Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Starting the Journey


 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.

#GirlyPirateInChina #China #Pudong #education #KeiserUniversity #lifedoesntsuck


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