China, Chapter 5: We’d like to check out, and then transfer everything from one suitcase to another right here in the middle of the lobby
March 9th, 2010
The color of these pearls is cool, but the luster is terrible-and the bracelet was... just OK. Nix it!
Our last day in China, Shannon and I woke up, had breakfast, and waited on our tailor to arrive to our room so we could try on the clothes we’d had made. While we were waiting, we checked out the English channel that was broadcasting a segment on the worst plane crashes in history-not exactly what you want to see before you fly over the north pole-and then a documentary on pigeon racing. Fascinating sport. Check out the YouTube teaser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adELd8RqTyk
Our Rhett Earrings in black, for sale in China... I'm flattered!
Hmmm... another No-Go!
When the tailor shows up, 2 of my dresses are just perfect! However, the shirt is less than perfect, to say the least. Shannon tried on her long, white lace skirt that hits the floor with beige lining, and a fabulous shirt, but her dress reminded us of the nightgown worn by the father in, ”Twas the Night Before Christmas”.
So, we send our tailor back out to fix my confused shirt and her dress-gone-nightie. Shannon and I head to the markets in search of a suitcase-mine broke on the way over. I REALLY want the lime green Samsonite hard case, but have a feeling that it might get flagged in customs… so I choose a conservative, brown suitcase and get charged way too much as they can tell I’m in a hurry.
We head back to the hotel to meet the tailor one last time, and to switch the entire contents of one suitcase to another. We had already checked out, so all of this happened in the middle of the main lobby.
Clothes are perfect. Suitcase is awesome, and we hail a cab to go to the airport. Before the driver even put the car in drive, am SUV backs into him. The two drivers argue for a while, in the rain, and Shannon and I are worried we’re going to miss our flight. We hop out of the cab and ask him to pop his trunk so we can find another cab. He’s yelling at us to stay inside, and yelling at the other driver… and then at us again… and finally when he is pretty sure we are going to pop the trunk ourselves and take our luggage out he puts on a smile and gets in the car ready to drive. Very odd.
At the ariport, it was a breeze checking in and getting through security. My trick is to avoid the economy class line is to simply get in the 3 person line for First Class. It works everytime.
We had some lunch and a bottle of wine in a cafe while we waited for all the other passengers who were waiting in the long lines to file in. I’ve scored us aisle seats for the flight back, and we rest the whole flight. The plane from Newark to Atlanta is tiny, cramped and has no blankets… so that was rough.
Shannon and I arrive in Atlanta at 11pm. I get dropped off at my apartment and take a long bath and put in DVDs of the Office to fall asleep. That never happens, and at 7am this morning I am finally feeling tired. I rest all day, and am determined to be in bed by midnight tonight. Wish me luck!
Ashley