I'm safe and sound among friends in Hangzhou!
My trip was extremely smooth. I got to O'Hare early and spent very little time getting through security and then, once in Shanghai, I was quick through customs with my bags. I am taking Scarlett's advice to heart, though, and have definitely depended on the kindness of strangers to help me get on the right bus to Hang Zhou (a three hour trip from the airport) and get me into a taxi once I arrived. Thank god I had all sorts of addresses and instructions written in Chinese characters, because I seriously only know "hello" and "thank you".
If anyone is wondering what 14.5 hours feels like, get on a direct flight to Shanghai! I was very lucky that there was room for my seatmate to move so I could stretch my legs. Actually, besides the atrocious food, the flight wasn't that bad. Shanghai from the air is a sight to see. You can tell how monstrously large it is. And there are clusters of identical apartment buildings dotting the landscape as we closed in for our landing. I didn't think to dig out my camera, but I'll try to take some aerial shots on my way home.
Once I arrived at the hostel, all was easy as well. Elaine made sure I was staying on her floor, just a couple of doors down. She's studying acupuncture here and is staying with her friend Amy. They took me to a restaurant down the block that they refer to as "Rosy Cheeks." The name became apparent when we entered and were greeted by rosy-cheeked waitresses (it's very warm in there). You are given a list of ingredients that you check off and they bring you a bowl with broth and you add your vegs and meats. Elaine and Amy showed me how they use their Mandarin guides to navigate as best they can through the menu. They did make a mistake and had a funny conversation with the wait staff trying to explain they didn't want lettuce but spinach. The broth and vegs were good on my stomach, which is fairly freaked out from the amount of time I've been up and the terrible airplane food.
Tomorrow the girls are in class til 4, but I've got a bike at my disposal, a map and my Mandarin guide to get me through the day. Wish me luck! You should see the bikers here in Hangzhou! There are so many! The city is quite alive and bustling with lots of bright, blinking lights. I hadn't realized that the city was the size of Chicago. Everything seems large here in China!
HI CLAIRE!
(I'm yelling cuz you're so far away...)
:)
Sounds so cool so far! Have fun and keep us updated.
BYE!
Posted by: blue girl | March 22, 2007 at 11:31 AM
I hope you got some sleep. Eric is here for the weekend. He is going to Columbus for a Saturday night gig at Nathan's gallery. Tonight he is having dinner with David A. and others from high school. Otherwise all is quiet on the home front. Kris and Vince are coming this wkend due to the fact that they still can't get enough stem cells because her red blood count is too low. She may have to rely on donor blood which means three months in the hospital in a sterile ward. That might kill her before the cancer does. It is all so iffy. The irony is their vote (and great admiration) for Geo. Bush these past elections. We dare not mention politics. Life can be so burlesque we should all be comedians. Love, M
Posted by: Kate | March 23, 2007 at 12:53 PM
Claire! You made it! It sounds wonderfully exciting. I hope the rest of the trip goes as well as the beginning.
Posted by: Jennifer | March 24, 2007 at 12:51 PM
So intrepid, Claire! It all sounds wonderful. Do most people ride bicycles? Or are there cars and congestion like other cities?
Posted by: grasshopper | March 24, 2007 at 06:10 PM