The Plane Ride

Plane rides:

(Warning: This entry talks about poop. Warning: All foreign people in China here talk about their bowel movements.)

So. As you see in the last update, I missed a flight. I had about 20 minutes to make it from one end of lax to the other- out one terminal and into another, plus security- and by the time I made it to security, the airline had closed the gate.

I was told to go back to united for some sort of “proof of delay” which was translated as “delay verification”. The United agent was very sweet to me when she realized I’d been waiting for an agent all night- maybe a half-hour of laying down. I got a 15 dollar food voucher, which I used on fruit and water, and a ham sandwhich. Soon it became apparent I wasn’t hungry, which was a problem- I like fruit, and I hate wasting food. So I forced myself to eat a couple more bites.

Aside from the food voucher, I also got a new ticket to CGO. The entire time I was in contact with my family, with the OEC, with Daniel Y., and the people here- via e-mail. Still, I was nervous I’d have to take a taxi or something. By myself.

I then was told to go downstairs to baggage, and I did. The lady there told me my bag was with Air China and they’d request to have it sent to United, or to meet up with me.

What happened with my bag: My bag was not on the same flight I was in Shanghai. But, as I rounded the conveyer belt of baggage, I saw the familiar neon green. Air China had sent it through and mentioned the flight I’d be arriving on. It was waiting for me.

That was probably the highlight of this trip, that my bag, which I was validly considering to not see for weeks, was right there, patiently waiting for myself. That was probably the point in which I felt I would come out of this travel okay.

Well, on the ride to Shanghai, the lady had given me a free upgrade to economy plus. This meant I had 5 more inches of leg-room in which I could continue pretending like I can sleep on planes. I dunno why, I just can’t sleep on planes. And as we continue the 12:50 plane ride, I realize two things: I would so like a shower at this point it hurts, and I have serious indigestion issues.

Normally, one would pass a fart. But for some reason my body was rebelling against this, and sending all the extra air into my stomach. The only release I had was some burping, and finally at about 2 hours left, I realized I was going to be sick to my stomach. I raced to the bathroom, but sat down and realized the reason I wasn’t farting was because my body somehow knew- I had liquid stools.

Well, that was disheartening. I think by that point I stayed on the toilet as long as I cold, attempting to rid my body of the extra air. I didn’t throw up, but as I returned to my seat I came quite close to a breakdown. I was still sick from a fucking week ago, and the all-nighter had allowed the virus/thing to regroup. I wanted to be home, to be sleeping, to be anywhere but in a plane where I couldn’t fall asleep.

I realized I no longer wanted to eat, and so I didn’t- I skipped the next meal, not even taking the snacks for my own later. Sadness. As I’m not hungry now, I don’t regret that- but I will, I am sure.

Then we arrived in Shanghai, where all the Mandarin in the world would not help me. Well, it would, but it was nice to believe the above. It made me feel better about being foreign. Customs was easy. I was not searched at all, which was a bit surprising, but since I had nothing to hide from Chinese officials (like any good visitor), I was not worried. The same thing happens in the states, actually. (I did manage to visit an ATM at this time).

Then I had to check-in at Shanghai airlines. Taxi drivers approached me wondering if I needed help- when I requested check-in, they disappointedly told me upstairs (They were actually taxi drivers of "Black Cars", taxis that rip off foreigners). I went upstairs, was shuffled around by many people who didn’t want to process my ticket (eventually, I got an exit row), went through Shanghai security which was awesome. No long lines, because there were many machines and people to man them. I was wand searched, but whatever. As I said earlier, I’m not bringing anything into China that would be dangerous. The security lines were short, too. To make lines shorter, there were about 16 metal detectors, and 8 of them open and manned. This meant there was one person in front of me, and we were all called through. It was bliss.

As I walked through the airport wing, I was taken aback. It felt more shopping mall than airport, and as I passed a huge, indoor waterfall, I was convinced this area had been shopping first, and airport second. Being very thirsty, I found a vendor who sold water and found a fruit drink I loved in Japan- it’s like V8 juice, but with more veggies and fruits, and less tomatoes.

I dislike tomatoes.

Then I flew Shanghai airlines, still reeking, still tired, and was able to black-out at least, for short periods of time. I also refused the snack (several crackers, cookies, and a wrap plus water) offered. And the newspapers. But the thought was appreciated. I did take more water. (When I travel, I make every effort to take water for fear the jetlag will dehydrate me and so I over compensate water. however, the opportunities to get it are low, so no, the water wasn't the cause of my indigestion).

Then I arrived at Zhengzhou, my destination, and was in baggage claim, and my body decided that though I had put up a really good effort it could no longer deal with my issues. I started sadly leaking. Afraid of the amount of liquid, I did what any woman does when she’s afraid there are spots on her behind- I wrapped my jacket around my waist, providing a visual cover.

As I made my way out, two people found me, a man and a woman, with a sign saying "BELOIT" and they took my things, and helped me find the bathroom. They’d also be escorting me to a car, that I thought was a taxi but there was no meter so whatevers. They were very sweet people indeed, and they rode with me and more importantly- I got picked up. Not everyone here can say that.

Then I made my way to the bathroom, a reminder that now I was looking for a Western style toilet (they had one) and to take tissues from this moment on.

So glad I packed those. Alas, they were not as helpful as they were being held by the woman picking me up waiting outside the bathroom, but whatevs. Whatevs.

They put me in a car ride, and it was another hour (I’m not sure how many hours in transit, now, but my original was 29 hours of travel, arriving at Zhengzhou at 2:30, so at 11:30pm add another 9 and… 38, 39. 39 hours or so of traveling).

39 hours. At least.

HOW DID I ONLY SLEEP FOUR HOURS

Anyway

Then I got to my apartment, told I could have an upstairs or downstairs apartment (chose upstairs, why not), and then climbed stairs and saw pieces of the apartment, and was left struggling on how to work my door as everyone left. In the cool fog, leaking and tired, I was struggling to figure out how my door worked.

Well, I managed it somehow, but now my first request is laundry soap.

ALSO I GOT TO SHOWER AND BY GOD IT WAS A GOOD FEELING