Finally... The Arrival

Trip Start Jun 09, 2009
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Trip End Jan 09, 2011


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Flag of China  , Shanghai,
Tuesday, July 7, 2009

We finally touched down in China after a 14 hour flight. The flight was OK considering the circumstances. First off, they seated us in the very back of the plane. Probably to minimize the possible swine flu outbreak if we actually did have it. My irritation was due mainly because we were the first people in line to check-in and I specifically asked to be placed near the wing with a window seat (my preference). The attendant assured me that she had given me the seats I requested and I didn't even think twice about confirming it by looking at the aisle and seat number on my boarding pass. Stupid me! I should've known better. Oh well... at least we were on the flight! I can't stress enough, how much displeasure I have for sitting in the read\r of the airplane. It's the absolute worst place in the entire airplane. For one, the tail moves around the most, whereas the middle is the most stabilized. Secondly, the kitchen and bathrooms are back there so you get all of the various noises and smells that come with them. Lastly, all of the passengers gather around the back area to stretch and relieve themselves from sitting for so long Landing in Shanghai 1
Landing in Shanghai 1
 . Adding to the displeasure was the fact that China Eastern Airlines is garbage. The service in the airport is horrendous, the in flight service is worse, the food was OK, and there is absolutely zero entertainment. Thank Buddha for PSP and MP3!!! I wish I could read on planes but for some reason I still can't do it. Nor can I sleep for decent periods of time so lengthy plane rides are tedious and frustrating. All of this plus the anticipation of a new expedition made landing in Shanghai all the more savory. As soon as the plane taxied off of the runway I unbuckled my seat belt, grabbed my backpack, and was ready to de-board. The captain decided to interrupt my ecstasy and started ranting in Chinese over the speakers. Then the passengers began to whisper to one another. Obviously, we were clueless. The doors were opened and the quarantine squad boarded, covered from head to toe in bio hazard gear. One by one every passenger's temperature was taken by pointing a laser at the middle of their forehead. As we were in the very back, we would be the last ones to have our temperature taken. All the while everyone had their cell phones and cameras out to capture the Hollywood-like scene. I joined the picture taking orgy accordingly. Ultimately, the bio hazard team reached us and took our temperature. First Val. Val's was a snap. Then I had the laser beam pointed directly at my forehead from close range. One second... two seconds... three seconds. At this point I was thinking, "what the hell is going on? why is it taking so long? do I have a fever? are they going to quarantine me? am I going to miss the summer camp and be out $8000 yuan?" A million questions passed through my head while the laser fixed steadily on it Landing in Shanghai 2
Landing in Shanghai 2
 . Finally, he stopped and looked at the back end of the laser pistol and shared the reading with his partner. They exchanged some Chinese gibberish and the other guy shoved a thermometer into some magic germ cleaning bottle and then into my face. Instinctively, I opened my mouth, lifted my tongue, and waited. He withdrew the thermometer, turned, and walked away. I wasn't positive that I was free to go but I wasn't about to wait and take any chances so we briskly exited the plane.

Now all that was left was passing through customs. I usually take meds with me on long plane rides and had some vicadin and percocet left over in my backpack. I wondered if it would be a problem since I didn't have a prescription. Then again, even if I did have a prescription it probably wouldn't matter. I was debating with myself as I walked towards customs if I should ditch the pills given the chance. Then I saw the customs personnel. It was deserted. All of the other passengers had already passed through and since we were delayed and at the back of the plane we would be the last ones to pass through customs. I saw a bathroom and went for it. I went into the stall, dumped the 8 pills into the toilet, relieved myself, and flushed. A liberating sense of relief passed through my body. Confidently, I walked up to the customs agent with my passport opened to the Chinese Visa page. She checked over our visas, stamped them, asked us what where we were going in China, and let us pass. "Damn it!" I thought. "I totally could've passed with the pills." Oh well, better safe than deported before even entering. Hopefully I won't be in need of any pain killers any time soon. Next stop... baggage claim.

We caught up to the rest of the passengers on the flight waiting for their baggage. While we were waiting I figured I'd take advantage of the money exchange conveniently located directly behind the luggage carousel. I exchanged about $200 usd and was ripped off completely. The exchange rate was OK but there was a flat rate service charge for exchanging money. The airport was taking advantage of the situation. Since you can't legally bring Yuan out of China it's impossible to bring them back in. So, basically, you have to exchange money in order to take a cab or bus into the city. I would soon learn the horrors of money exchange but that subject needs a blog of it's own. After the money exchange (robbery), we got our luggage and headed into the unknown. Clueless to the difficulties we would soon find waiting for us in the chaos of Shanghai.
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