Welcome to China!

August 22/23

I am on the plane row 34 seat E, right smack dab in the middle of the plane. If you know me, I like my space, especially with people I don’t know. I have thirteen hours of flying time ahead of me.
The flight was uneventful. Over the course of the flight they served us chicken and rice, wine, pretzels, noodles, water, fruit … typical airplane food. Overall the food was good and service was great. They gave us earphones, so I watched four movies, slept, and listened to music. I get up from my seat from time to time and stretch.

Time shift – 14h00 (CST) –

It is August 23rd and I am 34 minutes from landing in Beijing. We have been flying at an altitude of 30 to 35 thousand feet at 552 mph. I can’t believe that I traveled 6766 miles today. I am looking at the online map and I am dumbfounded that I am in China. It’s surreal.

I disembark the plane. It is humid. Once inside the airport, I get to the customs officer. I hand over my passport and work visa. I stand before a camera and my face is matched to my passport using facial recognition software. Welcome to China!
I follow the crowd to a train which takes me to baggage claim. I find my luggage and make my way out the doors. I was told the outgoing principal (Sylvie) would be there to pick me up. I would know who she was because she would be holding a sign with my name on it. First, I am astonished at the sheer number of people outside the doors. Then I begin looking for the “sign” and every second person seems to be holding a sign. I found Sylvie and the drivers without delay. I also meet Bob, my assistant and two teachers Eric and Emma.


We drive from Beijing to my apartment in Wudiq. I live in a newer high rise building. I am on the third floor. Sylvie has arranged everything. I have a clean 2 bedroom apartment with living area, kitchen and bathroom. The school even provided me with my next day’s breakfast. How wonderful.

I freshen up and we go for dinner. First we walk to the school which is literally 5 minutes from my door. The school is huge. We walk up 4 flights of stairs and I bring my passport to Krissy as she needs to inform the government that I am where I am supposed to be. Then Emma and Sylvie suggest this hole in the wall close to my apartment. I had a cold Chinese “Snow” beer, string beans, chicken and green pepper, and eggplant . It was all delicious. For four people, including alcohol, we ate for 54 RMB. That is $8.30 (CAN). Overall, food and drink are incredibly good and cheap.