First, the airport send off. A big thank you to everyone who came out. It means a lot to me. For the friend who bought me a tin foil type card with a controversial envelope, you'll be pleased to know that security check did catch me with it! It wasn't the envelope that they cared about, but rather that I went through the metal detector with a piece of tin foil in my back pocket (I hadn't opened it at that point). Pretty funny.
The flight. China Eastern Airlines is tres ghetto and met all of my wildest expectations. Lets just say flying with Air Canada is preferable to China Eastern. Yes, the plane was old and didn't have an AC adapter or personal inflight entertainment (in true China fashion they had these rickety TVs that would pop out of the ceiling and allow everyone to share). I was initially seated under one of the TVs, but it sounded like it would fall out when it was coming down. My row also didn't have a desk tray for some reason, so I decided to change seats, which I would come to regret later- the row behind me became the unofficial baby calming section. Parents and grandparents from all over the plane would make the pilgrimmage to that row to quel their little emperors' cries. The meals were typical airline fare, but for snacks they served tuna-mixed-with-ham sandwiches, which were strange but tasty.
I didn't mind the fact that my flight was all of these things, but the stewardesses were rather unfriendly and I think that was the worst part of the trip. I think I have generally been spoiled when it comes to flights and never really had a bad experience with the inflight service before. Maybe it was because the plane was under-capacity or it was rough weekend for them. Oh well, welcome to China!
I arrived at Pudong International Airport and went through customs without a hitch. In the arrivals reception area, one of the company's drivers, Wu was waiting for me with a sign in hand. He didn't speak a word of English, but I managed to summon the remnants of all the Mandarin I remembered from school to communicate with him. He drove one of the company's Volkswagens and was very nice. We talked about family and women from Suzhou (which is where he's from).
One interesting thing I observed is that he spoke in a very hushed, quiet, polite tone when he was chatting with me. But as soon as one of his local coworkers called him, he was loud and brash. I think he didn't really know what to do with me because I look Chinese (I mean I am Chinese), but don't speak Chinese as he understands it.
The drive to the hotel took about an hour and a half. Traffic wasn't bad... I think Anting is just far away from the airport. I was entertained by all the men who pulled off to the side of a 120km/hr freeway to take a leak with reckless abandon. There are a lot of Volkswagens and Buicks (hatchbacks) on the roads in Shanghai. Almost all of them are 4-door person sedans or the white "triad" vans, tailored for the Chinese market.
I'm staying at the F1 Holiday Hotel, which is perhaps the coolest name ever for a hotel! The name is derived from Anting's proximity to the Shanghai International Circuit, which will be hosting F1 in October (saved for another post).
The hotel (and the area) I'm staying in is very new. The room I'm staying in is large and comfortable. Here are some pics (click to expand):
What the pictures don't show is the bathroom. Although my room is labeled as business, the bathroom cries honeymoon suite. I think it's the cheesy lighting and big square bath tub that achieves this. I'm not complaining though... I'll be soaking in it often, as this room will be my home for the next two weeks.
The hotel is almost brand new... and relatively uninhabited. In fact, I think I am the only person staying at my hotel right now. Last night, I ate dinner in the hotel. I think six people were serving me because I was the only person there. I had chili chicken rice and a Coke for 38 kuai. It was pretty good.
Alright, now I have to get ready for my first day at the job that brought me here in the first place. The shuttle bus gets here at 0845.
6 comments:
Your place looks pretty nice but that sink area looks a bit suspect. It has a laboratory feel to it. Are you sure it's not an organ harvesting room. ;-)
the room looks pretty sweet. hope your not jet lagged, since it sounds like you'll be going full swing into work.
F1 hotel eh...i guess i'd be glad it wasn't the F4 hotel...that might be scary.
glad to hear you arrived in China safely.
just wondering... why did Wu talk to you about the women in Suzhou? (i know he's from Suzhou...but why women? what happened to talking about the weather?)
Yeah JL, we're very interested to hear about your conversation with Wu.. :>
BTW, the lab-like sink, the big square tub (that will hold lots of ice), the uninhabited hotel. It all makes sense.
I hear there is a strong market for chinese-canadian kidneys.
wow, what kind of moronic friend gives a card that would set off a metal detector... ;)
I love your detailed accounts of your experiences thus far. The plane ride was most entertaining! Did you book your return flight with China Eastern as well? Or have you booked it?
Anyways, looks like they got you set up in a pretty nice hotel, plus no one can complain about 6 servers. Seriously though? the only one in the hotel? wow
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