There is no salt or
pepper or butter or soy or duck sauce or bread provided with a meal. I had to go the bathroom and John
warned me that public bathrooms here were not the same as what I was used to.
Bella brought me to the bathroom. I saw porcelain holes in the floor and asked
if we were in the men’s room. Bella is Chinese and did not quite comprehend my
dismay. I asked if there was a bowl…lol – she though I meant a soup bowl. Now
we both had a dismayed look. I found a stall at the back with a toilet bowl.
When I pointed and said, ‘toilet bowl’, we both laughed relieved. It was now
she handed me toilet paper as it was not provided, and she explained about the ‘good
paper’ – this was more like Scott tissue than Charmin. When we finished, we
jumped in a taxi and headed back to the campus.
Back at the dorm that night I was
happy my room had a regular toilet. John was nice enough to give me a roll of ‘good
paper’. I was quite exhausted as I had not really slept since Saturday and it
was now Monday night. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed – sights, sounds, smells,
flavors – all new to me…it was so much to take in. I woke several times through
the night and each time started unpacking my luggage until I needed sleep
again. This place was strange, beautiful and wonderful and it would be my home
for the next 9 months. I missed being home but, if I could not be there this
was the next best place.
