Day one was supposed to go something like this: Take the high speed train to Beijing, take a taxi to the airport, fly to Xilinhot, get picked up by the event coordinator. Instead when we arrived at the train station in Beijing all of the taxi signs were "X'ed" out and we couldn't find the taxi stands. However, there was a sign for an airport shuttle. Feeling brave, we picked up the tickets and hopped on the shuttle bus - to the wrong airport. Instead of a 10 minute trip to what we would eventually find to be the tiniest airport in Beijing, we took the one hour ride to the real airport only then to be turned around. Thankfully, we had a 3 hour layover so we still had plenty of time. Feeling annoyed (and realizing I under packed with regards to food alternatives), we decided to hit McDonalds for a last burger in the big airport.
Upon arrival at the correct airport, we were thinking we were going to be boarding a crop duster or sopwith camel.
Not making me feel better. There were only four gates, come on! What good does this airport do in a city of over 20 million?!?!?! Close it down and move on!
Whew, a real plane! But no jetway, instead a couple hundred yard stroll in the drizzling rain to get the blood moving.
After an hour flight and a two hour bus ride, we finally made it in the hotel! We were led upstairs for our "banquet meal". Above is the sauce at dinner - I'll pass. We would come to find out we would get the same food for every meal over the next few days, so I passed on the sauce a few times. Oh and, not just the same dishes, the same food. :(
Feeling a lot better about the accomodations; and they were relatively clean too!
Well, that was it for day one - just another Laowei travel experience. Here's a teaser of what we were about to encounter to keep you hooked:
Loving the panoramic setting!
No comments:
Post a Comment